How Heavy Is a Garage Door?
You might not think about it much, but your garage door is really important for your home. It keeps bad weather out and helps control how warm or cool your garage stays. Most importantly, it needs to be strong and tough to keep your things safe. So, how heavy is a garage door? Let’s discuss
How Much Does a Standard Garage Door Weigh?
Double doors weigh more than single doors. A standard 16×7 garage door usually weighs about 150 pounds for basic steel doors and 200 pounds for insulated double garage doors.
Garage Door Weight by Dimensions
If we use a vinyl garage door as an example, you can estimate its weight based on its size, such as width and length measurements. Different materials have general weight ranges you can refer to.
9×7 Garage Door Made of Vinyl:
- Without insulation, it typically weighs between 85 and 95 pounds.
- With insulation, it can weigh anywhere from 95 to 115 pounds.
14×7 Garage Door Made of Vinyl:
- Without insulation, it generally weighs between 135 and 150 pounds.
- With insulation, its weight can range from 145 to 170 pounds.
Effect of Insulation on Garage Doors Weight
Insulation can change the weight of a garage door depending on its quality, size, and the type of insulation used. This difference can range from 10 to 20 pounds or even more! Even though it might not seem like much, the added weight from insulation could require you to get new parts to ensure your garage door works well.
How Thickness Affects a Garage Door’s Weight?
Because thicker garage doors have more material, they tend to weigh more than thinner ones. Garage doors can vary in thickness, ranging from just over an inch to over three inches, depending on the material and their intended use.
Thinner doors are cheaper but less durable. Most garage doors are about 2 inches thick, striking a good balance between cost and durability for most people. The thinnest option, typically 1 3/8 inches thick, is nearly 30% lighter than the thickest option, which is a 2-inch door.
How Do I Estimate the Weight of My Garage Door?
If you need to weigh your garage door yourself, it’s a straightforward process. Following are a few steps to help you:
- Release Tension
First, carefully unwind the springs of the door to release the tension in the cables. After doing this, leave the door open. - Slide the Scale In
Next, slide your scale underneath the garage door opening so that the garage door will rest on it when it closes. Depending on the size of your garage door, you might need an industrial scale, or you can use a regular one you have at home. - Close the Door
In the final step, close your garage door gently until it rests on the scale. If the scale can handle the weight of your garage door, you will get immediate results. Remember to adjust the springs back to their normal function afterward.
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Final Word
It is important to find out “How heavy is a garage door?” to choose an opener that can handle its weight. Remember that besides your garage door’s own weight, things like damaged springs, problematic tracks, broken springs, or cables, and mechanism blockages can also make it heavy.
Need help with your garage door? Contact our professionals at Garage Door Service Master. We provide the best possible garage door solutions in and around Houston. Call us at:
(832) 391-8827
(832) 838-9090
(713) 769-8365