Garage Door Hardware Parts: Screens, Springs and Door

Garage is a necessity that we generally take for granted and do not go into its intricacies. However, only when a part of it is broken, do we look as to what hardware parts actually make the garage. This article talks about some of the more common garage hardware parts.

Garage Door

The two different types of garage doors available are:

• Tilt Up Doors: are single paneled which pivot out and up. The doors of these types are cheaper when compared to sectional roll up doors.
• Sectional Roll Up Doors: consist of four or more horizontal sections which are hinged together and are mounted to tracks with the help of rollers at each side so that doors can roll up and back. Although these doors are expensive when compared to tilt up types, they are more popular as they are safer to operate and allow more headroom in the garage. They are also safer for residential areas as they cannot be pried from the sides.

Some of the styles that the garage doors are available in are recessed panel, raised panel, ranch and flush designs. You can even place custom orders for grooved or smooth panels with glass or decorative inserts. Ideally, the style of your garage door should match the style of your house so that it completely blends in. You can even get a garage door opener, a motorized device with the help of which you can open and close your garage door via a switch. Garage door opener remotes are also available which you can keep in your car so that you can open and close the garage without stepping out. Although this may be a little expensive, the advantages that it offers justify the cost.

Metal doors are more resistant to damage than wooden doors. To care for your metal garage doors, inspect regularly for dents and scratches. Also, check for any rust that can permanently ruin the door. Wooden doors must be varnished every year. Ensure that it is not exposed to water for prolonged periods. You could also get your doors inspected by a professional who can identify some damage that an untrained eye could miss.

Garage Door Screens

Garage door screens are a very cost effective way of keeping your garage doors clean and free from pests and flies. With the help of these screens, you can easily turn your garage into an open entertaining area especially during the rainy season from where you can enjoy the rain and keep away the insects. The screens are usually available with a hook and loop fastening strips that can be attached to the jambs and the header of the garage doors. The screens are directly pressed into these strips. This is a temporary arrangement although you can make it permanent by mounting the strips using screws and anchors. The advantage in a permanent arrangement is that you can roll up the screen when not required and simply roll it down when necessary. Some screens have magnetic pieces attached to the pass through door of the screen, which will ensure that the door is always closed when not in use.

If you really want to go all the way then you could even get an automatic sliding screen door closer installed in your garage. It comes with a ‘block and tackle’ mechanism installed and closes the garage screen door every time somebody forgets to close it. You can even adjust the tension, which can change the speed with which the door is closed if you have young toddlers at home who can injure themselves.

Garage Door Springs

The two types of garage door springs are:

• Torsion Springs: are wound up on the rod above the garage door. Two springs of this kind are used, one on each side of the center of the door. The two springs depend on each other for functioning and if one of the spring breaks, then the other spring breaks soon after. Working on these strings is very dangerous and you should always call a professional to replace these springs.
• Extension Springs: run along the left, right and upper door tracks. As these springs extend and stretch to provide the necessary functionality, they are so named. Working on these springs is not as dangerous when compared to torsion springs. However, remember not to mess with these strings when the garage door is down, as these springs will be supporting a 500-pound garage door.

I hope that this article has provided sufficient information about garage doors, screens and the screws used. Although they are not expensive, choose wisely as they will eventually become a part of your house.