{"id":1291,"date":"2015-08-31T08:30:52","date_gmt":"2015-08-31T14:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ddmgaragedoors.com\/blog\/?p=1291"},"modified":"2023-07-26T14:18:16","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T20:18:16","slug":"low-headroom-garage-doors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddmgaragedoors.com\/blog\/2015\/08\/31\/low-headroom-garage-doors\/","title":{"rendered":"Low Headroom Garage Doors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We frequently get inquiries about low headroom garage door applications. A low headroom garage door is one where there is not enough clearance above the door to install a normal torsion spring assembly. The most common type of low headroom door is one with double low headroom garage door tracks. Here are a few of the solutions we use in our industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Double Low Headroom Tracks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Double low headroom garage door tracks<\/a> are the most common low headroom solution. The low headroom door has two sets of tracks, which minimizes upward travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On low headroom applications, the cable drum<\/a> is normally installed outside the end bearing plate. The bottom of the cable<\/a> connects to an outside lift bottom fixture<\/a> that wraps around the outside of the track.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The cable comes off the garage side of the drum. A wide low headroom plate<\/a> connects the two horizontal tracks to the top of the vertical flag bracket. The torsion springs<\/a> are mounted opposite to the way they are on standard doors, and the springs are wound down instead of up.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"An<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The drum is tight against the race of the end bearing<\/a>. This prevents the shaft from floating horizontally, which could cause spring bind as well as excess wear on the bearings and the ends of the shaft.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

On double track systems, the drums can also mount inside the end bearing plates if there is enough headroom. Sometimes the jamb end of the upper track needs trimming about 1\/2″ to 1″ in order to allow room for the cable to travel. Notice the low headroom top fixture<\/a> and the mounting of the top strut.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"An<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The drum butts against the race of the end bearing on each side. This design allows the cables to travel behind the rollers and connect at the bottom of the garage door to standard bottom fixtures. Notice also the wide low headroom plate<\/a> connecting both horizontal tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This plate and the upper horizontal track connect to the top of the vertical flag bracket as pictured. In addition, the race of the end bearing faces and touches the drum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can buy double low headroom tracks on our tracks and track hardware<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Double Roller Top Fixtures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Double roller top fixtures<\/a> are especially useful for steel doors, where a double track system might not work. Instead of installing two tracks, this low headroom solution uses a hinged top fixture<\/a> to support the steel door. The video below shows how these top fixtures work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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