Overhead Garage Door Parts

Garage doors have many interconnected moving parts, and if one fails or loses efficiency, it can disrupt overall functionality. If you’re having issues with your garage door, contact our friendly, knowledgeable team at Garage Door Specialist. With over two decades of experience in the business, we’re the leading experts in North Carolina garage door repairs, maintenance, and installation.

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Parts of a Garage Door

Let’s break down the key components of your garage door

1 – Garage Door Cable Drum

The cable drum is responsible for winding and unwinding the garage door cables as the door opens and closes. The drum ensures that the door’s weight is evenly distributed across the cables, ensuring it’s balanced during operation. The grooved design of the drum keeps the cables in place, preventing them from slipping or overlapping.

2 – Garage Door Torsion Spring

Garage door torsion springs help lift and lower a garage door smoothly. They’re tightly wound coils of metal on a metal shaft, and they prevent your garage door from quickly slamming shut every time you close it. It also helps counterbalance the weight of the door through the tension stored in the spring, reducing the strain on the door opener motor.

3 – Garage Door Trolley

The trolley is responsible for moving the garage door along the track when the opener is activated. It connects the garage door to the drive system (either a belt, chain, or screw), guiding the door as it opens and closes. The trolley can be disengaged from the opener mechanism, usually through a pull cord or lever. This safety feature allows the door to be operated manually in case of a power outage or if the opener malfunctions.

4 – Garage Door Belt/Chain

The belt or chain connects the garage door opener motor to the door itself. When the motor is activated, the belt or chain moves, transferring the motor’s power to lift or lower the door.

5 – Garage Door Brackets

Garage door brackets provide support and stability to the whole garage door system. They serve as connection points between various parts of the system, including the tracks, rollers, hinges, and the door itself. They also help to distribute the weight of the door evenly and provide structural support, ensuring smooth and efficient operation.

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6 – Garage Door Opener or Motor

Garage door openers, aka garage door motors or operators, are motorized devices that automate the process of opening and closing garage doors. It consists of an electric motor attached to a track mechanism, which is connected to the garage door. The motor powers the movement of the door along the track, allowing it to open and close smoothly. The motor is usually attached to a wall-mounted switch and/or remote control units that allow it to operate.

7 – Garage Door Jambs

The jambs form the vertical sides of the garage door opening, supporting the weight of the door and anchoring the door tracks securely in place. Weatherstripping is often attached to the jamb, which helps to keep out rain, wind, and pests, as well as improve the insulation of the garage. It also serves an aesthetic role, providing a clean, finished look to the garage door opening. It can be painted or finished to match the exterior of the house, contributing to the overall curb appeal.

8 – Garage Door Struts

Garage door struts are horizontal metal bars or braces installed on the inside of the garage door panels. They reinforce and strengthen the garage door panels, reducing the stress on the hardware, particularly in wider doors or those made of heavier materials. They also provide additional support to prevent the door from sagging or bowing, especially under the pressure of high winds or heavy snow loads.

9 – Garage Door Sensor

Garage door sensors, also known as safety sensors and photoelectric sensors, are important safety features built into garage doors. They typically consist of two sensors, one on each side of the garage door near the floor. One sensor emits an infrared beam, while the other sensor receives it. When the beam is interrupted by an obstruction, the sensors signal the garage door opener to stop or reverse the door’s movement.

10 – Garage Door Emergency Release

The emergency release disengages the garage door from the automatic opener, allowing you to open or close the door manually. In situations where the garage door opener malfunctions or a person or pet is trapped under the door, the emergency release allows for immediate manual control, providing a critical safety measure. It is also used during routine maintenance or testing of the garage door system.

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11 – Weather Stripping

Also known as garage door seals or weather seals, weather stripping is designed to provide a barrier against elements such as rain, wind, dust, and pests. It essentially seals the gaps and spaces around the perimeter of the garage door and helps to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. This helps reduce energy costs by minimizing heat loss or gain, and it protects the items stored in the garage from moisture and pests.

12 – Garage Door Hinges

The hinges connect the individual panels together and allow the door sections to move smoothly along the tracks as it opens and closes.

13 – Garage Door Rollers and Tracks

Garage door rollers and tracks work together to help guide the garage door as it opens and closes. Tracks are attached vertically to garage walls and horizontally on the ceiling. They not only guide the rollers, but also help keep the door stowed overhead when the garage door is open.

Rollers are attached to the door panels. They’re typically made with steel and/or nylon attached to a metal stem, and often have ball bearings inside to make it smoother and quieter. The rollers move within the track and help reduce friction between the door and the track.

14 – Garage Door Wall Switch

The wall switch allows you to manually open and close the garage door with a simple push of a button. It’s typically installed inside the garage, near the entry door, for easy access. In the event of a malfunction with the remote controls or if they are misplaced, the wall switch serves as a reliable way to operate the garage door.

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