When designing a commercial or industrial garage door system, knowing which track configurations, jamb mounting types, sizes and materials are available is important in specifying the best track system for the situation. Specifying a track design that fully considers the operational needs of the facility as well as its’ spacial and structural details adds to the final products ability to last longer, operate smoother and allows it to function more reliably all while making the best use of the buildings’ space

Garage Door track selection starts with selecting one of two basic sizes that accommodates either two inch or three inch diameter rollers. These are the rollers that allow the door to transition through the track when the door is in motion and also positions the door in the opening in its’ resting positions. Two inch track systems are typically used for doors with less use such as: residential or smaller, light weight commercial doors and three inch track sizes are more commonly specified for doors with frequent use or doors that are larger, heavier or really need the structural integrity that three inch track offers

Basic garage door track construction consists of a set of horizontal tracks combined with single or multiple vertical track(s) components that are mounted to the wall with a full continuous wall angle, a wall angle with clips or independent track brackets that hold the track assembly to the wall when finally installed. All lower vertical tracks are designed to angle away from the opening at a rate of about 1/8” per foot of door height to match the hinge graduations. This permits the door to seal properly when closed and further allows the door to breakaway from the jambs when in motion

Another popular track design type, highlift track configurations are used in situations when the ceiling of the building exceeds the height of the door significantly and the more use of vertical building space or clearing an obstacle is important or necessary.

Highlift track configurations, when properly designed, allow the door to travel upward past the header then turn back horizontally clearing equipment, building components or other objects that are in the path of the door or track. The ceiling is typically flat in these situations, but they can be pitched as well.

A variation of standard lift track, this track design includes a 90 degree horizontal radius, but uses more vertical track (single or multiple pieces) and less horizontal track to allow the door to move upward past the header. This maximizes the use of available building space. When the door is fully open, a portion of the door rests in the vertical track

Similar to the standard lift track designs, highlift track uses vertical tracks mounted against the wall and connects with a horizontal track. The horizontal track is attached to the wall and vertical track near the header of the opening, and can be manufactured to include either a heavy duty headplate or designed for use with a bearing plate. The back of the horizontal track is mounted to the ceiling as well.

Doors with high lift track configurations see minimal to mild wear on door hinges, rollers and other hardware. They also allow the door sections to travel smoothly through the track.Jackshaft-type motor operators are recommended for doors using highlift track.Highlift track configurations are available in stainless steel or galvanized steel materials in both 2” and 3” sizes. They can also be constructed with any of track jamb mounting types including bracket or angle mount designs. See shop drawings for specific details including; headroom requirements, material gauges, etc.. Link/Click Here.........

Another popular track design type, highlift track configurations are used in situations when the ceiling of the building exceeds the height of the door significantly and the more use of vertical building space or clearing an obstacle is important or necessary.

Highlift track configurations, when properly designed, allow the door to travel upward past the header then turn back horizontally clearing equipment, building components or other objects that are in the path of the door or track. The ceiling is typically flat in these situations, but they can be pitched as well.

A variation of standard lift track, this track design includes a 90 degree horizontal radius, but uses more vertical track (single or multiple pieces) and less horizontal track to allow the door to move upward past the header. This maximizes the use of available building space. When the door is fully open, a portion of the door rests in the vertical track

Similar to the standard lift track designs, highlift track uses vertical tracks mounted against the wall and connects with a horizontal track. The horizontal track is attached to the wall and vertical track near the header of the opening, and can be manufactured to include either a heavy duty headplate or designed for use with a bearing plate. The back of the horizontal track is mounted to the ceiling as well.

Pitched or follow-the-roof track configurations are available for all highlift track designs. This type of track is a combination of highlift and pitched track and is particularly used for buildings with a sloped or pitched roof (ceiling) that exceed 3:12. Pitching the horizontal portion of the track further maximizes the use of the vertical space in a building and helps avoid obstructions such as: equipment, building components and other obstacles.

Like other highlift track configurations; highlift with pitched roof track designs allow the door to travel upward past the header, then turn back horizontally to avoid obstacles and utilize valuable vertical ceiling space. With follow-the-roof pitch designs, the horizontal track radius’s are modified to meet the pitch or angle desired but still allow the door to transition smoothly through the track.

Doors with pitched high lift configurations see minimal to mild wear on door hinges, rollers and other hardware. They also allow the door sections to travel smoothly through the track.

Jackshaft-type motor operators are recommended for doors using pitched highlift track.

Vertical lift track also referred as full vertical lift configurations are available for all applications where the headroom above the door opening is at least the height of the door, plus additional room for the spring assemblies.

This type of track uses all vertical track components and mounts completely to the wall of the building. When the door opens and closes, it uses almost all vertical space instead of turning back into the building like other track designs.

Often used in warehouses for dock doors and other commercial or industrial applications, this track design requires the least amount of backroom into the building allowing unobstructed floor-to-ceiling movement close to the opening.

Vertical lift track configurations use two aligned vertical tracks with the upper peice of track angled slightly away from the wall for clearance. Two basic vertical lift track designs are offered including units with a heavy duty headplate or a wall angle. Both include intermediate support brackets for the upper track to prevent bowing..


Doors with vertical high lift configurations produce the least wear on door sections hinges, rollers and other hardware due to the lack of movement required by these components when the door travels through its’ open and close cycles.

Jackshaft-type motor operators are recommended for doors using vertical lift track.

Vertical lift track configurations are available in stainless steel or galvanized steel materials in both 2” and 3” sizes. They can also be constructed with any of the track jamb mounting types including bracket or angle mount designs. See shop drawings for specific details including; headroom requirements, material gauges, etc.. Link/Click Here.........