u/IntelligentEntry1542

Low-headroom 15" radius vs 12" radius for 18x10 door

Low-headroom 15" radius vs 12" radius for 18x10 door

I'm working on my new-construction garage with a 18x10 door, and I'm limited on headroom (13") as well as backroom due to a beam (142"). I'm in a cold climate, so I'm looking at R-18 2" polyurethane doors. My understanding is that due to the backroom limitation that I'll likely need a jackshaft opener (perhaps I could make a Sommer work, but I don't want to tie myself to one opener brand), and I've read enough to understand this is a compromise where I might need pusher springs.

I don't have a lot of installers in my area, and my decent options are Clopay and Raynor. For the Clopay, they're happy to sell me a standard 12"-radius track. The Raynor dealer said their rep recommended a "commercial low headroom" track with a 15" radius on the lower/main track due to the weight of the door.

In my climate, getting a good seal on the top panel is important. I understand why jackshaft openers don't work well with the LHR tracks when the top track is essentially flat. The Raynor dealer described the commercial LHR track similar to this image I found online (I have no idea what manufacturer the image actually is) where the top track also has a good curve to it.

So, I'm hoping the experts can guide me as to what's a better system for a jackshaft opener on a 10' tall door: standard 12" radius or commercial low headroom with a 15" radius?

u/IntelligentEntry1542 — 13 hours ago