Convert your manual garage door to automatic. Expert conversion in Frontenac, KS.
Every morning you bend down, grab the handle, and lift. One hundred fifty pounds, two hundred pounds — whatever your door weighs, you lift it by hand, hold it while you duck under, walk to your car, and hope it stays up. Every evening you come home, get out of the car, walk to the door, grab the handle, and pull it down. In the rain. In the dark. In Frontenac's summer heat. With groceries in your arms. With kids waiting in the car.
You do this twice a day, every day, because your garage door does not have an opener. It is a manual door — functional, possibly in perfectly good condition — but manually operated. No remote. No wall button. No keypad. No app. No safety sensors. No auto-reverse. No security lock-out. No battery backup for storms. Just you, your hands, and 150 or more pounds of door.
Converting your manual garage door to automatic operation is one of the most impactful convenience upgrades available for your home. It transforms a twice-daily physical task into a button press from the comfort of your car. It adds safety systems that prevent the door from closing on people and pets. It adds security that locks the door automatically every time it closes. It adds smart features that let you monitor and control the door from your phone. And it adds value to your home — automatic garage door operation is a standard expectation for today's buyers.
Kustom is the team Frontenac homeowners call to make the conversion. We evaluate your existing door, determine what preparation is needed, select the right opener for your door and priorities, install with proper reinforcement and complete safety systems, and deliver the full automatic experience — from the first remote press to the last safety test.
Stop lifting. Start pressing. Call (888) 670-9331.
A manual garage door requires you to be physically present, on foot, outside the car, at the door, using both hands and significant force to raise or lower a heavy panel assembly. There is no shortcut, no remote alternative, and no way to operate the door from inside your vehicle.
One press from a remote in your car, a button on the wall, a keypad outside, or your smartphone. The door opens while you sit in the driver's seat. It closes behind you as you walk into the house. The entire operation happens without you touching the door, bending down, lifting weight, or standing in the weather.
A manual door that is not properly balanced or whose springs are weakened can slam down with dangerous speed and force. An automatic opener controls the door's speed and force throughout the entire cycle. Photo-eye sensors — required on every automatic opener — prevent the door from closing on anything in its path. Auto-reverse stops the door and reverses if it contacts resistance.
A manual door relies on a manual lock that you must remember to engage every time you close the door. An automatic opener locks the door into position every time it closes — no forgetting, no wondering, no coming back to check.
In Frontenac's frequent rainstorms and summer downpours, the difference between opening the door from inside your car and standing in the rain to lift it manually is the difference between arriving dry and arriving soaked.
For aging homeowners, anyone with physical limitations, and households where not every member can lift 150-plus pounds, automatic operation transforms the garage from a physical challenge into an effortless daily convenience.
Automatic garage door operation is a standard expectation in today's real estate market. A manual door is noticeable to buyers and appraisers. Conversion adds perceived value and removes a potential objection during resale.
Door Condition — Is It Sound Enough for Automation? The door must be structurally sound — panels intact, no severe rust or rot, no significant warping or deformation. An opener adds force to the door that a manual lift does not. A door in poor condition may not withstand the stress of automated operation. Kustom assesses panel condition, structural integrity, and overall soundness before proceeding.
Door Type and Configuration — Sectional, Tilt-Up, Roll-Up: Sectional doors — the most common type with multiple horizontal panels connected by hinges — are the most straightforward conversion candidates. Tilt-up (one-piece) doors can be converted but require specific opener types and additional considerations. Roll-up doors may require specialized approaches. Kustom evaluates your door type and confirms conversion viability.
Spring System — Condition and Compatibility: The spring system must be functional and properly matched to the door's weight. A manual door with weakened springs may operate acceptably by hand but create problems for an opener. Springs may need replacement, re-tensioning, or upgrading as part of the conversion preparation.
Track and Roller Condition: Tracks must be properly aligned and rollers must be serviceable. An opener pushes the door through the track system with consistent force — track misalignment and worn rollers that a manual operator compensates for instinctively will create problems for an automated system. Track and roller condition is assessed and addressed before opener installation.
Balance — Can the Door Be Properly Counterbalanced? An opener is designed to move a balanced door — a door whose weight is offset by the spring system so the opener provides only the additional force for controlled movement. A door that is significantly out of balance puts excessive strain on the opener. Balance is verified and corrected as part of conversion preparation.
Structural Support — Can the Ceiling and Header Support an Opener? A ceiling-mounted opener hangs from the garage ceiling and connects to the header above the door opening. Both must be structurally adequate to support the opener's weight and the forces of operation. Garages with lightweight trusses, cathedral ceilings, or insufficient header framing may need reinforcement.
Headroom — Is There Enough Clearance Above the Door? Standard opener installation requires clearance above the door opening for the rail, motor unit, and trolley travel. Low-headroom garages may require specialized low-clearance hardware or a wall-mount opener that does not use a ceiling rail.
