Garage Door Basics

Your garage door is more than just an entryway – it’s a crucial component of your home’s security, energy efficiency, and curb appeal. At Missouri Door and Dock, we believe that understanding the basics of garage doors can help homeowners make informed decisions about maintenance, repairs, and replacements. Let’s dive into the world of garage doors!

Types of Garage Doors

There are several types of garage doors to choose from, each with its own advantages:

  1. Sectional Doors: The most common type, featuring horizontal panels that roll up along tracks.
  2. Roll-Up Doors: Ideal for commercial settings, these doors coil around a drum above the opening.
  3. Slide to the Side Doors: Perfect for garages with low headroom, these doors slide horizontally.
  4. Tilt-Up Canopy Doors: A single-piece door that pivots out and up into the garage.

Key Components

Understanding the main parts of a garage door system can help you identify potential issues:

  1. Panels: The main sections of the door, often insulated for energy efficiency.
  2. Tracks: Guide the door’s movement when opening and closing.
  3. Springs: Torsion or extension springs that counterbalance the door’s weight.
  4. Rollers: Allow the door to move smoothly along the tracks.
  5. Hinges: Connect the panels and allow them to bend as the door opens.
  6. Opener: The motorized device that automates the door’s operation.

How Garage Doors Work

Most modern garage doors use a torsion spring system. When the door closes, the springs wind up, storing energy. This energy is then used to help lift the door when it’s time to open, reducing the work required by the opener or manual effort.

The opener, typically ceiling-mounted, uses a trolley connected to the door by a drawbar. When activated, the trolley moves along a rail, pulling or pushing the door open or closed.

How Missouri Door and Dock Can Help

At Missouri Door and Dock, we’re passionate about garage doors and committed to helping our customers. Whether you’re looking to install a new door, need repairs on an existing system, or simply have questions about maintenance, our team of experts is here to help.

We can provide personalized recommendations based on your home’s architecture, your budget, and your preferences. Our technicians are trained in the latest garage door technologies and can handle everything from simple spring replacements to full system installations.

Don’t let garage door issues stress you out. Contact Missouri Door and Dock today, and let us help you keep your door running smoothly and safely for years to come!