Garage doors in Reno are seemingly simple fixtures, but you rely on them every day. They let you get in and out with ease and, perhaps more importantly, keep your home and belongings safe.
Every homeowner should have a basic understanding of how a garage door works and what its main components do. This knowledge makes it easier to handle maintenance, spot potential issues, and make smarter choices about repairs or upgrades. In this post, our expert garage door contractors will walk you through all the essential parts of a garage door and how they work together to keep things running smoothly.
Table Of Content
Garage Door PanelsTracks
Rollers
Hinges
Springs
Cables
Opener and Remote-Control System
Weather Seals and Insulation
Safety Sensors
Need Help with Your Garage Door?
Garage Door Panels
Garage door panels are the large, flat sections that make up the body of the door. They’re the first thing people notice and play a big role in how the garage door system looks and functions. Residential panels are usually made from one of four main materials:
- Steel: Durable and low-maintenance. Great for areas with harsh weather, like Reno.
- Aluminum: Lightweight, rust-resistant, and more prone to denting than steel.
- Wood Panels: Classic and beautiful but require regular upkeep to prevent rot and warping. A popular choice for mid-century garage doors.
- Fiberglass Panels: Lightweight and resistant to dents but can crack in extreme cold.
Panels are connected with leaf garage door hinges and supported by struts, typically two that run across the door’s width for added stability.
Tracks
You can find garage door tracks running vertically on either side of the door, curving into the ceiling above, and then running along the top of your garage. The tracks guide the door during its movement.
The curve in the tracks, along with the garage door springs, keeps the door stable and prevents it from falling once it’s opened.
Remember, the tracks must be aligned properly. If they’re bent or loose, the door can get stuck, make loud noises, or worse, come off completely. Schedule inspections or repairs anytime you notice any unusual movements or sounds.
Learn About Key Garage Door Parts!
Rollers
To move along the tracks, your garage door glides along rollers consisting of a metal rod and a wheel made of nylon or steel. The rollers sit inside the tracks.
- Nylon Rollers: Quiet and smooth. These work best if your garage is attached to your home. However, they tend to wear out faster.
- Steel Rollers: Built to last and strong enough for heavier doors. On the downside, they’re noisier and may require more frequent lubrication.
It’s best to check your rollers for signs of wear, like wobbling or visible cracks, twice a year. Replacing old or worn rollers can help your garage door operate better over time.
Hinges
Hinges connect the individual panels of the door and allow it to bend and move as it opens and closes. Heavier doors need thicker, more durable hinges, while lighter doors can use smaller ones. Some hinges even have built-in rollers for added support. Quick note: hinges can loosen, rust, or crack due to prolonged wear and tear. Inspect them regularly and tighten any loose screws. If you spot cracks or excessive rust, consider getting replacements.
Springs
Garage doors have spring systems that control their motion. This garage door part is designed to counterbalance the door’s weight and allow for steady movement. If your door manually opens, springs help you open and close it easily.
- Torsion springs are mounted above the door and twisted to provide tension. They’re durable and suitable for heavy models.
- Extension springs are stretched along either side of lighter doors.
Because springs are under a lot of tension, they’re dangerous to mess with if you’re not trained. Watch for signs of wear, like gaps in the coils or visible rust, and call a professional if you notice an issue.
Unlock the Secrets of Garage Door Parts!
Cables
Torsion cables work with the springs to keep your garage door balanced and moving evenly. These cables attach to the bottom corners of the door and prevent it from wobbling or falling off the tracks. Without them, the springs could easily pull the door off balance.
Opener and Remote-Control System
The garage door opener is the motorized unit that powers your door’s movements. It’s typically mounted on the ceiling and includes a motor, a drive system (chain, belt, or screw), and a control unit. Modern, stylish garage doors typically come with automatic openers. You can use a remote control to open the door from your car or use a keypad to enter a secure code for keyless access. It’s a small convenience that adds a lot of ease to your daily routine.
Weather Seals and Insulation
Weather seals are the rubber or vinyl strips along the edges of the garage door. They help block out dirt, rain, snow, and pests to keep the inside of your garage clean and dry.
Some homeowners combine upgraded weatherstripping with garage door insulation to boost efficiency even further. If your garage doubles as a workspace, insulation is a must. It helps keep the temperature inside steady, which, in turn, saves you money on heating and cooling—especially in Reno’s tough climate.
Safety Sensors
Garage doors weigh several thousand pounds. And while they look innocent enough, they pose a potent threat- more so if you have children or pets at home. Each year, thousands of garage door-related injuries are reported, ranging from minor to serious.
To help prevent accidents, most garage doors have safety sensors near the bottom of the tracks. These sensors detect if something- like a bicycle or a pet- is in the door’s path and stop it from closing. Some modern garage doors also come with additional safety features, like auto-reverse, which automatically lifts the door if it hits an object while closing. Be sure to know where the manual release handle is, so you can open the door by hand if there’s a power outage.
Explore Garage Door Parts and Functions!
Need Help with Your Garage Door?
The average garage door opens and closes hundreds of times a year, and it’s all thanks to a well-coordinated mix of parts working together. Now that you know the basics of what makes your garage door tick, you’re in a better position to keep it running smoothly.
At Thompson, we know garage doors inside and out. Whether you’re looking to install a new door, fix a problem with your current one, or need to handle an emergency repair late at night, we’re here to help. Given our expertise and commitment to quality service, you can count on us to keep your garage door in excellent shape. Give us a call today.