Garage Door Glossary

While you use your garage door multiple times a day, you probably don’t stop to think about how it works or what each part is called. And, why would you? Most of the time, it’s not particularly relevant to your everyday life. 

However, when something goes wrong, these seemingly insignificant technical terms become important, and by knowing the name and function of each component, you can prevent expensive mistakes when ordering spare parts or arranging repairs. To help you get to grips with some of these terms, the team at JB Garage Doors has compiled this garage door glossary.

ABS: ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a lightweight polymer that is commonly used in the production of garage doors due to its strength and durability.

Bottom brackets: A bottom bracket is attached to the bottom corners of the garage door to secure the cables and provide an anchor point that helps to distribute the weight of the door.

Cable: This strong cable connects the bottom brackets to the springs. It’s a vital component that bears the weight of your garage door and works with the springs to lift and lower the door in a controlled way.

Cable drum: Cable drums are positioned on the torsion spring; essentially, they are grooved spools that the cable can be wound around to prevent any tangling.

Emergency release cords: Every automatic garage door is equipped with an emergency release cord; this is a pull cord, normally red, that disengages the automatic opener so that your garage door can be opened manually in a power cut.

Extension springs: These springs are mounted along the side of the track and stretch and counterbalance the weight of the door. These springs stretch and contract when the garage door opens and closes.

Galvanising: If a door is galvanised, this means that it has been coated in a protective layer of zinc to prevent rust and corrosion.

GRP: GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) is a material that is commonly used to make garage doors. As the name suggests, it is a plastic mixed with glass fibres, and this combination creates a lightweight yet strong and weather-resistant product.

Hinges: Found on sectional garage doors, hinges connect each panel and allow them to pivot and move as the door opens.

Jamb: The jamb of a garage door is essentially the vertical part of the frame that helps to keep the door in place.

Opener: This is the unit that houses the motor and mechanism responsible for raising and lowering an automated garage door, and it can be controlled by a remote, a wall switch or, in some cases, a smartphone.

Remote: A remote controls an automatic garage door, allowing it to be raised or lowered at the touch of a button.

Roller garage door: A garage door that is made up of narrow slats that roll upwards, into a coil, inside a compact box that is mounted above the garage opening.

Rollers: Rollers are small wheels that are attached to your garage door and help to move it smoothly along the tracks.

Sectional garage door: A sectional garage door is made up of multiple panels that are linked by hinges. It lifts upwards, section by section, onto a ceiling track.

Sensors: A garage door sensor is a safety device that is fitted to the bottom of an automated garage door opening. It detects if there’s an obstruction in the path of the door and prevents it from closing if so.

Side-hinged garage door: A side-hinged garage door is essentially a traditional double door that opens outwards, making it ideal for frequent pedestrian access.

Torsion springs: These tightly twisted springs are mounted above the garage opening and use their stored energy to lift the door.

Tracks: Depending on the style, garage door tracks can be vertical or horizontal. They essentially help to guide the garage door and provide a path for the rollers to move on.

Up and over garage door: Made up of a single panel, an up and over garage door swings outwards and then lifts upwards onto a ceiling track.

Weatherstripping: This is a flexible seal that is installed around the edges of a garage door to help seal gaps, reduce draughts and improve insulation.

If your garage door isn’t working as it should, get in touch with the team here at JB Garage Doors today. Backed by more than 50 years of experience, we can carry out even the most complex garage door repairs. We also supply an extensive range of spare parts to suit every make and model of garage door – contact us to find out more.