Low-headroom Garage Door
#1
10-22-10, 01:03 PM
Low-headroom Garage Door
I will need to purchase a garage door and opener. There is only 8.5", from the top of the door, and the ceiling....
Would there be enough room to install a torsion bar and spring?
Would I be able to install the Lifmaster 3800 Opener? I have already checked, and I would satisfy all of the clearances.
Thank You
Would there be enough room to install a torsion bar and spring?
Would I be able to install the Lifmaster 3800 Opener? I have already checked, and I would satisfy all of the clearances.
Thank You
#2
10-22-10, 01:15 PM
Super Moderator
Hmmm...I don't have my references anymore...but I don't think so.
The torsion spring will take about a foot or so by itself. How wide is the door?
Some of the Pro's will be around later..so don't take me as gospel.
The torsion spring will take about a foot or so by itself. How wide is the door?
Some of the Pro's will be around later..so don't take me as gospel.
#3
10-22-10, 02:15 PM
Member
For low headroom front torsion you need about 9 inches plus 2 inches for opener
low headroom rear torsion you need about 4.5 inches
low head room extension spring you need 4.5 inches.
If this is a double door I would go low headroom rear torsion with an extra long door opener to fit the motor past the torsion tube.
If this is a single car door, go with low headroom extension spring with a standard door opener.
The liftmaster model 3800 will not work with a low headroom door
low headroom rear torsion you need about 4.5 inches
low head room extension spring you need 4.5 inches.
If this is a double door I would go low headroom rear torsion with an extra long door opener to fit the motor past the torsion tube.
If this is a single car door, go with low headroom extension spring with a standard door opener.
The liftmaster model 3800 will not work with a low headroom door
#4
10-22-10, 09:35 PM
Do you know why the Liftmaster 3800 will not work with a low-headroom door? Since I only have a 7' 2" ceilling height, I am looking for openers that are as compact, as possible. Other than the Liftmaster DC operator, are there any other openers that you recommed? I was looking at the Sommer opener, since it has a very low profile, compared to other ones:
SOMMER synoris garage door opener
This Sommer opener is also able to mount onto of the door track, with a side-mount kit:
Side mount kit
SOMMER synoris garage door opener
This Sommer opener is also able to mount onto of the door track, with a side-mount kit:
Side mount kit
#5
10-23-10, 01:47 PM
Member
It won't work because on most low headroom doors, the torsion springs are reversed from a normal application. The drums and cables go on the outside of the track with a special bottom fixture . You would have to hang the opener upside down, not use the dead bolt locking mechanism because the bottom fixture would hit it, and the cable tension sensor which normaly mounts on the wall just below the drum would have to be turned around facing the wall with no place to mount it. As for that Sommer synoris door opener, I have never seen on in use so I don't know much about them.
#6
10-24-10, 08:31 AM
Originally Posted by Doorman2722
The drums and cables go on the outside of the track with a special bottom fixture.
#7
10-24-10, 08:45 AM
Member
that might be possible, but no guarante the top section would seal very good (nothing to push it against the header /wall)
#8
10-29-10, 07:13 PM
If you mount the drums on the inside with the limited head room, you will run in to your top section hitting the drums and not closeing completely. Even if you used double track for low head room ( which is never a good idea) you will most likely not be able to close your door before it hits the drums. In this case you not going to be able to avoid drums on the out side of your track.
