Your automatic garage door is one of the largest pieces of moving machinery in your home. It contains many various parts that can be confusing if you don’t have much experience working with them. If something goes wrong or if you have questions about any of the parts, here is list of terms that may be a great help when you have to call OC Garage Doors and Gates with questions.
Astragal
The astragal is a common sight with a strange name. The astragal is the weather stripping that runs along the bottom of a garage door. It helps protect the garage from the elements and keeps out drafts. You likely have an astragal seal around the bottom of your home’s exterior doors.
Backroom
Backroom is the term used for measuring the total space needed for you garage door. The measurement is taken from the garage door opening to the furthest point of the horizontal track. Many times adding 18 inches to the measurement of the garage door height will give you the backroom.
Bottom bracket
Also known as corner brackets, the bottom brackets are where the lifting cables are attached mostly on sectional doors.
Cable
The cable, also referred to as the lifting cable, connects to the bottom bracket and is what lifts the garage door when engaged.
Cable drums
The cable drums are an integral part of the spring system. When you engage the garage door opener, the lifting cable wraps itself around the inside of the cable drum, forcing the cable in line, keeping it from tangling.
Cable safety device
The cable safety device – a crucial safety feature of your garage door – stops the door from slamming shut if the cable breaks.
Center hinge
This is a flat hinge that is placed on the door section. The hinge allows the door to work its way smoothly along the curve between the vertical and horizontal tracks.
Extension springs
The extension springs actually carry the weight of the door as it opens. They stretch on the sides of the door and run from a pulley attached to the door that goes to the rear track hanger.
Horizontal track
The horizontal track runs parallel to the garage ceiling. It holds the door in place as it opens and closes.
Insulation
Most garage doors are insulated just like the inside of your house, but with different materials. Garage doors are insulated either with polystyrene foam or polyurethane filler.
Photo-electric sensor
These sensors are required for safety reasons. The photo-electric sensors are installed a few inches above the ground in garage doorway. If there is an obstruction between the door and the ground, the door should reverse its direction. Also, the door should not work if the sensors aren’t working.
Sectional doors
Your garage door is likely a sectional door which is made up of sections that are hinged together. This give the door the flexibility needed to bend around the track as the door is in motion.
These terms are to help you understand some of the different and important parts to your automatic garage door. When you need to call OC Garage Doors and Gates for automatic garage door repair, you’ll now know more about what to ask us. Call us today at 949-205-7699 for more information.