Garage doors are large, heavy, and relatively complicated contraptions, which is why many homeowners choose to hire professionals to install garage doors for them. But if you are pretty well experienced with home improvement tasks and have a couple of helpers to give you a hand with the job, then you can do it yourself. For a typical garage door installation, here are the steps that you will follow.


Step 1: Attach hinges to the edges of the bottom panels, and then fix weatherstripping to the bottom edges of the panels with cable brackets to hold it in place. Use your drill to mount the hinges and brackets and lock them into place.

Step 2: Stand the fully assembled bottom panel in the opening of the garage, and insert the rollers into the brackets and hinges. This will show you where the roller track needs to go. You may need to adjust the track later, so only make the connection at one point.

Step 3: Put the hinges into the second panel, and drop it down on top of the bottom panel. Make sure everything is flush and connect the hinge on the bottom panel to the second panel. Insert the rollers for the second panel into the track and make the connections to the panel.

Step 4: Now adjust the track, making sure it’s parallel to the door and that the rollers you have attached so far run smoothly.

Step 5: With a ladder or step stool, attach the horizontal portion of the track. You’ll need a partner to help hold it up while you attach it.

Step 6: After putting the horizontal track in place, attach the last panel and affix the top wheels. Check both tracks to make sure they are rolling smoothly, and adjust the track accordingly.

Step 7: Lift the door along with your partner, and insert a solid object in the opening to hold it in place.

Step 8: Hook the spring to the track bracket, feed the cable through the pulley, and secure the cable to the end of each bracket by clipping the S-hooks in place. To make sure the cable system stays in place, feed a safety cable through the brackets.

Step 9: Open and close the door a few times to make sure that it’s working properly. You may need to make some final adjustments to the tracks.