A brand new garage door can literally make your home look like a different place and increase the value of your home. While homeowners seek to reduce renovation costs, they may also be considering whether to do it themselves, as the thought “Can You Install a New Garage Door Yourself?” is a common one to cross minds, as it is one of the most budget-friendly options out there.
It’s all about labor cost savings, but you also have to consider how complicated the task is. Should you do your own garage door installation on a weekend, or should you hire the professionals? Pinter Door Sales has laid out the facts of the matter.
Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Can You Install a New Garage Door Yourself?
The main reason property owners wonder, “Can You Install a New Garage Door Yourself?” is obviously to save money, because no one likes to sign up for complex, time-consuming DIY garage door installation projects on the weekends for fun.
Labor costs can be hundreds of dollars or more if you hire a professional. In the eyes of the confident handy homeowner, ordering a door online or just picking one up at a home improvement store must seem like a simple cost-cutting measure.
The Appeal Behind DIY Garage Door Installation
In addition to the financial benefits, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction you’ll get from a big job done on your own. But a garage door installation can be very different than building a deck or painting a room. It is a complicated mechanical structure that requires exact alignment and physical strength to be installed correctly.
Ground Realities of Garage Door Installation
So, before you start clearing your weekend calendar, here are a few things to keep in mind when installing a garage door. It’s best to learn more about what the process entails. For a typical installation, there are multiple very technical steps:
- Old Door Removal:
All the old heavy door panels, tracks, and dangerous springs must be safely dismantled and disposed of.
- Building the Tracks:
The tracks should be levelled. Any type of misalignment, even a millimeter, will lead to a jammed, binding door or to premature wear.
- Winding the Springs:
The most hazardous part of the job is winding the springs. A torsion spring has a huge amount of mechanical energy that is stored to lift a heavy door, weighing hundreds of pounds. A single slip of a twisting bar can cause a lot of harm.
- Lifting the Panels:
When moving heavy and awkward door sections into a vertical lift, at least two or three people are needed to avoid damage.
The Pros of DIY
- You save on the professional labor cost.
- You can work on your own timetable.
The Risks of DIY
- Physical Hazards:
High-tension springs and heavy falling panels can be very dangerous.
- Voided Warranties:
A lot of big manufacturers won’t offer any warranty if the door is not installed by a licensed technician.
- Specialized Tools:
You’ll need special tools such as winding bars, locking pliers, and heavy-duty levels that you may not use otherwise.
Making the Right Decision for Your Home
If you are pretty good at mechanical work, have the necessary garage door parts, and 2 or more good helpers, you may be able to perform a DIY garage door installation.
But, for the majority of homeowners, the professional team is the best and most economical option in the long run. The garage door installation can be done quickly by a professional team, meets building code requirements, and comes with a labor warranty.
A stressful weekend project is no way to ensure your and your home’s safety.
Final Thoughts
The garage door is the heaviest and largest moving door in your house. For people on a strict budget, it’s easy to get the idea that a DIY project could be done, but the safety concerns and exact alignment make it a job for the pros.
If you are not well-equipped or handy enough to deal with a garage door installation, it is best to depend on professionals and allow them to do their job. A few bucks spent today can assure you live safely for years to come without having to spend on fixing a badly done installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to install a garage door by yourself?
No, it is not safe for an untrained individual. It is recommended to call the professionals for a garage door installation.
How much time does it take to install a garage door?
The average time for a professional team to remove your old door and replace it with a brand new one is 3 to 4 hours. If you are a first-time DIY, you can expect to spend a full weekend on this job.
What do I require to install a garage door?
Tools include standard equipment such as a drill, level, wrenches, steel spring winding bars, locking pliers, and heavy-duty sawhorses.
If I install my garage door myself, will my garage door warranty be canceled?
Yes, many manufacturers have provisions in their warranty that require the product to be installed by a certified and professional installer.
Can I use my old tracks and springs with a new door?
No, combining old components with a new door is not recommended.