FAQ
Garage Door Questions, Answered — Page 2
More in-depth answers from Denver’s G Brothers Garage Doors. Tap any question for the full guide, or use search to jump straight to a topic.
General
General questions
What is a WindCode rating on a garage door?
WindCode is Clopay's proprietary wind-resistance rating system for garage doors.
Read answerGeneralWhat is the UL 325 safety standard for garage door openers?
UL 325 is the federal safety standard that has applied to all residential garage door openers sold in the United States since 1993.
Read answerGeneralWhy should you never remove the warning tags on a garage door opener?
Garage door opener warning tags are required by the UL 325 safety standard and contain test instructions that protect your family.
Read answerInstallation
Installation questions
Can I get a custom or carriage-style garage door?
Yes, we install custom and carriage-style garage doors in steel, wood, and composite. See how carriage doors work and pick the right material.
Read answerInstallationCan I get a new opener installed without a new door?
Yes, you can install a new garage door opener without replacing the door. Here's when an opener-only upgrade makes sense and what the install involves.
Read answerInstallationDo I need a permit for a garage door?
Do you need a permit for a garage door? Replacing a door or opener in the same opening usually does not. Changing the opening or structure usually does.
Read answerInstallationDo you haul away my old garage door?
Yes, we remove and haul away your old garage door as part of installation. Here's what's included, how disposal works, and what gets recycled.
Read answerInstallationDoes a new garage door come with an opener?
Not always. A new garage door and the opener are usually priced separately. Here's when an opener is included, when to reuse yours, and when to upgrade.
Read answerInstallationHow long does a garage door installation take?
How long does a garage door installation take? Most installs run 4 to 6 hours, same-day completion is the norm. Here is what changes the timeline.
Read answerInstallationHow much does a new garage door cost?
How much does a new garage door cost? Most Front Range installs run $700 to $3,000 for the door and labor, with custom and double doors higher.
Read answerInstallationShould I add windows to my garage door?
Garage door windows add light and curb appeal but affect privacy and insulation. See the window options, the tradeoffs, and how to choose for Colorado.
Read answerInstallationWhat size garage door do I need?
What size garage door do you need? Single doors run 8 to 9 feet wide, doubles 16 feet, both 7 feet tall. Learn how to measure your opening the right way.
Read answerInstallationCan I install a garage door myself?
Sometimes, but not the springs.
Read answerInstallationCan I reuse my garage door opener with a new door?
Usually yes, if the opener is under 10 to 15 years old, in good working condition, and powerful enough for the new door's weight.
Read answerInstallationWhat rights do Colorado homeowners have when an HOA denies a garage door replacement?
Colorado HOAs must follow their CC&Rs exactly when reviewing garage door requests.
Read answerInstallationDoes Colorado's Wildfire Resiliency Code affect my garage door?
Yes, if you are in an Orange Zone WUI area.
Read answerInstallationDo I need new tracks when I get a new garage door?
Almost always, yes.
Read answerInstallationDo I need a permit to replace a garage door in Denver?
No permit is required in Denver for a like-for-like garage door replacement in the same opening.
Read answerInstallationCan I run an EV charging cable under my garage door?
No.
Read answerInstallationCan I convert extension springs to torsion springs in a low-headroom garage?
Yes, if you have at least 10 inches of headroom above the door's highest travel point.
Read answerInstallationWhat backroom and side-room clearance does a garage door need?
A sectional door needs about 3.5 to 4 inches of side room on each side of the opening for the vertical tracks.
Read answerInstallationWhat door is required between an attached garage and house under building code?
IRC 2024 requires the door between an attached garage and living space to be solid-core wood at least 1-3/8 inch thick, solid or honeycomb steel at least 1-3/8 inch thick, or a 20-minute fire-rated door.
Read answerInstallationWhat fire-rated drywall do I need between my attached garage and house?
IRC 2024 R302.6 requires 1/2-inch standard gypsum board on the garage side of walls shared with the living space.
Read answerInstallationWhat garage door options work for a low-ceiling garage?
Low-ceiling garages need at least 10 to 11 inches of headroom above the opening for a standard track setup.
Read answerInstallationHow much headroom does a garage door need?
Most standard torsion spring doors need about 12 inches of headroom above the opening.
Read answerInstallationWhat happens if I installed a garage door without HOA approval in Colorado?
The HOA can issue fines, require you to remove or replace the door, and place a lien on your property if fines go unpaid.
Read answerInstallationDo I need a rail extension kit for a high-ceiling garage door opener?
Yes, if the door is taller than the opener's standard rail length.
Read answerInstallationDo I need a permit to replace a garage door on Colorado's Front Range?
A like-for-like garage door swap (same size, same opening) does not require a permit in Denver or most Front Range counties.
Read answerInstallationWhat is the difference between garage door rough opening and door size?
The rough opening is the framed hole in the wall, measured between the inside edges of the framing.
Read answerInstallationCan a Colorado HOA restrict what color I paint my garage door?
Yes.
Read answerInstallationHow do I measure my garage door spring's wire size?
Measure 10 coils of the spring with a ruler, then 20 coils, and compare both lengths to a wire size chart.
Read answerInstallationHow do I measure garage door springs to order the right replacement?
