My garage door opens close to ceiling w/no room for railing for opener. how can i install w/finished ceiling?

Question

My garage door opens close to ceiling w/no room for railing for opener. how can i install w/finished ceiling?

Answer 1

Go to liftmaster.com and check out their Model 3800. You will need to run an outlet box for power. This is a residential unit that looks better than anything that has come along in years.  From the site you can download a pdf installation manual so you can see if it will work.  PLEASE let me know how it works out or e-mail with questions. Of course I DO NOT charge folks for this. Make sure not to use their wireless keypad that reads fingerprints, it does not work very well. You might also use a regular operator along with quick turn or O/E brackets, but that is a judgement call and would have to be seen in person.Does the door actually touch the ceiling on its' way up and what is the distance from the outside of the top section of the door to the ceiling with the door raised? Many door places give free estimates so you might try them.

Answer 2

check the opener, some are designed to be mounted directly to the ceiling without the supporting angle iron

Answer 3

It is possible to install Liftmaster/Chamberlain brand openers with as little as 1.5" of clearance between the top section and the ceiling (when the door is raised).  If there is less room than this then you may be able to use the 3800 model that the fellow mentioned above but they do not work with all models of doors.  A cheaper route may be to purchase some "quick turn" brackets to put on the top secion in place of the existing top roller brackets.  These cause the top section to turn back quicker and will sometimes give you the extra clearance you need to get an opener rail above the door.  Hope this helps!