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Drywall Surfaces and the Mounting of Garage Door
Hardware
WARNING!
Many garage door components are
under spring tension, and are a potential risk for sudden release of energy that
can result in serious injury or death to persons in the vicinity of such
components. It is important that installers follow manufacturer recommendations
for proper mounting of garage door hardware to surfaces capable of withstanding
forces applied by fasteners and spring
tension.
INTRODUCTION
Commonly, garage door installers do not
install or significantly alter jambs, headers or ceiling structures of garage
door openings. However, in all installations - particularly when retrofitting -
garage door installers should responsibly inspect jamb, header and ceiling
conditions for adequacy to which hardware can be mounted, particularly when
drywall is present. This Technical Data Sheet includes information on the
practice of mounting track brackets, side and center bearing brackets, and steel
angles, with respect to drywall. Please note that this document does not address
installations where plaster is encountered.
TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL GARAGE
DOOR FASTENING
Sectional garage door track brackets/angles and torsion
spring bearing brackets commonly mount to the jambs and header of a residential
garage door opening by means of lag screws fastened through brackets into a wood
surface. The wood structure is part of the building, and has the structural
strength to withstand the door loads. In finished garages, the wood structure
may be covered with drywall. The brackets in this case are mounted over the
drywall with lags of sufficient length to imbed the wood structure
beneath.
Note: Please refer to individual manufacturers’
installation instructions for recommendations regarding specific garage door
products.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MOUNTING GARAGE DOOR
HARDWARE
There are two alternatives for mounting garage door hardware
onto drywall:
1. Install a wood buck over the drywall with sufficient anchors to
secure the wood buck to the building. The door will then be installed onto the
wood buck as a normally acceptable wood jamb installation. Details for
installing the wood buck are given below.
2. Install the door onto the
drywall with lag screws of sufficient length to imbed the wood substrate. It
is important to use a stud finder to locate the wood structure beneath the
drywall. To ensure secure mounting of garage door connectors
(including track brackets, side and center bearing brackets, and steel angles)
to building framing where drywall is present - whether a new or retrofit
installation - the following procedures are recommended. Refer to DASMA
Technical Data Sheet #156 for selection of wood and to DASMA Technical Data
Sheet #161 for fastener information.
RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE FOR MOUNTING
WOOD OVER DRYWALL
When an installer encounters a door opening with
drywall applied, and without wood jambs:
 1. Follow the garage door
manufacturer’s recommendations for preparing jambs, headers and spring mounting
pads.
2. Drywall may be either cut away or wood members may be fastened
over the drywall, according to the garage door manufacturer’s instructions.
Caution: Longer fasteners must be used when fastening wood over drywall. (i.e.,
Nails or screws must be ½” longer when fastening through ½” drywall,
etc.)
3. Securely fasten 2x6 (or larger) member at each jamb. (see
drawing)
4. Securely fasten a 2x4 (or larger) member at the header,
making the mounting surface flush with the jambs. (see drawing) 5. Securely
fasten a 2x4 (or larger) member at the header, making the mounting surface flush
with the jambs. (see drawing)
6. Where center-mount torsion springs are
to be mounted to the wall, securely fasten a vertical piece of 2x6 (or larger)
board above the center of the opening, flush with the header and extending to
the ceiling, for the spring mounting pad. CAUTION: This mounting pad
must of high quality lumber, must be capable of withstanding forces of torsion
springs, and must be securely mounted at top and bottom according to
manufacturer’s instructions.
7. Refer to manufacturer’s installation
instructions for fastening information. Pilot holes are recommended before
fastening lag screws. Always install lag screws perpendicular to the wood
surface.
BRACKETS OR ANGLES MOUNTED DIRECTLY TO DRYWALL
Follow the
manufacturer’s installation instructions for mounting track systems and spring
bearing brackets directly to drywall. Care should be taken by the installer not
to crush the drywall during the installation of the wall
fasteners.
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