How to get the right size garage door

One of the most common questions that we receive is "what size garage door do I need?" Before ordering your garage door it is vital to establish the correct door size.

Measuring your door
Measuring the door is not as simple as measuring the width and height of the opening. There are five key measurements that you should take, to make sure you get the correct door size for your garage. Note: measurements can be taken in either feet and inches, or millimetres.

One: The width, brick to brick, between the garage opening.
Two: The height, from the floor to the underside of the lintel.
Three: The width of the pillar (on the right hand side of the garage opening), from the edge of the opening to the wall.
Four: The width of the other pillar (on the left hand side of the garage opening), from the edge of the opening to the wall. This can vary from the pillar on the other side so make sure you obtain both measurements.
Five: The height, from the underside of the lintel to the lowest point of the roof.

For a visual guide to these measurements, visit http://www.upandoverdoorsltd.co.uk/Handy_Hints.html.

One final measurement that would be useful to take, is the 'backroom' - the area from the garage door opening to the back wall of your garage. Note: it is highly likely that your garage will have plenty of room for this, but worth checking in case you have anything on the ceiling that could get in the way of the door as it reverses 'up and over'.

Choosing the right door for your measurements
Door sizes generally refer to the panel size, not the total size including the frame. Therefore, when choosing a door, you should allow at least 3" on either side and at the top of the door, for factory fitted frames. If you are unsure in any way, simply hand your measurements to your garage door supplier and they will be able to help.

If you would like some more advice, visit www.upandoverdoorsltd.co.uk. Up and Over Doors is a leading garage door supplier and able to install and repair garages in Bristol of all types.