Any Garage Door Experts?

Simplex3 · 06-03-2006, 12:25 PM

So my wood doors have all but rotted away, I'm going to have to replace them before I paint my house this fall. I'm not putting any wood back on my house anywere unless I have no other reasonable alternative. I'm not a fan of steel doors because I have a 2yo and a 5yo and then dent, so I'd like to go with plastic of some sort. Anyone have any good/bad luck with various materials they can share?

The other question I have is about the track, wheels, springs, etc. I've spoken to several salespeople and, of course, they are all claiming that I can't just buy 4 new panels for each door and screw them onto the current hardware. I understand the panels may be a different thickness, but the f**king track is covered in adjustable plates and screws. Am I actually supposed to belive that the track they bring me is going to be ANY f**king different? Are they just bulls**tting me because they think I don't know any better?

**Bugeater** · 06-03-2006, 12:33 PM

I'm no expert by any means, but I would guess it is easier to just replace the track than to adjust it to accommodate your new doors. I've screwed with it on my doors a few times to try to get them to shut tighter and it's a pain in the ass.

deadbabyseal · 06-03-2006, 12:33 PM

Garage door springs are dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. I'd have a professional do it.

**Bugeater** · 06-03-2006, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadbabyseal

Garage door springs are dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. I'd have a professional do it.

Yes, if it's a torsion type spring, you don't want to mess with those. The normal type aren't too difficult.

**cdcox** · 06-03-2006, 12:36 PM

My dad replaced his in the last year or so. He did the work himself. He did reuse the tracks, but had some difficulty. I think he had to install a supplementary track in order to get clearance. I didn't look at it closely, so I don't remember the details.

I'd definitey replace the springs. Those suckers eventually break and can do a good bit of damage if they don't have a cable running through them.

**Dunit35** · 06-03-2006, 12:39 PM

My brother use to put in garage doors when he worked in contruction. Want me to ask him?

Simplex3 · 06-03-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdcox

I'd definitey replace the springs. Those suckers eventually break and can do a good bit of damage if they don't have a cable running through them.

Mine have the springs on each side, with cables through them, and I've already replaced three of the 4. I have plenty of spring experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunit35

My brother use to put in garage doors when he worked in contruction. Want me to ask him?

Actually, I just found out my cousin's husband does this for a living. I'll be calling him in a few minutes.

Thanks guys.

FAX · 06-03-2006, 02:17 PM

I can safely say that the worst day of my life was the day I decided to install new garage doors, Mr. Simplex3.

Not unskilled in matters of home maintenance, I found the entire exercise to be at once personally frustrating and detrimental to my marriage.

I strongly recommend that you pay a couple of hundred bucks to somebody who does this for a living and save yourself the agony which I have, unfortunately, already endured.

Best of luck.

FAX

ChiefsfaninPA · 06-03-2006, 02:23 PM

Just got a new insulated replacement door with new springs, track and door for about 495.00. In my area that isn't too expensive. Just pay someone to do it. It isn't worth the headache. I tried fixing the previous door and as Mr. Fax said, it isn't worth the frustration or hassle.

06-03-2006, 12:25 PM
Simplex3 MVP Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $10004900	Any Garage Door Experts? So my wood doors have all but rotted away, I'm going to have to replace them before I paint my house this fall. I'm not putting any wood back on my house anywere unless I have no other reasonable alternative. I'm not a fan of steel doors because I have a 2yo and a 5yo and then dent, so I'd like to go with plastic of some sort. Anyone have any good/bad luck with various materials they can share? The other question I have is about the track, wheels, springs, etc. I've spoken to several salespeople and, of course, they are all claiming that I can't just buy 4 new panels for each door and screw them onto the current hardware. I understand the panels may be a different thickness, but the fking track is covered in adjustable plates and screws. Am I actually supposed to belive that the track they bring me is going to be ANY fking different? Are they just bulls**tting me because they think I don't know any better?
Posts: 28,527

06-03-2006, 12:33 PM	#2
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	I'm no expert by any means, but I would guess it is easier to just replace the track than to adjust it to accommodate your new doors. I've screwed with it on my doors a few times to try to get them to shut tighter and it's a pain in the ass.
Posts: 70,443

06-03-2006, 12:33 PM	#3
deadbabyseal Starter Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $6232000	Garage door springs are dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. I'd have a professional do it. __________________ I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you.
Posts: 339

06-03-2006, 12:36 PM	#5
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2211769	My dad replaced his in the last year or so. He did the work himself. He did reuse the tracks, but had some difficulty. I think he had to install a supplementary track in order to get clearance. I didn't look at it closely, so I don't remember the details. I'd definitey replace the springs. Those suckers eventually break and can do a good bit of damage if they don't have a cable running through them.
Posts: 45,543

06-03-2006, 12:39 PM	#6
Dunit35 Keepin it Real Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oklahoma Casino cash: $1267045	My brother use to put in garage doors when he worked in contruction. Want me to ask him?
Posts: 10,490

06-03-2006, 02:17 PM	#8
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	I can safely say that the worst day of my life was the day I decided to install new garage doors, Mr. Simplex3. Not unskilled in matters of home maintenance, I found the entire exercise to be at once personally frustrating and detrimental to my marriage. I strongly recommend that you pay a couple of hundred bucks to somebody who does this for a living and save yourself the agony which I have, unfortunately, already endured. Best of luck. FAX
Posts: 44,492

06-03-2006, 02:23 PM	#9
ChiefsfaninPA "F_ck Family Fun Night" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: York, PA Casino cash: $10005025	Just got a new insulated replacement door with new springs, track and door for about 495.00. In my area that isn't too expensive. Just pay someone to do it. It isn't worth the headache. I tried fixing the previous door and as Mr. Fax said, it isn't worth the frustration or hassle.
Posts: 2,373