High-lift garage door tracks can make all the difference regarding efficient garage door systems. Our article explains high-lift garage door systems, from the various types available to the installation process and maintenance tips.
Types of High Lift Garage Door Tracks
- Vertical Lift Tracks: These tracks lift the door straight up, providing maximum headroom and clearance. They are ideal for garage spaces with high ceilings, ample storage, and taller vehicle accommodation.
- Follow the Roof Pitch Tracks: Designed to match the slope of your garage’s roof, these tracks provide a smooth and aesthetically pleasing alignment. They are commonly used when the roof has a significant pitch, ensuring the garage door tracks follow the roofline closely.
Benefits of High Lift Garage Door Tracks
- Increased Headroom: The primary advantage of high lift garage door tracks is maximizing headroom. Lifting the door higher up creates a spacious environment where you can move freely without worrying about door height.
- Taller Vehicle Accommodation: High lift tracks allow for parking taller vehicles, such as SUVs or RVs. This flexibility is especially beneficial for those with larger vehicles or needing additional storage space.
- Accommodate a Car Lift: The high lift system keeps your garage door away from the car on top of your lift.
- Enhanced Storage Options: With high lift tracks, you can use the increased vertical clearance to store items overhead, freeing up valuable floor space. From bicycles and sporting equipment to seasonal decorations, the possibilities are endless.
Installation
- Confirm measurements. Standard high lift measurements range from 24″ to 54″, so measuring the opening properly is crucial. While most taller tracks can be cut down to size in the field, we recommend ordering the correct size from a garage door manufacturer like Amarr or Clopay.
- Gather the necessary tools and materials, including a ladder, measuring tape, drill, high lift track kit, fasteners, and any specific tools mentioned in the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Lay the frame on the ground before taking down the existing track to confirm you have the correct pieces and that the tracks match your measurements.
- Remove the existing tracks by unscrewing and detaching them carefully. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the new high lift tracks, customizing their alignment and angles to accommodate your specific ceiling slope.
Maintenance and Care
- Regularly inspect the tracks for any signs of wear or damage. Look for loose fasteners, misalignments, or any debris that may impede the door’s smooth operation.
- Keep the tracks clean and free from dirt, dust, and debris. Use a soft brush or cloth to remove any buildup affecting the door’s movement.
- Lubricate the tracks, rollers, and hinges periodically using a silicone-based lubricant. Avoid using oil-based lubricants, which can attract dirt and cause more harm than good.
High Lift Garage Door Questions
Here are a few questions and answers to some of the most common high lift garage door questions.
How much headroom do you need for a high lift garage door?
If your garage ceiling height is ten feet, and your garage door height is 7′, you have 36″ of headroom to install 24″ of high lift track. A good rule of thumb is to reduce your ceiling height by one foot to determine how much lift you can attain.
How long does it take to convert a standard lift to a high lift?
For one garage door, whether a one- or two-car garage, swapping tracks can take up to three hours. The first hour is spent confirming your measurements, materials, and laying out the new track. Next, you’ll remove your existing garage door and track before finally installing the high lift assembly while installing your garage door sections.
What type of garage door opener works with a high lift garage door?
You need a wall mount or jackshaft operator with a high lift track assembly. A traditional overhead operator uses a rail above the door, which won’t work with a high lift system. Right now, the LiftMaster 98022 is our preferred jackshaft operator. These types of operators attach directly to the torsion bar, to the side of the drums and springs, and are quieter than the ceiling mount operators.
In closing
High-lift garage door tracks offer many benefits, from increased headroom and taller vehicle accommodation to enhanced overhead storage options. Please contact us if you have questions about converting your standard lift or general garage door questions.