Electrical Access — Is There Power in the Garage Ceiling Area? An opener requires a standard electrical outlet near the ceiling where the motor unit mounts. Many garages with manual doors do not have ceiling outlets. Electrical work to install an outlet may be part of the conversion scope.
A door that is severely deteriorated, structurally compromised, badly warped, extensively rusted or rotted, or fundamentally incompatible with automation is not a good conversion candidate. In these cases, Kustom recommends full door and opener replacement as a better investment than converting a door with limited remaining life.
Click here to Call (888) 670-9331We evaluate the door's condition, type, weight, spring system, tracks, rollers, balance, and hardware. We assess the garage structure — ceiling, header, available headroom, and electrical access. This assessment determines conversion viability and identifies all preparation needed.
Before the opener is installed, the door is prepared — reinforcement strut added if needed, springs serviced or replaced, rollers and hinges upgraded if worn, tracks adjusted, balance corrected, and manual locks addressed.
Based on assessment, we recommend the opener type, drive system, horsepower, and features appropriate for your door, your garage configuration, and your priorities. We present options with cost and feature context.
The header bracket is mounted to the wall above the door opening. The motor unit mounting point on the ceiling is prepared — with reinforcement added if the ceiling structure requires it. Secure mounting is essential for safe, quiet, vibration-free operation.
The rail is assembled and mounted, connecting the header bracket to the motor unit. The drive mechanism — chain, belt, or screw — is installed and tensioned. The motor unit is secured to the ceiling mount.
The door arm connects the opener's trolley to the door through a bracket mounted on the top panel. This bracket distributes the opener's force across the panel. On doors without a reinforcement strut, the concentrated force at this connection point can buckle the top panel — which is why strut installation is often part of conversion preparation.
The opener is connected to a standard electrical outlet. If no outlet exists in the ceiling area, electrical work is performed to install one — either extending an existing circuit or adding a dedicated circuit depending on the garage's electrical configuration.
Photo-eye safety sensors are mounted on each side of the door opening near the floor and wired to the opener. These sensors are federally required on every residential garage door opener and are a critical safety component of the conversion.
The wall-mounted control button is installed and wired. Remotes are programmed to the opener. If a keypad is included, it is mounted, programmed, and tested. If smart features are part of the opener, Wi-Fi is configured and the app is set up.
The opener's force settings are calibrated for the door's specific weight and friction characteristics. Travel limits are set for precise full-open and full-close positions. Safety sensors are tested with an obstruction. Auto-reverse is tested by placing an object in the door's path. The door is cycled multiple times from every control — remote, wall button, keypad — to verify smooth, reliable, safe operation.
Top Panel Reinforcement Strut: The most common preparation requirement. The opener pulls the door from a single bracket on the top panel. Without a reinforcement strut — a steel bar spanning the full width of the top panel — the concentrated force can buckle the panel. A strut distributes the force evenly and is essential for most conversions.
Spring Upgrade or Replacement: Manual doors may have original springs that are weakened, incorrectly rated, or nearing end-of-life. An opener depends on properly functioning springs for balanced operation. Spring replacement or upgrade during conversion ensures the opener works with properly counterbalanced weight.
Roller and Hinge Upgrade: Builder-grade or worn rollers create friction that an opener must overcome. Upgrading to sealed-bearing nylon rollers during conversion reduces friction, noise, and opener strain — starting the automated system with optimal rolling components.
Track Adjustment or Replacement: Tracks that have shifted, corroded, or been damaged must be corrected before an opener forces the door through them thousands of times. Track work during conversion prevents the binding and premature wear that bad tracks create.
Lock Removal or Conversion: Manual locks that slide a bar into the track must be removed or permanently disabled before an opener is installed. If the opener operates while the lock is engaged, the door is physically anchored and the opener will strip gears or damage the door trying to move it.
Bottom Bracket Modification: Some manual doors have bottom brackets configured for manual operation that need modification for proper cable routing and opener compatibility.
Weatherseal Installation: If the manual door lacks proper weathersealing — bottom seal, side weatherstripping, header seal — the conversion is an ideal time to add a complete seal system that the automatic door will compress into every time it closes.
Click here to Call (888) 670-9331The most cost-effective option. Chain drives are durable and dependable. They are louder than belt drives, making them best suited for detached garages or situations where noise is not a concern.
The preferred choice when the garage is below or adjacent to bedrooms or living spaces. Belt drives provide smooth, quiet operation at a modest premium over chain drive. Kustom recommends belt drive for most Frontenac attached-garage conversions.
For garages with limited headroom, cathedral ceilings, or situations where the ceiling must remain clear, wall-mount openers eliminate the ceiling rail entirely. They mount beside the door and drive the torsion shaft directly. The premium option in both price and performance.
