Let’s be real—garage doors might not be the most thrilling topic. But when yours starts giving you trouble, suddenly all that repair lingo becomes pretty important. At A1 Garage Door Repairs, we believe communication should be straightforward. So let’s cut through the jargon together with a quick guide to some common garage door terms!Setting the Scene:
Jambs: The vertical supports on either side of the garage door opening, basically the “frame” of the doorway.
Header: The horizontal beam above the garage door opening—the “ceiling” of the door.
Sub Frame (for Up and Over Doors): A goalpost-shaped frame for hinged doors that holds the locking points, weather seals, and door mechanism.
On the Tracks:
Track: The metal channel that guides the rollers on sectional or roller doors, keeping the door’s movement smooth and controlled.
Rollers: Small wheels attached to the door panels that roll along the track. Worn-out rollers often cause grinding sounds and jerky door movement.
Springing into Action:
Torsion Spring: A heavy-duty spring, usually mounted above the door, that counterbalances the door’s weight to make it easy to open and close.
Torsion Spring Shaft: The metal rod connected to the torsion spring, which transfers its lifting force to the cable drums and cables.
Cable Drums: Grooved drums on the torsion shaft where the lifting cables wind as the door moves up and down.
Lifting Cables: Strong steel cables that attach the door’s bottom brackets to the cable drums, handling the door’s lifting and lowering.
Safety First!
Photoelectric Sensors: These sensors stop the door from closing on people or objects by reversing direction if something is detected in its path. They’re a key safety feature!
Cycle: One full opening and closing of the door. Torsion springs are rated by how many cycles they’re expected to last (e.g., 25,000 cycles).
Bonus Term:
Headroom: The clear space above the garage door opening that’s needed for proper door operation and installation.
Need Help? A1 Garage Door Repairs Has You Covered!Still feel like garage door lingo is confusing? Don’t worry! Our expert technicians at A1 Garage Door Repairs are here to translate any garage door issue into clear solutions. Contact us today for a quick, no-nonsense diagnosis and repair – we’re fluent in garage door!
