Understanding Automatic Garage Door Components: A Complete Guide

Garage doors are an integral part of most homes and the garage door is the biggest point of access that most home have. Automatic garage doors are a convenient evolution that have been widely adopted across the country for decades and come standard on most new homes. This entry is going to go over the components of automatic garage door systems in order to arm you with the knowledge needed to truly understand you automatic garage door system. Knowledge is power and this knowledge can give you the power to keep more money in your bank account as you will be able to approach maintenance from a place of understanding instead of wondering.

The tracks are located on both sides of the door and guide the door as it opens and closes. There are vertical and horizontal tracks present that your door travels along when activated. The tracks are attached to the wall and ceiling. The tracks have springs attached to them. Extension springs are located on the outside of the vertical track and torsion springs are above the garage door. The size of the actual springs will be dictated by the size of the garage door. The torsion spring is pulled tight when the door is closed. That stored tension helps the motor open the door.

Sensors are located near the ground on each side of the garage door opening. They send a laser beam between the two sensors. When the sensors can “see each other” clearly, the door operates normally. If the sensors cannot see each other, the door will not close — it detects an obstruction in the path. This protects the door from closing on an object and keeps people and pets safe.