Horsepower — Matching Motor to Door Weight: Standard residential openers come in 1/2 HP, 3/4 HP, and 1-1/4 HP ratings. The correct rating depends on the door's weight, size, and insulation. Kustom matches horsepower to your specific door.
Smart Features — Wi-Fi, App Control, Battery Backup: Current-generation openers offer smartphone control through Wi-Fi connectivity, real-time status monitoring, activity alerts, guest access, and battery backup for power-outage operation. Battery backup is particularly valuable in Frontenac, where storm-related power outages are common.
For most Frontenac conversions, Kustom recommends a LiftMaster belt drive opener with battery backup — quiet operation for attached garages, reliable performance, myQ smart connectivity, and power-outage capability for storm season. We present this alongside other options so you can choose what fits your priorities and budget.
Photo-Eye Safety Sensors — Federally Required: Every conversion includes photo-eye safety sensors — the infrared beam system that prevents the door from closing on people, pets, and objects. These are required by federal law on every residential garage door opener installed since 1993.
Auto-Reverse on Obstruction: The opener's force-sensing system detects when the door contacts an unexpected object during closing and immediately reverses the door. This provides a second layer of safety beyond the photo-eye sensors.
Manual Release for Power Outages: Every opener includes an emergency manual release — a red-handled cord that disconnects the door from the opener, allowing manual operation during power outages.
Timer-to-Close and Auto-Lock Features: Available on many current openers — a timer that automatically closes the door after a set period if left open, preventing the garage from being inadvertently left open and unsecured.
Battery Backup for Storm Season Operation: Battery backup models continue operating during power outages — providing automated opening and closing when you need it most. Kustom strongly recommends battery backup for every Frontenac conversion.
Tilt-Up (One-Piece) Door Conversion: One-piece doors that tilt outward and slide overhead as a single panel require specific opener types and mounting approaches. Kustom converts tilt-up doors with hardware and technique appropriate for their unique operation.
Very Heavy or Oversized Doors: Doors that are significantly heavier than standard — thick wood, oversized panels — require higher-horsepower openers and reinforced mounting. Kustom matches opener capacity to the actual door weight.
Low-Headroom Garages: Garages with minimal clearance above the door opening may not accommodate standard opener rail height. Low-headroom conversion uses specialized hardware or wall-mount openers that do not require ceiling clearance.
Detached Garages Without Electrical Service: A detached garage without electrical outlets near the ceiling — or without electrical service at all — requires electrical work as part of the conversion. Kustom coordinates electrical installation to provide the power the opener requires.
Historic Homes — Preserving Appearance While Adding Automation: Some homeowners want to preserve the exterior appearance of a manual door — particularly carriage-style doors on historic homes — while adding the convenience of automation. Kustom approaches these conversions with sensitivity to the door's character.
Two-Car Tandem or Side-by-Side Multi-Door Conversions: Garages with multiple manual doors can be converted simultaneously. Multi-door conversion provides efficiency in installation and often a better per-door cost.
When Conversion Is the Right Choice: When the existing door is structurally sound, cosmetically acceptable, and has significant remaining life — typically doors less than 10 to 15 years old in good condition. Conversion preserves the existing door and adds automation at a lower cost than full replacement.
When Full Door + Opener Replacement Delivers Better Value: When the existing door is deteriorated, damaged, poorly insulated, aesthetically outdated, or nearing end-of-life. New door plus opener provides a complete, warrantied, matched system.
The Age and Condition Factor: A door in good condition with 10 or more years of expected remaining life is a strong conversion candidate. A door approaching end-of-life with visible deterioration is a better candidate for full replacement.
We recommend conversion when the door justifies the investment. We recommend replacement when conversion would be putting automation on a door that is running out of time. Our recommendation is based on your door's actual condition and your best interest.
Click here to Call (888) 670-9331What Determines the Cost: Cost depends on the opener selected, the door preparation required, the structural reinforcement needed, and whether electrical work is part of the scope.
| Conversion Tier | Description | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Conversion | Door ready, electrical access, standard chain-drive opener. | $300 to $500 |
| Standard with Prep | Includes reinforcement strut, spring service, or track adjustment. | $450 to $800 |
| Premium Conversion | Belt drive, battery backup, Wi-Fi, and complete keypad. | $500 to $900 |
| Electrical Work | Installation of a ceiling outlet (if none exists). | $150 to $350 |
The Value Calculation: The daily convenience of automatic operation, the safety of sensors, the security of automatic locking, and the home value contribution make this one of the highest-return home upgrades available.
Kustom provides manual to automatic garage door conversion throughout every neighborhood in Frontenac and the greater metro area. Call (888) 670-9331 to confirm coverage.
Tomorrow morning, instead of bending down and lifting 150 pounds by hand, you could press a button from your car. Kustom makes it happen. One assessment, one installation, and the last day you ever lift your garage door by hand.
That is what conversion gives you. Every morning, every evening, every day. Call (888) 670-9331 today.
Click here to Call (888) 670-9331