How to Frame a Garage Door: A Comprehensive Guide

At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we know that having a garage door that works well is necessary for the security and accessibility of your home or business. That’s why we think it’s so important for homeowners to know how to frame their garage doors correctly.

We are the best garage door experts in St. George, Utah, and have been in business for over 40 years. We are committed to teaching our customers everything they need about garage door installation and maintenance.

In this piece, we’ll walk you through the key steps of framing a garage door, from understanding standard sizes to preparing the rough opening.

This guide will give you the information you need to make sure your garage door is built so it works well and lasts a long time, whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer taking on the project yourself or just want to be smart when hiring a professional.

Here are some basic steps to learn how to frame a garage door.

Getting to Know Garage Door Sizes

Before we start framing, it’s important to know the different types of garage doors available.

Standard residential garage doors typically have widths of 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, and 18 feet and heights ranging from 7 to 8 feet. However, these are just the most usual sizes. Custom sizes can also fit specific architectural designs and space needs.

Accurately measure the dimensions of your specific door before beginning the planning process for your garage door framing job. To ensure accuracy and account for any minor differences, you should measure the width and height of your door opening at least three times.

If you have questions about the process or run into problems, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Mehr’s Garage Doors. We’re always happy to help and double-check your numbers to ensure the installation goes smoothly.

Putting Together Tools and Materials

It’s time to get the necessary materials and tools for the building job now that you know the exact measurements of your garage door. Wood, usually in the form of 2x4s and 2x6s, is the main thing you’ll need.

The exact amount you need will rely on the size of your door and how you plan to frame it, but as a general rule, you should have enough to build the header and make a strong frame around the edges of the rough opening.

Besides wood, you’ll also need a variety of tools, such as screws, nails, and metal brackets. A good tape measure, level, carpenter’s square, circle saw, hammer, and drill are some tools you should have on hand. If you’re putting in a pre-hung garage door, you might also need a reciprocating saw to fix any problems with the frame.

When assembling your materials and tools, choose high-quality items to ensure that your garage door frame stays strong and lasts a long time. Mehr’s Garage Doors only uses high-quality wood and metal, and we tell our customers to do the same for their own projects. Remember that buying good materials can save you a lot of money in fixes and replacements later.

Getting the Rough Opening ready

Now that you have your materials and tools ready, it’s time to concentrate on preparing the rough opening for your garage door. The rough hole is the wall part that isn’t finished yet and is where your door will go.

Frame this hole to your must-frame square and level so your garage door works properly.

First, measure and mark on the wall the size of the rough hole. As a general rule, the rough opening should be two to three inches bigger and one to five inches taller than the size of your garage door.

This extra space allows for the door frame and any changes needed during installation. Once you have your numbers written down, cutting the hole in the wall with a circular saw is easy.

Once you’ve made the rough hole, you should recheck your measurements and use a level to ensure the header and sides are level. It’s worth the extra time to get it right because any mistakes at this point can cause issues later on.

Don’t hesitate to contact our team at Mehr’s Garage Doors if you have any questions or run into any problems. We’re here to help you with your garage door framing job and give you expert advice.

Installing the Door Bucks (Wraps)

Installing the door bucks, also known as wraps, comes after the rough opening has been made. Door bucks are the vertical frame members that run along the sides of the opening. They provide a strong base for the garage door tracks and hardware to be attached to.

2×6 boards cut to the opening height should be used to install the door bucks. To attach these boards to the rough hole, make sure they are flush with the inside edge of the opening and use nails or screws. In some cases, the door buckets may need to go from the floor to the ceiling buckets the door has more support and a finished, clean look.

After installing the vertical door buckets, we installed a horizontal 2×4 along the top of the bucket opening, making sure it fit between the two vertical pieces. This horizontal board “frames out” the hole and gives you a place to put the weatherstripping covering the top of your garage door.

