Has anyone increased their garage door height?

[mscot]

We're going to replace our garage door in the next year (it's the original from the 60's - no insulation, a few cracks in the frame, and it only goes up/down when it wants to rather than when we want it to)
It's the standard 7' tall and I was wondering if anyone had increased theirs to 7'6" or 8' and if so, what the cost to do it was (~ is fine).

I doubt it's an investment I'll be willing to make but I'd like to have an idea from someone that's done it before I waste a contractor/my time.

TIA

 

[Runn4est]

I have not done this, but it has been something that I've considered, and my Dad is a contractor. From what he told me, it would not be very difficult or expensive to complete. He also said it was something I could do myself fairly easily.

I consider myself to be fairly handy, (don't we all?), but something to consider...How much additional height does your existing ceiling allow for? For example, my garage door opening is 7 feet with 6'8 door clearance. I have a 9 foot ceiling so realistically, I could probably make a little under an 8 foot clearance without having to structurally change anything. My truss design is also such that I could make my 2 doors one full door so I do not have to worry about screwing up any load bearing studs.

Not too much help, sorry. Just some stuff to think about.

 

[mscot]

ours is a single door. pretty sure we'd have to raise the header which is not something I have any desire to attempt myself.

 

[wcjeep]

At our old house swapping the old single piece door for a modern multipiece door gave us an extra 10" or so of clearance. The old style single piece door takes more room than you think.

Would have been nice to know ahead of time. I bought a $2k hardtop for my Jeep to fit in the garage. Hardtop has more clearance vs factory softop. Two weeks later a contractor damaged the single piece door. New garage door installed for free. $2k hardtop no longer necessary.

 

[MissouriBreaks]

ours is a single door. pretty sure we'd have to raise the header which is not something I have any desire to attempt myself.

I have considered it and have ample clearance for an 8-foot door.

Raising the header on mine would not be too difficult, as it is not a load bearing header, but one has to adjust all of the trim on the outside, trim the siding, the drywall on the inside, etc.

I will probably do it, when the door needs to be replaced, but that could be a few years yet.

 

[mscot]

we have a hip roof. my research shows that could make it costly but no idea how much more than if it were a gable end.

 

[fourwd1]

Moving to Off Topic

 

[trey99ek]

I've often thought about it. I clear mine by less than an inch with my fold down kayak racks on. If I wasn't moving to my fiances place I'd think more seriously about it. I'd rather not waste the money now because she needs a whole garage makeover. She keeps telling me I'll be outside since we both have 2 cars and only 2 garage spaces. Maybe I should move on.

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[MSRP.]

I understand you are replacing an old single piece door, but when considering replacing with a bigger door, are you simply looking for more clearance from floor to the underside of the door when "up"?

If so, forget about modifying the header and just go with a side/wall mount garage door opener and replace the horizontal section of tracks. Something from liftmaster would fit the bill, and easily buy you many inches of clearance by removing the ceiling mounted opener.

 

[mscot]

I understand you are replacing an old single piece door, but when considering replacing with a bigger door, are you simply looking for more clearance from floor to the underside of the door when "up"?

If so, forget about modifying the header and just go with a side/wall mount garage door opener and replace the horizontal section of tracks. Something from liftmaster would fit the bill, and easily buy you many inches of clearance by removing the ceiling mounted opener.

It isn’t a single piece. It’s 4 sections.
I want a taller garage so I can put a box on the roof during the winter.
Header will have to go up.


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[theesotericone]

Header will have to go up.

Which will have to be engineered since it's load bearing because of your hip roof. It's not gonna be cheap but it's a pretty easy job.