A garage door can be a complicated beast. While they might look simple on the surface, there’s actually a complex system of moving parts at play, ensuring that your door is opening and closing as it should. Every part of a garage door is playing its role in ensuring safe and smooth operation, each time you hit that button on your remote.
Getting to know the various garage door components will make it much easier for you to identify issues before they become big problems. You might even be able to take care of minor maintenance yourself. You’ll also be able to chat with garage door technicians with more confidence, and even save time and money in the long run.
This guide will break down all the different components of a garage door system, and what they do. Let’s get into it.
The Different Parts Of A Garage Door, Explained:
Did you know that the average garage door relies on more than 65 operational and structural components working together? Let’s take a look at the main components of a garage door system (though not every single one of course!).
Section
These are the horizontal panels that form the face of the garage door. They’re usually made of steel, and each section is hinged together and reinforced, to make sure they move smoothly and remain robust. They are designed to make it easy to replace individual sections without needing a whole new door.
Tracks
The tracks are critical parts of the garage door system, as they guide the door as it opens and shuts, keeping it in position. There are both vertical and horizontal tracks on each side of your door. The curved parts of these tracks are called the radius.
Rollers Or Wheels
The rollers are the small wheels that run along the tracks. They are the key to a smooth motion as the door either opens or closes.
Top Brackets
The top brackets are mounted on the top corners of the door itself. They hold the door in place and provide structural support to the lifting cables. If these are damaged, you will need help from a garage door maintenance expert.
Bottom Brackets
The bottom brackets are located at the bottom of the door (as expected!) and secure the bottom rollers. They also provide a solid anchor for the lifting cables.
Hinges
The hinges connect each section of the door and allow it to move up and down easily. They flex when the door moves, and keep it aligned while it’s operating.
Cables
The cables are found on both sides of the garage door, and they work with the spring system to lift and lower the door. They are a critical component of a garage door system, and provide a safe and smooth operation when properly maintained.
Drums
The drums help maintain balance when the door is opening or closing. They make sure that the cables are winding evenly, and they are located on the shaft of the torsion spring.
Torsion Springs
The torsion springs do most of the heavy lifting! When the door is opening or closing, the torsion springs wind and unwind, carrying the weight of the door. When these are broken the garage door won’t be able to be operated until they are replaced.
Operator Hanger
This is a metal bracket that supports the automatic door opener and is anchored to the ceiling. It also keeps the horizontal tracks in place.
Emergency Pull Cord
This cord stops the motor when it is pulled. Once pulled, you can manually raise or lower your garage door, which is handy in a power outage or an emergency situation.
Electric Operator
This is also known as the automatic opener, and it is the motorized unit that opens and closes the door when you push the button. It’s one of the most integral automatic garage door components.
Operator Rail
The operator rail houses the drive mechanism (chain, belt, or screw) that opens or closes the door when it’s engaged.
Rear Track Hanger
The rear track hangar keeps the horizontal tracks secured to the ceiling, adding structural support and alignment to ensure smooth and safe operation at all times.
Bearing Plate
This plate provides support to the shaft and springs. It’s normally located at the end of the torsion system and attached to the wall above the door.
Sensor
The garage door sensors use light transmitters and emit an invisible beam. If something breaks the beam, the door will stop moving and reverse, making it a critical component for safety.
Get Expert Maintenance For Your Garage Door Today
Now that you have a better understanding of the different parts of a garage door and its operating system, you can more easily identify issues. But if there’s a problem with your garage door belt drive, or you need advice on what parts of a garage door need to be lubricated, we can help. At Lightning Garage Door Solutions, we provide expert maintenance and repair services for garage doors in Brisbane.