At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we carefully choose straight, high-quality wood for our door bucks and use tried-and-true methods for fitting to ensure the frame is strong and lasts a long time. If you’re doing this job yourself, take your time and check your work twice at every step to get the best results.

Framing the Header

When the door is open, the header supports its weight and hardware, making it a critical component of your garage door frame. Building and placing the header correctly is essential so that your garage door works safely and reliably.

Of course, we use a 2×6 board cut to the width of the rough opening to frame the header. This board is placed horizontally across the top of the hole and rests on the vertical door bucks. We might use a doubled 2×6 or even a more giant board to make sure it’s strong enough, based on the size and weight of your garage door.

We also put in a vertical 2×6 center pad and the main header board. This board is in the middle of the hole, going from the top of the header to the ceiling. The center pad gives the garage door spring system and opener a stable place to attach, which helps spread the weight and stress out evenly.

When putting together the header frame, it’s important to ensure all the parts are level and securely attached.

The header and middle pad are held in place with nails and metal brackets, which makes the structure solid.

If you have questions about problems along the way, our experts at Mehr’s Garage Doors are always ready to help and give advice.

Finalizing the Frame

That’s it for the garage door framing job. The header and center pad are now in place. At this point, stepping back and assessing the entire frame is essential to ensure all parts are level, aligned, and safe.

Once again, check the door bucks, header, and center pad’s vertical and horizontal alignment with a level. At this point, if you find any mistakes, you should fix them. If you take the extra time to ensure it’s right, even small misalignments can affect how the garage door works and how long it lasts.

We check all of the fasteners and brackets to ensure they are tight and secure and that they are aligned. When links aren’t tight, the frame may move or shake over time, which could damage or break the garage door system.

After ensuring your garage door frame is straight and safe, it’s time to get ready for the door to be put in. This could mean putting in weatherstripping, painting or staining the frame, or making any other finishing changes needed for your chosen door.

When we frame at Mehr’s Garage Doors, we’re very proud of how well it looks and was done. Our skilled workers always go the extra mile to ensure every part is put to the highest standards. This gives your new garage door a solid base.

Tips for a Successful Framing Project

Even though building a garage door might seem easy, several common mistakes and pitfalls can arise in the future. Here are some essential construction tips we’ve learned in the more than 40 years we’ve been in the garage door business:

1. Measure twice, cut once: Always check your measurements twice before cutting or assembling parts. Small mistakes can lead to big problems in the future.
2. Use high-quality materials: Don’t skimp on the quality of your screws, bolts, and wood. Putting money into high-quality materials will lead to a more robust frame lasting longer.
3. Keep it level and plumb: Use a level to check your work often to make sure all the parts are lined up correctly. This is very important for the door bucks and heading in particular.
4. Don’t Rush: Take your time and do things in a planned way. If you rush through the framing process, you might miss something or make a mistake that will be hard or expensive to fix later.
5. Know When to Call in a Professional: If you have any problems or questions during the framing process, don’t hesitate to call an expert garage door installer. Mehr’s Garage Doors is always happy to help with advice, fixing problems, or full installation to ensure your job goes well. a 

Conclusion

Frame a garage door might seem like a difficult task, but many people can do it successfully with some planning, the right tools, and close attention to detail. Knowing the key components and steps involved in garage door framing will help ensure that your new door is put on a strong, dependable foundation.

At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we know how important a properly framed garage door is for the safety, functionality, and longevity of your house. That’s why we’re committed to giving our customers the best framing and installation services and informational tools to help them make smart choices about their garage door needs.

We’re here to help you every step of the way, whether you decide to do the framework yourself or hire our professional team. framework serving St. George, Utah area for more than 40 years, and we’re dedicated to giving every job our full attention and the best quality work and customer service.

When you’re ready to install or repair your garage door, remember how important proper framing is, and don’t be afraid to contact the experts at Mehr’s Garage Doors. Together, we can ensure that your new garage door works well for years to come and makes your house safer and more attractive.