Subject: Re: "proper" way to install garage door opener
From: JvB 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Posted-And-Mailed: yes
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2003 18:36:25 GMT

It is true that the brackets or straps that come with GDO's are usually
lightweight, but they do work. Keep in mind that the straps that hold the
opener motor are only to only hang it.  The lateral forces in
opening/closing the door are mainly in the header bracket and the beam
between the motor and bracket. With that said it's a matter of looks, I
think the supplied brackets look lousy. I like to use metal rigid conduit (3
or 4 pieces), cut to length and flatten the ends and drill a hole in each
end to bolt it to the motor and ceiling beam/joist  (or ceiling bracket).
Depending on whether you have a finished ceiling, what beams are available,
or not, you may need a bracket or two to attach the conduit to or you bend
the flattened end to the correct angle to match the ceiling and a beam
behind it. The Brackets that the sales guy mentioned are also fine, some are
painted and again just look better.

John von B

> From: tedneeley@yahoo.com (ted)
> Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
> Date: 15 Dec 2003 14:02:13 -0800
> Subject: "proper" way to install garage door opener
> 
> We went to Lowe's yesterday to check out the garage door openers
> available. The store employee who's showing us the models said that we
> also need to buy steel angled brackets (sold separately) that have pre
> drilled holes in them. He said we need to fix two of these to the
> garage ceiling and then drop two more brackets vertically to connect
> to the motor casing. Is the right thing to do? He said the brackets
> that come with the opener tend to be flimsy.
> 
> those of you that have installed a GDO yourselves please advise.
> Thanks.