The amount of space in your garage determines what you can do with it. When you optimize your garage space, you create more room for your vehicle and even more storage. There are several ways to maximize garage space, and one of them is selecting the right track. Consider Consolidated Garage Doors for all your garage door needs. We can help you find the right garage door track for your space, ensuring a perfect fit.
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Understanding Garage Door Track Systems
Garage door tracks are the metal parts that form the pathway for the garage door as it opens and closes. These tracks are essential for the door’s movement, functioning like train tracks. To ensure smooth operation, you must keep the tracks in excellent condition, as that allows the rollers to glide with ease.
A well-functioning track system plays a big role in the door’s efficiency and space use. It allows the door to open and close smoothly, minimizing friction and strain on your garage door opener. Also, the different track configurations make it easy to select one that accommodates your garage space.
When choosing a garage door track system, it’s important to consider the unique layout of your garage and its specific dimensions. These factors will determine the proper type of track for your space. Here are the areas inside your garage that have unique dimensions that affect your choice of track system:
- Headroom: This is the space above the garage door, starting from the top of the door opening to the lowest point on the ceiling. That lowest point can be the ceiling or other obstacles, such as vents or piping. When measuring for headroom, the space should be large enough to fit the curving section of the tracks and other supporting parts.
- Backroom: This distance captures the depth of the garage from the top of the door opening to the back wall.
Overview of Garage Door Track Options
Here are the different track configurations or options you should know about:
Standard Lift Tracks
The standard lift track is the most common track option for residential garage doors. They are designed for standard ceiling heights where there’s enough headroom. Standard lift tracks are ideal if you have enough or moderate headroom and don’t need much vertical space.
Consult garage door professionals to learn about track specifications in relation to your unique garage layout. Consolidated Garage Doors will help you select the correct tracks for your space.
High Lift Tracks
The difference between high lift garage door tracks and standard tracks is the space required for the headroom. High lifts use the vertical space above the door by extending the tracks higher before beginning the horizontal curve. As a result, these specialized tracks maximize overhead space, creating more clearance room.
High lift systems have longer vertical tracks, making them ideal for garages with extended ceiling heights. If you need extra overhead clearance but are unsure if you have enough ceiling space for a high lift installation, it’s best to consult with a professional. Our team at Consolidated Garage Doors will evaluate your garage to ensure your door opening meets the necessary installation requirements for a high lift system.
Check out this video of a high lift track garage door in action — it’s operated by the 98032 LiftMaster® opener, a powerful side-mounted opener.
Follow Roof Pitch Lift
A follow roof pitch lift configuration is a custom garage door track. What makes it a custom solution is that the vertical tracks align with the angle of the roofline. The style complements the unique aspects of a garage’s architecture, maximizing vertical space. For homeowners with pitched or sloped ceilings, follow roof pitch lift is the ideal track option.
Due to its unique style, follow roof pitch lift tracks don’t block vertical space or take excessive backroom space. Usually, the headroom space for a follow roof pitch lift varies depending on the slope.
Pairing Garage Door Track With Opener
The garage door track configuration you choose also impacts your choice of opener. While overhead openers are perfect with standard lift tracks, they may be unfit for specialized tracks. The openers may not work well with increased vertical travel.
High lift and follow-roof pitch lift tracks need wall-mounted or jackshaft openers. That’s because of the need for straight-up travel and a higher operational power. Ideal opener examples are Jackshaft Liftmaster Opener models such as the Elite Series 98022 and Elite Series 98032. These openers are suitable for heavy-duty operation and space optimization.
Benefits of Choosing the Right Track System
Here are the benefits of selecting the right garage door track system for your unique space:
Space Optimization
Where ceiling space is crucial, you need specialized track systems like high lift and follow roof pitch lift. They offer a strategic way to free up ceiling space for storage, ventilation and lighting. These are different from standard tracks, which are only suitable for typical garages with less need for overhead space.
Improved Accessibility
Choosing a suitable garage door track system creates an efficient and accessible space. If you own farming equipment or tall vehicles, consider track options with better clearance. For a typical garage housing regular-sized vehicles, the standard track is the best. We can also retrofit your existing garage door with a new track option. If you’ve just purchased your dream car, but find that your existing garage door track is obstructing its entry, retrofitting your garage door system might be the solution! By upgrading to a more suitable track option, you can create the necessary clearance for your vehicle, ensuring both functionality and style in your garage.
Trust the Experts at Consolidated Garage Doors
Consolidated Garage Doors is a leader in the garage door and opener industry. Our SOLID since 1976® trademark is a testament to the decades of SOLID reputation. We are the longest-running Clopay® Master Authorized Dealer in Northern Illinois.
Besides sales, we offer garage door service and repair for homeowners in various locations in Northern Illinois. Services range from repairs and replacements to aesthetic upgrades. For example, we powder coat tracks and hardware for a durable and attractive finish. You can rely on our exceptional customer service to guide you to the best selection for your unique needs.
Contact Consolidated Garage Doors for Assistance
Selecting a track system that complements your layout and garage door type allows you to maximize space in your garage. If you’re not sure which track option is suitable for your space, consult Consolidated Garage Doors. We provide expert guidance and professional garage door track installation. Contact us to learn more or visit our showroom in Batavia, Illinois.
