A garage door is built from eight main parts: panels, springs, track, rollers, cables, the opener, safety sensors and weatherstripping. Each has its own job, and most can be replaced individually without replacing the whole door.
The parts and what they do
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Panels | The sections that form the door's face; can be wood, steel, aluminum or glass |
| Springs | Torsion (above the door) or extension (beside the track), counterbalance the door's weight |
| Track | Guides the rollers as the door travels up and over |
| Rollers | Small wheels, steel, nylon or plastic, that ride in the track |
| Cables | Steel wires that carry the spring's lifting force to the bottom corners of the door |
| Opener | The motor that drives the door; chain, belt, screw or direct drive |
| Safety sensors | Infrared eyes near the floor that reverse the door if something is in the way |
| Weatherstripping | Seals the gaps around the door against water, dust and drafts |
Which parts are safe to replace yourself
A compatible weather seal may be a homeowner task if the door manual permits it and no lifting hardware needs disturbing. Leave rollers, hinges, panels and track repairs to a technician. Never loosen springs, cables, drums or bottom brackets: these support the door and can release dangerous spring tension.
More detail on specific parts
Not sure which part failed? Call (916) 838-8182 or see garage door repair. For a broken spring, see spring replacement.
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