If you’re getting an automatic garage door opener installed on a roller door, there’s one thing that really matters – space. You need a certain amount of room for the opener to fit and work properly. But what if the setup is a bit too tight? That’s where a spacer plate comes in. It’s a simple little addition that solves a pretty common issue during installation.
So, What Is A Spacer Plate?
A spacer plate is basically a strong metal plate that lets us shift the door support bracket into a better position—without having to drill new holes. It uses the holes that are already there but creates extra clearance between your garage door and the bracket. That extra space is often exactly what’s needed to fit an automatic opener in a tight spot.
When Is A Spacer Plate Needed?
To install an opener on a roller door, you need:
- Approximately 6cm clearance between the edge of the door and the door support bracket.
- Approximately 10cm of clearance between the edge of the door and the wall (or anything sticking out from the wall).
If those gaps aren’t there, a spacer plate is usually the best fix.
Why Not Just Move The Bracket?
It might sound easy to just unscrew the bracket and shift it over a bit – but it’s not always that simple. If the wall is made of brick or concrete block, drilling new holes too close to the old ones can cause cracks and weaken the wall.
Remember, roller doors can weigh anywhere from 40kg to 100kg. That bracket needs to be rock solid, so your door stays safely in place.
That’s why moving the bracket on brick or block isn’t the best option. Timber walls are a bit more forgiving – you can often drill new holes without any problems. But if there’s not enough timber behind the wall for solid fixing, a spacer plate is still the safest option.
How Spacer Plates Solve The Problem
Spacer plates let us reuse the existing holes but give us a new mounting point for the bracket. That way, we’re not risking damage to the wall or the structure. Here’s what they do:
- Help avoid damage to brick or concrete.
- Provide a solid, stable fixing point.
- Make room for the automatic opener to fit properly.
They’re a neat, reliable fix that saves time, avoids mess, and gets the job done right without major changes to your garage.
Need Professional Assistance?
If you’re thinking about installing or upgrading a garage door opener and want to make sure everything fits the way it should, give me (Callum) at Lightning Garage Door Solutions a call.
We’ve been helping Brisbane locals with garage doors and openers for over 10 years. We’re fully licensed, insured, and everything we do is backed by our Lightning Warranty.