Garage Door Basics

Basic Terms


Window Lite
Glazed section with various types of glass or clear acrylic to allow for light and visibility.

Sections
Steel panels reinforced with stiles interconnected with hinges and rollers.

Bottom Bracket
A structured support which provides for attachment of lifting cables.

Cable Drum
Grooved drums on the torsion spring shaft that lifting cables wind around when door is opening.

Torsion Springs
Provides the means to raise and lower the door via cable winding on drums.

Extension
extend along both horizontal tracks

Rear Track Hanger

Track
Provides a guide for section to raise or lower door.
Track Types:
Standard
Low Headroom
Track Components:
Vertical Track: on either side of opening.
Horizontal Track: attached to ceiling.
Radius: curved track
Standard Heights:
7 feet high - 4 sections high
8 feet high - 5 sections high

Gauge = thickness of steel
Lower is better. 24 gauge is thicker than 25 gauge.

Panels And Sections

Short Panel
Single Car (8–10' wide) Double Car (12–18' wide)
Long Panel
Single Car (8–10' wide) Double Car (12–18' wide)

Garage Measurements

Headroom Chart
4-1/2'–10" – low headroom track
10" – standard track/extension spring
12" – standard track/torsion spring
14" or more – required for operator


Check Out Our Glossary
of Garage Door Terms