Does pre-fitted steel frame for garage door need fitting at top?

Question

Does a pre-fitted steel frame for a (single-width) (Garador) garage door need fitting at the top? Or is it strong enough to function if it is only fixed at the sides?

The reason I ask is that my garage door opening, once I've knocked all the rotten timber out, will be about 10cm higher than the highest door that that manufacturer makes at the required 8ft width.

Sorry to ask here, but I emailed Garador and the guy who answered from their sales desk was a cut-and-paste merchant who couldn't be bothered to get his head around the question.

Basically I would like to pay a supplier to supply and fit, and then I can put a strip of non-structural plywood between frame and lintel. If I have to fit solid timber framing across the top, which would require some vertical pieces if it is to stay in place, I'd be tempted to think I might as well fit framing down the sides as well, and buy a door without a pre- fitted frame.

Thanks in advance.

Harry

Andy Burns · Accepted Answer

Mine (Hormann) is fixed at the sides only, with an infill of uPVC  cladding above.

Harry Bloomfield · Answer

Harold Davis laid this down on his screen :

If it is an up and over type door, then all of the strain is on the sides, so I would doubt it needs any solid structure above it.

Unless you have already ordered the door, then I would suggest you look at a powered roller door. They are much more convenient and can take up less space. A ready to fit, DIY, needn't cost any more than an up and over type.

Andrew Mawson · Answer

The uncooperative sales man needs to answer the question 'Do you want to make a sale' - if the answer is Yes then he needs to answer your initial question, but otherwise walk away and go elsewhere !

Sometime sales people need reminding what the customer / seller relationship is all about !

(Oh, and copy your emails to the Garador MD !!)

Andrew

Brian Gaff · Answer

I was going to say that I've actually seen transparent plastic used above  these doors when I could see, so that would kind of suggest its OK as long  as they actually made the frame strong enough.  Brian

mechanic · Answer

Garador seems the market leader, what are the alternatives?

Chris Hogg · Answer

We have, and are going to have in another property, Hormann. Very pleased with the one we have.

Mark Allread · Answer

Hormann here too and at the previous place.  Currently two roller shutter  type and one sectional.

newshound · Answer

On 7/24/2017 9:29 PM, Harry Bloomfield wrote:

Does pre-fitted steel frame for garage door need fitting at top?

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