We might think taking measurements for a roller door is a straight forward thing, but believe it or not, many people get it wrong! Beside measuring opening height and width, you should also check for clearance to make sure there is enough space to install a roller door. Some garage has plenty of space and everything is flushed and cleared. But if your garage looks like it’s tight and unusual, use the following steps to help you make sure it’s all good.
Step 1 – Measure Garage Opening Height x Width
First of all, measure the garage opening height and width.
Some people recommend that you measure from the inside of the garage. If there is an existing roller door, we recommend measure from the outside. If there is no existing roller door, you can take measurements from the inside.
Opening Height – If you measure from the outside of garage, simply measure from the ground to the top of the ceiling.
Opening Width – If you measure from the outside of garage, simply measure from brick to brick, one side to the other.
Please note, if you measure from the inside of the garage, you will need to allow for headroom and sideroom. If you have a carport, it usually does not have a frame. As in, the carport is flat and has no headroom or sideroom. You will need to allow 400mm for headroom and 120mm of sideroom on each side, then work out your final opening height & width.
Step 2 – For existing Roller Doors – double check on WIDTH from the inside
This is an optional step. If you have an existing roller door and you are happy with its current overlapping, you can simply follow its existing door width. Simply measure the existing roller door, from one end of the curtain to the other end. If you don’t have an existing roller door or no existing garage doors altogether, ignore this step.
Step 3 – Check Garage Clearance – Measure Headroom and Sideroom
Here is the tricky step, checking for clearance. Many people simply buy a roller door without realising there is not enough space to put it on. Please be aware that a roller door should be installed BEHIND your garage door frame and not within it. We have noticed many “creative” installers who have attempted to install a roller door within the garage frame. This is not recommended.
Use the above diagram to double check on garage clearance and record all measurements for 1 – 5.
- Opening Height – as above in Step 1
- Opening Width – as above in Step 1
- Left Sideroom – 100 – 120mm recommended for Roller Doors up to 3430mm wide
- Right Sideroom – 100 – 120mm recommended for Roller Doors to 3430mm wide
- Headroom – 400mm – 450mm recommended for Series A & AA
- Final Door width – 50 – 60mm overlapping recommended for Roller Doors to 3430mm wide
100mm overlapping recommended for Roller Doors 3431mm wide or bigger
Not sure?
Does the above seems too overwhelming? Don’t panic. Please give us a call or have a chat with us and we will guide you through the process of taking measurements for your roller door. You can simply take some internal photos of your garage door and send it to us and we can double check on clearance for you. Have a chat with us, we’re more than happy to take you through step by step to work out the right size door for your garage.
Call us on (02) 9723 0953 or have an ONLINE CHAT.
