Garage Door Rollers

 

Garage door rollers are the key to garage doors that roll up and down. The rollers are small wheels that guide the door panels on the track system. Without the proper garage door rollers, the door will not operate smoothly or efficiently. Garage doors that work improperly can also be dangerous. And if you’ve ever wrestled with a heavy garage door, you know that they can be extremely aggravating whenever anything is off kilter.

 

Garage door rollers are small and might seem insignificant, but don’t misjudge the importance of the rollers. Oftentimes, the difference between a smoothly working rolling garage door that’s quiet and easy to handle verses a door that’s noisy and difficult to manage lies in the humble garage door rollers. Check yours to see if they need replacing.

 

What are garage door rollers?

 

Garage door rollers look like tiny tires. Each roller consists of a wheel on a stem, which is called the “shaft.” Most of the wheels have a diameter of 1 13/16 inches and are made of nylon or steel, with nylon offering the quietest operation. The shafts are usually 7/16 of an inch in diameter, but a “thin shaft” garage door roller is also available. This type has a shaft that’s only 5/16-inch in diameter. The shafts come in different lengths, usually ranging from five inches to nine inches.

 

The garage door roller shafts also differ in construction materials. Some have seven ball bearings, some have eight, some have ten, and some have as many as thirteen. Some garage door rollers have no ball bearings. Most shafts are made of stainless steel or zinc-coated metal.

 

Garage door rollers are also rated for pound load, generally ranging from 35 pounds to 100 pounds.

 

 

Maintaining your garage door

 

Your garage door should be checked periodically to make sure it’s working properly. The door panels should raise and lower easily, and you should be able to stop the door at any point.

 

Moving parts, including the garage door rollers, should be lubricated several times a year, depending on use. A lubricating oil or a spray lubricant can be used for this purpose. The tracks, however, should not be lubricated.

 

If your door is properly oiled yet continues to be difficult to raise and lower, it’s most likely out of balance. You’ll need a trained technician to check the balance on your garage door.

 

Where to buy garage door rollers

 

The best place to buy garage door rollers is online. Because there’s more competition, prices are generally lower. You’ll also have more choices online. Save even more money by purchasing garage door rollers in bulk.

 

How much do garage door rollers cost?

 

Prices for garage door rollers vary widely. The price for individual rollers depends on the size and the construction material of the roller and shaft, along with the strength rating of the part. Prices range from $1 each to more than $20 each.

 

The more expensive garage door rollers operate more smoothly and more quietly and provide longer service.