To order a replacement torsion spring, measure three things: wire diameter (measure 10 coils with calipers, divide by 10), inside coil diameter (typically 1-3/4 in or 2 in), and overall spring length in inches.
Read answerInstallationHow do I realign a garage door track?
Loosen the track brackets, tap the track gently to move it into position, and retighten.
Read answerInstallationWhat are the requirements for installing a jackshaft garage door opener?
A jackshaft opener requires a torsion spring system (not extension springs), at least 8 inches of clear wall space on one side of the door, 4 inches of clearance above the torsion bar, and a 1-inch diameter torsion bar.
Read answerInstallationWhat is a low-headroom conversion kit, and when do I need one?
A low-headroom conversion kit replaces the standard top track and fixtures with tighter-radius hardware that lets the door curve closer to the ceiling.
Read answerInstallationCan I replace my garage door without replacing the opener?
Yes, in most cases.
Read answerInstallationWhat should I expect during a garage door installation?
A full garage door installation typically takes two to four hours for a single door.
Read answerRepair
Repair questions
Can I use my garage door with a broken spring?
Using a garage door with a broken spring can burn out the opener and bend panels. Here is why to stop and how to get your car out safely.
Read answerRepairCan you repair broken garage door springs?
Can you repair broken garage door springs? A snapped spring is replaced, not patched. Here is how torsion and extension spring service works and why.
Read answerRepairDo the springs or the opener lift my garage door?
The springs lift your garage door, not the opener. They counterbalance the weight and the opener just guides it. Here is why that matters.
Read answerRepairGarage door won't close all the way? Common causes
Garage door won't close all the way? Usually it's the safety sensors, the opener's close-limit setting, or a track obstruction. Here are the fixes.
Read answerRepairHow do I fix a dented garage door panel?
How to fix a dented garage door panel: small steel dents can be pushed out, but creased or cracked panels usually need a new section or door.
Read answerRepairHow do I fix garage door sensors that won't align?
Fix garage door sensor alignment yourself: read the LED colors, clean the lenses, level the brackets, and check the wiring so your door stops reversing.
Read answerRepairHow do I know if my garage door spring is broken?
Is your garage door spring broken? Look for a loud bang, a 2 to 4 inch gap in the spring, or a door that won't lift. Here are the signs to check.
Read answerRepairHow do I make my garage door safe for kids and pets?
Make your garage door safe for kids and pets with working auto-reverse, aligned photo-eye sensors, a high wall button, and rolling-code remotes.
Read answerRepairHow do I open my garage door manually?
How to open a garage door manually with the emergency release cord, the steps to reconnect it after, and when a broken spring makes it unsafe to lift.
Read answerRepairHow do I program a garage door keypad?
How to program a garage door keypad: set a PIN with the opener's Learn button, fix one that won't pair, and reset a forgotten code on any brand.
Read answerRepairHow do I program my garage door opener or remote?
How to program a garage door opener and remote with the Learn button, pair your car's built-in buttons, and fix a remote that won't sync. Any brand.
Read answerRepairHow do I replace the garage door bottom seal?
How to replace a garage door bottom seal: identify the retainer, measure the door width, slide out the old seal, and feed in the new one. A doable DIY job.
Read answerRepairHow do I reset my garage door opener?
How to reset a garage door opener: power cycle the motor for a soft reset, or hold the Learn button for a full factory reset, then reprogram your remotes.
Read answerRepairHow do I stop my garage door from squeaking?
To stop a garage door squeaking, lubricate the hinges, rollers, springs, and bearings with the right product. Here's the fix and why WD-40 makes it worse.
Read answerRepairHow do I test my garage door safety sensors?
How to test garage door sensors: run the box obstruction test, read the LED lights, and confirm the door reverses. A two-minute safety check anyone can do.
Read answerRepairHow does garage door auto-reverse safety work?
How garage door auto-reverse safety works: two federally required systems, the photo-eye beam and the force sensor, that stop and reverse a closing door.
Read answerRepairHow long do garage door springs last?
How long do garage door springs last? Most last 7 to 10 years, or about 10,000 cycles. Denver cold and daily use shorten that. Here's what affects it.
Read answerRepairHow much does garage door cable repair cost?
Garage door cable repair cost usually runs $150 to $300 for both cables installed. See what moves the price and why cables are never a safe DIY fix.
Read answerRepairHow much does garage door opener repair cost?
How much does garage door opener repair cost? Most Front Range fixes run $100 to $350 parts and labor. Here is what each opener repair costs.
Read answerRepairHow much does garage door spring replacement cost?
How much does garage door spring replacement cost? Most Front Range jobs run $200 to $500 for a torsion spring. Here is what changes the price.
Read answerRepairHow often should I lubricate my garage door?
How often to lubricate a garage door: twice a year for most homes, more in dry Colorado air. Learn which parts to grease and which lubricant to use.
Read answerRepairIs DIY garage door spring replacement safe?
DIY garage door spring replacement is high risk. A torsion spring stores enough energy to break bones. Here is what goes wrong and when to call a pro.
Read answerRepairShould I repair or replace my garage door opener?
Should you repair or replace your garage door opener? Repair a newer unit with one failed part. Replace one over 15 years old or missing safety sensors.
Read answerStill have a question?
Call us and describe what your door is doing. We will tell you what is likely wrong and what it costs.