Garage doors might be simple, but they’re a great example of mechanical engineering. Every system is a study in balance of forces and use of automatic leverage when the calculations are correct.
Learn about the main components of a garage door, the purpose of those components, and how the components interact throughout the door’s function, including how advancements in technology have continually improved the reliability and safety of a garage door for many years to come.
Garage Door System’s Core Components.
There are many parts of a garage door system that work together as a whole. Learn about each core component and how it works.
#1. Door Opener.
The door opener is the motorized piece of equipment that opens and closes your garage doors, activated by a wall-mounted button or remote control.
When triggered, the receiver activates and the door will open or close. The door opener comprises one key component motor and drive system.
- Motor: The motor provides power to the garage door opener. Most are electric, but property owners can opt to upgrade to a pneumatic or hydraulic system.
- Drive system: The drive system connects the motor to the door. The two common choices are chain and belt drives. Chain drive consists of a metal chain that lifts and lowers the door while the belt drive is a steel-reinforced rubber belt that is more expensive and quieter.
#2. Panels.
Panels are basically the building blocks of the garage door. They consist of many different materials (wood, steel, fiberglass, and vinyl). Some are even made with insulation materials to control the temperature of the garage and increase energy efficiency.
The garage door can be made with several panels depending on your door size and desired appearance. A two-car garage door may contain 8 panels for example.
#3. Springs.
Garage door springs enable the door to balance its weight with stored energy. There are two types of springs.
- Torsion springs: Torsion springs can store and release angular energy which is used to create torque, rotating force. Torsion springs are installed in a horizontal position above the garage door.
- Extension springs: Springs that run along the sides of the door counterbalancing the weight of the door. The springs stretch, storing energy as it opens, and then contract when the door closes.
#4. Tracks and Rollers.
The tracks and rollers (or wheels), aid the movement of the door surface and help prevent accidents. Vertical and horizontal tracks help with the vertical and horizontal movement of the door and holds the weight of the door in and helps prevent warping and bending.
The tracks hold the rollers in place, which is a small wheel that is attached to the edge of the door panels.
The wheels roll along the track allowing the door to move easily as it opens and closes by reducing friction and noise.
#5. Cables and Drums.
The cables, which are braided steel wires that work with, and help the springs do their job and help with movement. The cables thickness and weight will depend on the size of your door.
The drums are attached to the torsion bar and act like pulleys as the springs pick the door up and lower it down. The springs, drums and cables together work to counterbalance the weight of the door.
#6. Brackets and Hinges.
Brackets and hinges are some of the small parts that hold all the garage door system together and connect other items like rollers and cables to the door panels.
Brackets, which can be a piece of metal or some other connector, are also used to hold a “house” for movement and to help maintain alignment or help absorb pressure.
Hinges connect the garage door panels so they may bend while opening and closing as they are meant to do.
There can be no motion along the tracks without brackets, but they will definitely wear out before the door does. There are no brackets, and hinges are too easily forgotten but should be checked regularly.
#7. Emergency Cord.
The emergency cord is a safety mechanism that lets you manually open or close the garage door. This is especially useful if the garage door is malfunctioning or if there is a brownout.
When you pull on the cord, the trolley disconnects, allowing the garage door to be moved without the momentum of the opener. The panels will slide along the top of the track and movement of the door upwards through the vertical tracks.
Only pull out the emergency cord if you are physically capable of moving the door upwards, or get assistance.
#8. Safety Sensor.
Safety sensors ensure accidents don’t happen. They raise or stop the door if an obstruction is detected.
The transmitter sends an infrared beam toward the receiver (in this case, the door opener), but it alerts the door opener when when an object breaks the beam, activating the safety reversal system. The safety sensors are mounted near the door opening for the protection of children, pets and low-lying items.
There are three forms of sensors:
- Infrared sensors: Also called photoelectric sensors, infrared sensors are a little strain of a design, safe and reliable. They can reasonably be regarded as utterly fool-proof; as long as they are installed and aligned properly, it is impossible to impede the door’s path without triggering the safety opening system. Infrared sensors do require regular cleaning or upkeep to operate properly.
- Carbon dioxide sensors: The gas and vehicle sensors are specialized sensors that are designed for commercial garage doors. The model detects a change in temperature levels and/or the carbon dioxide levels, which is a clear indicator of a running vehicle in the garage or some type of machinery.
- Pressure sensors: Also called contact sensors, Pressure sensors are probably more common and normally work together with the infrared type. The pressure sensors are installed on the bottom or the side of the door, and identify physical obstruction on any part of the door itself.
#9. Weather Seals.
Weather seals seal air leaks and help to control temperature when installed snugly at the bottom and on the sides of doors. To achieve the best indoor air quality, evaporate the weather seals after you identify your leaks and ventilation requirements.
Weather stripping can also help prevent moisture damage to the items in your garage, but it also can help ensure that insects and other pests do not enter your premises.
#10. Smart Technology.
Smart technology means mobile app control and monitoring – meaning that you have the ability to open and close doors or activate security alerts from mobile devices.
People love these benefits in a world of connectivity, with 70% of homeowners with smart garage doors stating that they find remote features essential. Others are accommodating new technological advancements of AI to improve security in the form of devices with video cameras that provide real-time situational awareness of their garages.
Garage Door System Maintenance Tips
Proper and regular maintenance can help keep your garage door system fully functional. Here are tips to extend the life of your doors.
- Check the balance of the garage door: Ensure the garage door system is disconnected from the opener by pulling the emergency release handle. Manually lift the door to a half open position. If the panels will not stay in that location or appear to not be balanced, call a technician to check for spring tension problems.
- Check your extension springs: Extension springs are critical for counterbalancing the weight of the door. Check for spring problems, such as stretching, frayed cables and deformation. Finding potential problems would prevent accidents and expensive repairs.
- Do yearly maintenance: Even if you do not have any issues, apply lubricant to the moving parts every year. If you have an obsolete garage door system, consider smart integrations for safety.
Appreciate the Engineering of Your Garage Door
The next time you open a garage door, take a moment to think about the engineering that is in play. What seems like a simple controlled motion is actually the result of small, but critical components that work together in a more complex system to safely lift and lower the door while using very little effort to do so.
Known for his expertise in industry dynamics, Jack Shaw serves as the editor of Modded. Through his insightful analysis and practical advice, Jack seeks to empower readers with the knowledge to thrive in the ever-evolving mechanical landscape, guiding them toward success in their professional endeavors.