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Measuring up, what size of door do I order and will it fit into my garage?

Having reviewed the characteristics of the different door types and decided what is best for you it is time to work out what size of door you require so that we can give you an accurate quotation.

Read through the information below, decide what you need to measure and grab a tape measure, pen and paper and head off to your garage.  

1. Retractable, Canopy and Side Hinged Doors - fitting to an existing frame
    a. Measuring up
    b. Will it fit? 
2. Retractable, Canopy Doors - pre-framed 
    a. Measuring up
    b. Will it fit? 
3. Sectional and Roller Doors
    a. Measuring up
    b. Will it fit? 

Prior to confirming your order we will supply you with the exact space and clearance information for your door to double check that it is suitable.

1. Retractable, Canopy and Side Hinge doors - fitting to an existing frame

a. Measuring up:

If your frame already exists, please make sure that:

• The frame is structurally sound and in good condition

• The frame is securely fixed to your garage structure

• Side frames are upright and parallel

• The top of the frame is level and square to the sides

If your frame is not up to scratch you have a couple of options: Replace it with a new timber frame, or, replace it with a plastisol treated Steel frame that can be pre-fitted to your door.

To identify the size of door that you need simply measure the dimensions in the following diagram. Check the dimensions at various points to ensure consistency and verify the diagonal dimensions to ensure the frame is square (the two dimensions should be the same… not as shown).

   

Door sizes are always quoted WIDTH x HEIGHT and are sold to fit the opening size, i.e. a 7' x 6'6" door will actually be slightly smaller so that it fits into a 7' x 6'6" opening with the necessary clearances.

b. Will it fit?  Door space constraints:

Retractable: The full height of the door slides back into the ceiling of the garage when opened.

Canopy: As one-third of the door protrudes outside of the garage less space is needed to 'store' the open door. 

Dimensions A (depth into garage) and B (additional height above underside of door frame) vary with each manufacturer and door type as follows:

	Retractable Doors		Canopy Doors
	A	B	A	B
Apex	1905mm	70mm	1283mm	65mm
Bonsack	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Cardale	1860mm	51mm	1258mm	48mm
Garador	Opening height less 50mm	70mm	1240mm	70mm
Henderson	Opening height plus 240mm	11mm	1300mm	66mm
Hormann	Opening height less 50mm	57mm	1240mm	55mm
Wessex	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

Notes: 
Standard opening heights are 6'6" (1981mm) and 7' (2134mm).
Retractable doors add 40mm to dimension B if fitting an automatic opener.

2. Retractable and Canopy doors - pre-framed

a. Measuring up:

If you wish to replace your existing frame or simply fit a pre-framed door to your existing brick opening you can identify the size of door that you need by simply measuring the dimensions in the following diagram. Check the dimensions at various points to ensure consistency and verify the diagonal dimensions to ensure the frame is square (the two dimensions should be the same).

Door sizes are always quoted WIDTH x HEIGHT and are sold to fit the opening size, i.e. a 7' x 6'6" door will actually be slightly smaller so that it fits into a 7' x 6'6" opening with the necessary clearances.

Pre-framed doors may be mounted within the opening or mounted on the rear face of the garage structure to give a little more flexibility.  If mounted to the rear face a frame to brick overlap of approximately 50mm is required.

b. Will it fit?  Door space constraints:

See previous section.

3. Sectional and Roller Doors

Also see our dedicated Sectional Doors pages and roller door pages.

a. Measuring up:

Sectional and Roller doors are mounted to the rear face of the garage structure and do not require a frame.  To identify the size of door that you need simply measure the dimensions in the diagram below - the opening does not have to be true or square - you can even have an arched opening.  

Door sizes are always quoted WIDTH x HEIGHT and are sold to be bigger than the opening size, i.e. a 7' x 6'6" door will actually be approximately 180mm wider and 100mm higher so that it fits around a 7' x 6'6" opening.

b. Will it fit?  Door space constraints:

Clearance is required on either side and above the rear face of the opening. 

	Sectional			Roller
	A	B	C	A	B	C
Gliderol - Single Skin Steel				580mm	420mm (can be reduced but drive through height will be affected)	Brick opening plus 2 x 75mm (2 x 150mm)
Gliderol - Roll-a-Glide				300mm	300mm	Brick opening plus 2 x 95mm
SWS - Seceuroglide				300mm (or 205mm)	300mm (or 205mm)	Brick opening plus 2 x 75 or 90mm (2 x 60mm)
Garador	Brick opening plus 510mm (750mm)	100mm (210mm)	Brick opening plus 2 x 90mm	500mm	460mm (330mm reduced drive through height)	Brick opening plus 2 x 100mm (2 x 150mm)
Henderson	Brick opening plus 500mm (695mm)	Manual 215mm, Automated 230mm	Brick opening plus 2 x 140mm (90mm)	450mm	420mm (300mm reduced drive through height)	Brick opening plus 2 x 25mm (2 x 50mm)
Hormann	Brick opening plus 510mm (750mm)	100mm (210mm)	Brick opening plus 2 x 90mm

Notes: 
Figures in brackets refers to doors wider than 10 or 12' (varies with manufacturer).
Sectional doors add 40mm to dimension B if fitting an automatic opener. 
Roller doors add 100mm to one side (dimension C) if fitting an automatic opener (varies with manufacturer). 

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