If you have a nice driveway with a garage, you might want to avoid dealing with digging and pole-mounted system and install basketball backboard on a garage roof.
In this article, we’ll try to teach you how to mount a basketball hoop on a garage as smooth as possible. Also, we’ll answer some specific questions to avoid confusion and unnecessary mess.
It’s 2019 and fortunately, manufacturers are offering basketball systems adjustable and adaptable enough to install to any garage roof.
There are two ways to mount a basketball backboard to the roof:
1. Classic way – Using a mounting bracket
2. Alternative way – Using wooden frames
Many roof-mounted basketball hoops adjust up to four and a half feet in height with the application of slide mechanisms and nut-and-bolt lock-downs. They also give the choice of various backgrounds and rims, creating a unit to your desire. Assembly instructions are included in most basketball systems, making for a simple installation.
If you’re worried about mounting bracket not fitting your roof, don’t be. There are innovative brackets with a sturdy A-frame style. Basically, the bracket is coupled with telescoping handle arms allowing you to get the basketball system level no matter what pitch your garage roof is at.
This is the table from one of our previous articles. Here you can see which mounting bracket fits your backboard.
| MOUNTING BRACKETS-> | Lifetime Mounting Kit model 9594 | Spalding U-turn Lifting System | Lifetime 1044 Quick Adjust Conversion Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape and diameter of suitable pole | Round: 3.5'' | Round: 3.5'', 4'' Square: 4'' | Round: 3.5'' Round: 4'' |
| Compatible backboard models | Spalding 44'' Lifetime 44'' – 54'' | Lifetime 48'' – 54'' Spalding 48'' – 54'' | Huffy, Spalding 44'' Lifetime 44'' - 54'' |
How to choose the right spot to install basketball hoop on a garage roof?
Before even starting installing a backboard, you must see if you have the right spot to do it. You want to choose at least close to level and smooth area. If you have a driveway in front of a double garage, you’re good to go.
Consider the following things:
• The installing surface needs to be stable and solid. Connecting the bolts to studdings will save the basketball system from dropping or shaking.
• The installing area of the garage must be level and not blocked by the roof line. The regular backboard size is 72 by 42 inches, but smaller backboards will often do the work, especially if you’re doing this for kids.
• Regulation rim height in the NBA is 10 feet from the ground. A rim has an 18-inch diameter, and the net falls 18 inches below the hooks on the rim. While not needed for a home basketball court, these measures will help guide you. If you’re doing this for smaller kids, feel free to lower the basketball backboard to a proper height.
• Make sure that the net clears the space in front of the garage door. Also, make sure you choose the basketball backboard and hoop exactly for a wall mount application. This will require extra mounting brackets that are sold individually.
How to mount a basketball backboard on a garage roof?
First, you’ll need to evaluate the area and line the spots on the roof to know where to put a bracket.
Aside from the roof-mount basketball system and mounting bracket, you’ll need the tools like an anti-seize lubricant, stud finder, marker, small level, screwdriver, and of course, a ladder.
You’ll also need extra tools which will be defined by the manual that came with the basketball backboard kit. If the instructions include perforated support tubes, don’t place them lower than 98 inches above the playing court.
Slightly loosen the bolts because overtightening them can make it difficult to crank.
Part 1: Mounting bracket
1. To assure you have enough playing space, you’ll need to pick an area on the garage roof. Regarding the playing surface, it must be level and big enough. The roof shouldn’t be too low so the rim meets the 10-feet mark above the playing court. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions here.
2. Using hex bolts, lock washers, & hex nuts fasten the main support to the front tubes fixed to the front of the perforated supports. Cover all bolts with an anti-seize lubricant to secure against rust and assure decent pivot work. Don’t lubricate bolt threads. Clean the lubricant off your fingers with wipers.
3. Get an electronic stud finder and center a ladder in front of your garage roof, preferably somewhere in the middle. Have a friend to help you hold a ladder. When you determine the roof studs, mark them with a marker. It would be best to use a silver or black one, but whatever color you choose, use the one that will show up best.
4. Using a hand drill and 1/8-inch drill bit, drill pilot holes on the garage roof around a quarter the size of the lag bolts that will be used when mounting the bracket.
Don’t overtighten them with a screwdriver, and use the right number (to fit your model) of lag screws and washers to tighten the frame.
You’ll also need to cover the screws and the area around the holes with a standard waterproof silicone. Use caulk to stop water from leaking into the holes.
5. Install the bracket onto the garage roof, lining the holes and securing the mounting bracket to the roof with the lag bolts, a socket, and ratchet.
Place the small level on the front of the frame to ensure it is straight. Tighten telescoping rods with enough hex bolts according to your model with a torque or socket wrench.
6. Adjust the entire installation to the garage roof. It’s crucial that the bottom of the support tubes is not lower than 97” above the court. If it’s lower than 97” the rim may not adjust thoroughly to 10’.
Next, make sure the whole assembly is sitting straight on the roof (not at an angle) before fully attaching the structure to the roof. This will ensure that the basketball hoop will be square with your playing court.
When you’re convinced that the bracket is well attached to the roof and that the roof is sufficient to sustain the weight of your basketball hoop, continue with the process.
Part 2: Attaching backboard
7. It’s time to unpack the backboard if you haven’t already. When purchasing an acrylic backboard you get two rubber gaskets with it. They are used to make sure there isn’t any steel-to-acrylic contact. You’ll place one of them between the H-frame and the backboard, and the other one between the rim and the front of the backboard.
8. Line up the holes at the top of the structure with the ones in the top of the H-Frame. Hang the backboard loosely attaching backboard at those holes. Use the hardware given with the basketball hoop package. Do the same with the four holes at the bottom of the structure as well.
If you bought an acrylic backboard, remember to put the gasket between the backboard and the front of the mounting bracket. Use tape to keep it in place during installation.
9. Use a measuring rope and crank the backboard until rim reaches 10’ from playing court. Make a line with a pencil on the side of the adjustment mechanism where the height pointer stops. Use the handle and crank the backboard upward as much as you can.
10. Now please ensure the basketball hoop with mounting bracket has been fully tightened. If a backboard is hard to crank you probably overtightened the bolts. Try loosening them simultaneously checking over the hoop to ensure no hardware has loosened.
When the basketball system is fastened well to the garage roof, the basketball is going to bounce off the board at the right angles. A safe and secure basketball system will give you years of joy and pleasure.
Was this easier than you thought? Are there some other issues with this you would like to fix? Comment down below if there are, and for more on hoops and basketball, stay tuned to Improve Hoops. Thank you.
