In residential garage doors the window section is placed in either the third section (second from the top) or the fourth (top) section depending on why you want to add windows. If you want to be able to look through the windows the third section is best. If you want privacy but still want to let daylight in, the fourth section is the best. If you want to be able to look outside but still want some privacy, you can request other window panes options such as obscure glass which still lets light in while maintaining privacy. It is also possible to place windows for example on only one side of the door in each panel, creating a vertical column of windows. This makes for a great contemporary look. For other window locations Styleview Series or Contemporary Series may be an option to pursue.

For generally larger commercial doors the placement of the window section depends on the surrounding structure and building aesthetics. Take into consideration where other windows in the building are placed and again what the purpose of the windows on the overhead door are. It is also possible to install several window sections on top of each other or make the entire door see-through. A so called full-view overhead door has glass windows in all sections. An alternative is installing an overhead door where see-through window panes are made out of lighter polycarbonate or acrylic material. Tell us about your needs and we can give you a free quote and discuss options.

Headroom is the space between the top of the door opening and the underside of the lowest part of the ceiling above the door. Required headroom for a commercial overhead door depends on which spring configuration and what kinds of tracks are to be used in the installation. Special follow the roof tracks, high-lift, full vertical tracks or dual-tracks can be used depending on how much headroom there is. For a standard door with torsion springs and 2” tracks with a 15” radius, requires minimum 16” of headroom. Adding for instance a trolley opener, requires even more headroom. We recommend however that you contact Easy Lift Doors so that we can have a look at your door opening and determine which tracks are best suited for your overhead door project as there are a lot of factors to consider.

Sideroom or side clearance is the measurement on each side of your overhead door opening to the nearest wall or obstruction. For smaller overhead doors allow 3” to 4” on either side and larger overhead doors 5” to 6” for standard spring and shaft configurations. If a side mounted opener is used a larger sideroom has to be accounted for to allow for fitting the opener beside the door.