The basic reason you want to install a garage door opener is probably for the convenience of pushing a button, without getting out of your car, to open or close your garage door. This is a valid reason all by itself to install an opener. It will save you from getting wet and cold, and it will alleviate the need to fumble around in the darkness trying to open and close your garage door.
There's a second valid reason why you should install a garage door opener too, and that involves security. Once you close your garage door automatically, it's securely locked. That helps to keep your car and the other possessions that are in your garage are from burglars. Also, many garage door openers have automatic lights built right into them. This feature will allow you to find your way out of your garage and enter safely into your house.
Before you begin to install a garage door opener, make sure that you have enough head room in your garage to install it at least seven feet from the floor. If you do, then you should check with your local codes office to make sure you obtain any necessary permits, et cetera. The actual installation, as well as the wiring part of this project, must be in accordance with established codes. Then, after you have done that, and have purchased an opener, it's time to begin this project.
The first step is to disconnect any existing ropes, locks, et cetera, that are currently on your garage door. If your garage door is flimsy and lightweight, you should reinforce it prior to installing an opener. Then, raise your garage door to the full, open position. Make sure your garage door is operating correctly. If it's not, you will need to repair the door before you can continue on. You should always follow the manufacturer's specific directions for installing and using a garage door opener, but, here are some basic instructions.
You have either purchased a screw - driven, a chain - driven, or a belt - driven garage door opener. Basically, every type of opener works the same, and they have either a third or a half horsepower motor that is operated by electricity. The second step in this project is to make sure that the necessary electrical items are in place. Most openers come with an attached forty inch electrical cord. It can be either plugged into an outlet that is within three feet of the motor, or, if your local codes office requires it, your garage door opener might need to be wired into a circuit breaker instead.
Once your electrical items are in place, the third step is to place the head of the opener upside down on a flat work surface. Then, put it together by following the manufacturer's specific directions.
The fourth step is to secure the mounting bracket for the garage door opener to the stud frame of your garage ceiling. It must be mounted securely with long lag screws one quarter of an inch to the right of the center of the garage door. It must also be located four inches above the horizontal door track. If your garage stud frame doesn't allow for these mounting dimensions to be met, you will need to add some studs to make it workable. Then, affix the mounting straps to the head of the opener.
Then, the fifth step is to mount the head onto the frame with the parts the manufacturer has provided. You will also need to put rail sections and straps in place, as well as the limit switches. The sixth step is to attach the linkage assembly, the travel bar, the door bracket and arm. Make sure that you attach the door bracket on the center of your garage door.
Now that the garage door opener is basically installed, you will need to choose a location on a garage wall that is five feet from the floor. This height will be handy for you to reach, but will keep children away from the control panel. The seventh step is to install the control panel by using the supplied hardware. Then, run the electrical wiring from the control panel to the opener on the ceiling; connect the wiring. Finally, install the electrical eye safety system on your garage door opener. Check the manufacturer's specific directions for further items, and then, you're finished.
