Guide to Your Garage: The Components in a Garage Door
You might use it every day, but you probably haven’t put too much thought into all of the parts that have to work together for your garage door to open and close correctly!
Whether you’re thinking about having a new garage door installed or just want to be more knowledgeable the next time your garage door needs repairs, understanding the basic components in your garage door system will help!
Springs and Tube
The motor in your garage door opener controls the movement of all of the mechanisms, but it doesn’t do all of the heaving lifting by itself. The springs produce enough tension to keep the weight of the door balanced while the other components lift and lower it. That’s why you can manually lift a garage door, which weighs several hundred pounds, all by yourself!
If your garage door seems to be getting heavier, it may be an indication that the springs need to be replaced.
The tube shaft holds the springs in place. The tube does not move. Instead, it supports the springs as they function.
Drums and Cables
Drums are pulley wheels that attach to the ends of a tube shaft. The releasing energy of the springs causes the drums to rotate and the connected cables to move.
Tracks and Rollers
Door tracks and rollers prevent the door from crashing into the ceiling or going sideways during operation. Small wheels—the rollers—fit into metal tracks to keep the door moving straight up and down.
Brackets and Hinges
Brackets are made of metal. They keep the rollers and cables securely fastened to the garage door. Hinges are located in the middle of the garage doors. They allow the door panels to fold or flex for a smooth transition from open to close.
Safety Equipment
The photo eye sensors and the emergency cord are two important safety features that help protect everyone in the family from a dangerous malfunction.
Eye sensors are mounted directly across from each other, one on either side of the door. One sensor sends a beam of light to the other. An unbroken beam indicates that there is no one standing in the doorway, and it is safe to automatically open or close. But if the beam is broken, the sensor prevents the door from closing.
The emergency cord hangs from the door operator and is usually marked with a red cord. The cord is used to lock the door in place if it needs to be opened partway for maintenance.
Do You Need Garage Door Repair?
The technicians at D Bar Garage Doors have the expertise to repair and replace any component of your garage door. If you suspect something isn’t working right, contact us for a service appointment right away!
