Low Headroom Garage Doors

When it comes to installing a garage door, one crucial factor often overlooked is headroom. Most standard garage doors require a minimum of 12 inches of headroom above the opening to allow the door sections to clear the radius and travel smoothly to the horizontal tracks.

This requirement becomes a challenge for houses with living spaces above the garage, limiting the available space for the door to operate. Additionally, if you plan on installing a garage door opener, you’ll need an extra two and a half inches of headroom. So, what do you do if your garage lacks the necessary headroom?

Headroom Considerations

Understanding the significance of headroom is essential. It determines the smooth functioning of the garage door and becomes even more critical with the addition of an opener. The need for ample headroom is evident, but the question remains: how do you manage when space is limited?

Options for Low Headroom Garages

Fortunately, there are several solutions available to address the challenges of installing a garage door in spaces with minimal headroom. A popular choice for new installations is the use of double low headroom tracks.

These tracks introduce a second set of horizontal tracks that only the top roller travels through. This modification allows the top section to flip through the radius more quickly, providing additional space between the door and the ceiling.

Innovative Product: Super Sneaky Top Fixture

For those seeking a more innovative solution, the market offers the super Sneaky top fixture. This product stands out by enabling the installation of a standard door in as little as six inches of headroom.

The super Sneaky works seamlessly with drawbar openers, allowing the top section to flip over into the horizontals instead of traveling around the track. While suitable for manual doors, it’s recommended to add a slide lock to hold the top section in place when the door is closed.

Adapting Existing Doors

But what if you already have a door installed, and there’s not enough room for an opener? In such cases, options like the residential jackshaft opener come into play. This opener is mounted on the side of the door, providing an alternative solution.

Another option is the use of quick turn top fixtures, offering an additional two and a half inches of headroom, sufficient for most residential openers.

Owen II Low Headroom Bracket

An additional alternative for top fixtures is the Owen II low headroom bracket. This bracket allows doors to operate with a minimum of seven inches of headroom, offering versatility in garage configurations. With these options, it becomes clear that lack of headroom should not be a limiting factor in installing a garage door or opener.

Versatility in Installation

The beauty of these solutions lies in their versatility. Whether you’re dealing with a new installation or adapting an existing door, there are options that cater to various scenarios. Moreover, these solutions accommodate both manual and automated garage doors, providing flexibility to homeowners with diverse preferences.

Conclusion

The challenge of low headroom in a garage should not deter you from having a functional and automated door. With a range of innovative solutions, from double low headroom tracks to the super Sneaky top fixture and quick turn top fixtures, there are practical ways to address this issue.

The adaptability of these solutions ensures that regardless of your garage setup, there’s a suitable option to meet your needs.

FAQs

Can I use the super Sneaky top fixture with any garage door?

Yes, the super Sneaky top fixture is designed to work with standard garage doors, providing a solution for low headroom installations.

Are these solutions suitable for both manual and automated garage doors?

Absolutely, the mentioned solutions cater to both manual and automated garage doors, offering flexibility for homeowners.

What is the minimum headroom required for the Owen II low headroom bracket?

The Owen II low headroom bracket allows doors to operate with a minimum of seven inches of headroom.

Can I retrofit an existing garage door with these solutions?

Yes, options like quick turn top fixtures and residential jackshaft openers provide solutions for retrofitting existing garage doors.

Is professional installation recommended for these low headroom solutions?

While some solutions may be DIY-friendly, professional installation is recommended to ensure optimal performance and safety.