Question:
We went to Lowe's yesterday to check out the garage door openers
available. The store employee who's showing us the models said that we
also need to buy steel angled brackets (sold separately) that have pre
drilled holes in them. He said we need to fix two of these to the
garage ceiling and then drop two more brackets vertically to connect
to the motor casing. Is the right thing to do? He said the brackets
that come with the opener tend to be flimsy.
those of you that have installed a garage door opener yourselves
please advise.
Answer:
That's a reasonble way to do it. It depends somewhat on what your
garage ceiling is like. If it is unfinished (you can see the wood
joists or rafters), you may be able to attach the vertical pieces
directly to the joists/rafters if they are in the right place relative
to where the power unit ends up. If it is drywalled or plastered,
then you will need to fasten one or two pieces of the angle iron to
the ceiling, depending on which way the joists run. I usually attach
1 or 2 pieces of 2x4 (wood) to the ceiling, and then use the angle
iron for the vertical pieces. I think using wood helps dampen the
vibration of the opener a little so it is quieter.
The important thing is that the weight of the opener must not be
supported only by attachment to plaster or drywall. Either hang it
from the joists directly if they are accessible, or use the cross
pieces of wood or angle iron to span at least two joists, and fasten
them to the joists (through the drywall if necessary) with lag bolts.
