Garage doors have become one of the more essential appliances in every home. In the past, it was just a door that you used to secure your car. Nowadays, they have become more popular because many people now use their garages for numerous purposes.
The versatility of the garage is the primary reason why garage doors have become more prominent. Your garage can be used as a workshop, as a craft/art room for you and your children, as a workspace, and just like some popular bands, you can start your band in your garage! And as a result of the role it plays, families pay close attention to every detail when selecting their garage door.
Some garage doors are operated manually, while others are automatic or electric, and they also come in various colors and styles. Factors like the door’s material, mechanism of the door, the R-value of the door are some of the elements you should consider before purchasing your garage door.
It would be best if you are also very careful when shopping for your garage door online. Do not buy from an online store that does not have an address and a phone number that you can call.
Make sure your garage door also has factory finishing, and double-check the size of the door for your garage before buying it. However, if you can avoid buying your garage from an online store, do so. Instead, buy from a physical store.
Furthermore, before buying and installing your garage door, it is best and safe for you to know the various parts of a garage door. Knowing the garage door features will help ensure that you make the right choice when selecting the right garage door type. Here are the various parts of a garage door.
Parts of a Garage Door
You can check all details via the below-illustrated diagram.
1) Door Opener
The door opener is the operator that houses the motor, which supplies power to the entire system. The door opener is the garage door’s brain box as it is responsible for controlling the whole system of the door.
This part of the garage door is fixed to the garage ceiling and controlled by either a wall button, remote, or keypad. Nowadays, door openers are connected to a Wi-Fi system, thereby allowing you to manage your garage door through an app on your phone or any other device.
The door opener has different parts, and one of them is the drive mechanism. It is responsible for the heavy lifting of your door when you open it and also lowering it down when you close it. Other parts of the door opener are the belt or chain and the emergency release rope.
The belt or chain is used to join the garage door with the carriage and trolley. This carriage is the equipment that is pulled onward the horizontal track to open and close the door.
Simultaneously, the trolley is the instrument used to join the carriage to the belt of the chain. If there is no power or your door opener is faulty, the emergency release rope allows you to disengage from your carriage and instead close and open your door manually.
2) Sensor
The garage door sensor is a piece of safety equipment that is used to prevent an accident in the garage. This part of the garage door senses if there is someone or thing under the garage door before closing to ensure that the door doesn’t fall on them. These sensors are stationed near the floor on both sides of the garage door.
The sensors work by emitting a laser. One sensor emits a laser while the other receives it; if a thing or person intercepts the laser, the garage door will not close. However, not all garage doors have these sensing edges. If you have children and pets, a garage door with sensors is the best option for you as it will help prevent the garage door from falling on them.
3) Tracks
The garage door tracks are the pathways that secure the door rollers and allow them to glide through from the floor to the garage ceiling whenever you want to open or close the garage door. These tracks are fixed above and on both sides of the garage door.
The track’s rollers are made from materials such as plastic, metal, or nylon. Do not lubricate your tracks. Instead, wipe them down occasionally using soap and water and ensure that your track is devoid of leaves, dust, and any other unwanted material. However, you can apply lubricants to your rollers twice a year or as soon as they start making any noises.
4) Sections and Hinges
Every garage door has several sections or panels. They are rectangular, and these sections beautify the garage door as they come in all types of colors and designs. Some garage door sections can have windows and also contain fancy hardware. They are made from materials such as vinyl, steel, wood, aluminum, fiberglass, etc.
On the other hand, hinges are the joints that connect the panels. They also allow the panels to transform from a vertical to a horizontal shape by folding and retracting into the ceiling whenever you want to open the door.
5) Torsion Spring
The torsion spring is a heavily coiled, vital piece that is fixed precisely above the garage door. While the motor produces all the energy needed to lift the door, the torsion spring makes the door’s movement easy. With its strong elasticity, the torsion spring holds and equalizes the weight of your garage door.
For manual garage door owners, the torsion spring is what makes it easy for you to lift your garage door. If your torsion spring is faulty, do not attempt to fix it yourself because it is always under extreme tension. Instead, contact a professional to fix it for you.
6) Cable Drums
Along with the torsion spring, the cable drum is responsible for balancing the garage door’s weight. The drums are ring wheels attached to a tube above the torsion spring. When the door is moving, the drum rotates and moves up or down the cable in correlation with the door’s movement.
7) Weather Seals
The weather seal is used to protect your garage door against bad weather and other outside elements. A good weather seal prevents your garage door from being affected by snow, rainfall, pests and keeps away any other factor that can damage your garage door. This part of the garage door is located at the bottom and sides of your garage door.
Conclusion
Every part of the garage door plays a significant role in ensuring that your garage door lasts for a long time. It is best to buy your garage door from a physical store and ensure you check that the parts are in good condition.
Make sure you choose a garage door that matches the color of your home and adds to the aesthetics as well.
