Garage Door Guide

Why knowing the right part names helps

Knowing whether a problem involves a curtain, panel, track, roller, cable or opener can make it easier to explain what you can see when requesting professional help.

This guide is for identification only. Garage doors are heavy moving systems. Do not adjust or remove springs, cables, brackets, drums or other counterbalance hardware.

Automatic Gates & Garage Doors

Roller Doors

Parts commonly found on a roller door

Roller-door designs vary, but the following names are commonly used:

  • Curtain: the flexible door surface, usually formed from interlocking steel slats or a continuous steel sheet.
  • Brackets: the supports that secure the drum or axle assembly to the structure.
  • Drum or roll: the assembly around which the curtain coils as the door opens.
  • Counterbalance springs: components that help balance the door’s weight. Their location and arrangement differ between models.
  • Guides: the vertical side channels that keep the curtain aligned as it travels.

Some doors also use felt, brush or similar edge strips. These are not identical on every product.

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Sectional and Panel Doors

Parts commonly found on a sectional garage door

A sectional or panel door is made from several hinged sections that travel along tracks:

  • Panels: the horizontal sections that form the door.
  • Hinges: the fittings that connect adjacent panels and allow them to articulate.
  • Rollers: the wheels that move through the tracks.
  • Tracks: the guides that direct the door vertically and then overhead.
  • Springs and cables: parts of the counterbalance system that help control the door’s weight.

Spring and cable arrangements vary. Do not use this general description as a repair or adjustment guide.

Automatic Gates & Garage Doors

Tilt Doors

Parts commonly found on a tilt door

A tilt door usually opens as one large rigid panel. Common terms include:

  • Frame: the structural framework of the door.
  • Cladding: the visible material fixed to the frame.
  • Counterbalance springs: components that assist with the door’s weight.
  • Arms: the pivoting hardware that guides the door as it opens and closes.
  • Tracks and rollers: used on some tilt-door designs, but not all.

Tilt-door hardware can differ substantially between models. If a spring, arm, bracket, track or roller appears damaged, keep clear of the door and arrange an assessment.

Automatic Gates & Garage Doors

Garage Door Parts

Frequently Asked Questions

Use these answers to identify what you can see and decide when professional help is appropriate. They are not repair instructions.

No. Roller, sectional and tilt doors use different structures, and the spring, cable, track and opener arrangements can vary between manufacturers and models.

No. Springs, cables, brackets and related counterbalance hardware can be under significant tension. Do not loosen, remove or adjust them. Arrange a professional assessment.

A heavy or uncontrolled door can indicate a counterbalance, spring, cable, track or other mechanical problem. Stop operating it, keep people clear and have the system assessed.

From a safe position, note the door type, manufacturer or model label, opener model, visible symptoms and when the problem occurs. Photos can help if they can be taken without touching or standing beneath the door.

Use the manual for the exact opener model. AGG Doors maintains a garage-door opener manuals library, but model-specific manufacturer instructions should always take priority over general advice.

Not sure which garage-door part is causing the problem? Ask AGG Doors.

Describe what you can see without dismantling the door. Our team can help arrange an assessment for garage-door repairs and servicing.

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Automatic Gates & Garage Doors