How to Frame a Garage Door

Almost all garage doors are rough openings whenever a home is built.  This opening has to be finished and framed prior to a garage door being put in.  Constructing a garage door frame is straight to the point and can be completed within an afternoon.  It isn’t hard but you need to know the proper instructions to get the job done.

Things you will need to frame a garage door:

• Hammer


• Measuring tape


• 6 foot level


• 8 foot step ladder


• Helper


• 3 2 x 6 x 10 salt treated lumber based on an 8 foot by 7 foot garage door


• Circular Saw


• 16 penny nails

1. Figure out the size of the garage door that needs to be put in.  The finished opening has to be the exact same size as the garage door.


2. Make sure the jambs are 17 inches taller than the garage door height.  If you have a seven coot tall garage door, the jamb should be eight feet and four inches tall.  Take two pieces of the salt treated lumber and use a circular saw to cut to measurement.


3. Take measurements of the rough opening to make sure it is the correct size and don't forget to divide the overage by two, and space the jamb accordingly.  If your door is eight feet wide and the rough opening is eight foot four inches, the jambs have to be placed with a two inch overhang from each side.


4. Take 16 penny nails and join the jamb boards at the top and bottom to be plumb and use a six foot level.  When they are plumb, nail the jamb board to the frame.


5. Take measurements of the distance in between the two jambs located at the top of the header.  You will then cut another piece of salt treated lumber to the measurement.


6. Have somebody help put the header board between the jambs and nail it into place.


7. Measure between the jambs for dead center at the top of the jamb boards.  You will do the same at the top of the header board, mark with a pencil.


8. Cut a 14 inch piece of scrap salt treated lumber.


9. Nail the 14 inch scrap center of the opening vertically, over the header board.