Garage Door Systems: How Do They Work?
Garage door specialists know how their doors work, but most people rarely think about it. You might have approached the inner workings of your door system with idle curiosity, but how do garage doors actually work? The short answer is that a motorized system of hardware lifts your door at the press of a button.
Understanding how a garage door opener works in-depth can help you recognize problems. If you know which parts malfunction, you can tell the professional who repairs them. This guide will teach you how garage doors work, and how the parts make them function.
How a Garage Door System Works: The Mechanics
When you press the button on your transmitter, it signals the door opener mounted on your ceiling. Contrary to what the name suggests, the door opener’s motor simply guides the door’s movement, while the springs hold the door by counterbalancing its weight.
As the door moves up or down the track, rollers keep the movement smooth. The close time dictates how long your motor runs before the door reaches its closed position.
When these mechanics malfunction, the ability to identify the problem comes in handy. You can discuss the issue with a garage door specialist, making it easier for them to trace and diagnose the cause of the problem. Communicating what’s wrong with your garage door helps you get it fixed faster.
How Garage Doors Work: Parts
That simple explanation of how a garage door system works ignores the crucial parts that make your door function. These parts are some of the most important components that make up your garage door system:
- Door opener: The door opener contains the motor and receives the transmitter’s signal.
- Springs: Springs balance your door’s weight. Most modern garage doors have torsion springs because they’re safer and last longer, but older doors may have extension springs.
- Cables: Cables assist the springs as your door moves. If your door has extension springs that have broken, your cables can snap from the door’s weight.
- Tracks: Tracks keep your door on the right path. You should see vertical and horizontal tracks.
- Rollers: Rollers assist the door’s movement along the tracks for steadiness.
- Hinges: If you watch your garage door as it opens and closes, you’ll see it articulate in a few places. Hinges allow your door to fold over on itself so it fits into your garage.
- Insulated weatherstripping: Installed on the edges, frame and each section of your door, weatherstripping seals the door to insulate your garage from the heat or cold.
Request Maintenance or Repair for Your Garage Door
When your garage door needs routine inspections, maintenance or repairs, call a professional to fix it. EXL Garage Doors offers expert installation, repair and maintenance services in Middle Tennessee.
When you contact us about our services, we’ll send a member of our highly trained team to address and resolve any issues. We’ll also give you a quote before doing the work to find the best plan for you. For expert maintenance and repairs, call EXL Garage Doors today at (615) 863-5106.