KEY COMPONENT OF YOUR GARAGE DOOR & MORE!
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As a homeowner, you probably rely on your garage door more than you realize, but if you’re like many people, you may not know a whole lot about its mechanics. Understanding the basics about its operations can help you identify any issues or problems more quickly, which in turn can save you time, money and considerable stress. So, without further ado, here’s a quick and easy overview about the inner-workings of your garage door.
Key Components
Unless you’re dealing with a particularly old or rare model, odds are, your garage door has two primary components that make it operational: the door itself, and the opener. Your door rises and falls because of the combined lifting power of cables and one of its most critical features, its:
Springs
Garage door springs typically fall into one of two categories: torsion springs, and extension springs. Regardless of the type of springs your door has, you can expect its lifespan to fluctuate based on how frequently the door rises and falls. In other words, a door used by a large family will require replacement before a garage door used by someone who lives alone and only comes and goes once or twice a day.
- Torsion Springs: Garage doors are heavy by design, both because of the materials used in their construction (wood, steel, fiberglass or what have you), and because many modern models also feature insulation. The heavy lifting is then left to the springs, and if your door features torsion springs, you will notice a set of cables along the bottom of the door that extend up toward a cable drum that lies on either end of the spring shafts. When you open the door, you release built-up tension within the springs, which in turn rotates the shafts and lifts the door off the ground. When you close the door, the reverse effect happens, lowering the door back to its original position.
- Extension Springs: Extension springs function with the help of pulleys and counterbalanced cables, and you can find them either above the garage door tracks, or on either side of the door itself. When you open the door, the springs contract, releasing tension and raising the door. When you close the door, the springs extend, creating tension and lowering the door.
The Garage Door Opener
Most homeowners will agree that garage doors are convenient largely because you can enter and exit your home without having to leave your car or expose yourself to the elements, but to do so, you need a reliable garage door opener.
The opener has an electric motor that connects to the door itself through a chain or belt carriage, and when you turn the motor on, it raises or lowers the door. When you have problems with your door opener, you may still be able to lift the door by hand, but you’ll want to remedy the problem with the opener if you want to truly take advantage of all the conveniences your garage door offers.
- Belt Drive: Most experts consider belt drive systems to be superior, and there are many quality products in this line. A belt drive garage door opener uses a rubber belt instead of a metal chain to open the garage door. Because of this, the system is much quieter than a chain drive system. These systems do tend to cost a bit more than the alternative, however. Finally, belt drive systems tend to last longer than any other garage door opener on the market, which could make up for the extra cost upfront.
- Chain Drive: These are the most common type of garage door openers in the U.S. They have been around for many years and have a wide availability. Chain drive door openers use a metal chain, like a bicycle chain, to open the garage door. While these are the more affordable option, they do come with a few downsides. This type of garage door opener is also the loudest. The system involves moving gears and metal parts that result in clicking and a bit of noise as the garage is opened and lowered.
If you’re in the market for a new garage door, Next Day Garage Door is here to help. We have a wide variety of different style garage doors to choose from and would be happy to help answer any questions you have about them. Next Day Garage Door prides itself on providing exemplary customer services.
We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your garage door installation and repair needs and will do whatever it takes to earn your business and remain lifelong clients. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability, yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call us at (571)-327-6285 or (301)-500-0475 today.
