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Stating garage door rollers are a necessary part of garage door operation is an understatement. They allow for quiet, smooth, and secure use of any garage door. Choosing the right size part for your garage door can be a bit difficult due to the variety of sizes they can come in as well as the different types of materials they can come in.
If your worn out rollers are falling to pieces, your garage door may be causing some creaks and other noises when closing or opening. These sounds trouble you and wake up your whole household when you leave in your car. So loud in fact, that you may just start parking in the street or yard so that you can avoid having to open your garage door. There’s no need for a garage door expert to let you know it’s time to replace your garage door rollers with new parts. Our expert garage door repair men can do just that. Read on to learn how to choose the right garage door rollers for your garage.
How to Measure Garage Door Rollers
Arguably, the best way to decide which size roller your garage uses is to remove one and measure it. If your roller is jammed and cannot be removed, open your garage door mid way so that the rollers are viewable at eye level. You should be able to measure it accurately.
In order to decide what size rollers you need to buy for a replacement, you must measure all the way across the width of the roller head using a tape measure. Standard roller sizes are at one inch, two inches or three inches. Exceptions are sizes that are usually ¼” short: ¾”, 1 ¾”, or 2 ¾”.
Make sure to measure the shaft, which is the mid part attached to the roller. This is important for an accurate measurement. The shaft length is also standard, simply measure your shaft and use that size to shop for a new one. If your garage door is an older model, it may need custom sized rollers. Contact Door Systems to see if custom rollers are needed for your situation.
Nylon Garage Door Rollers vs Steel Garage Door Rollers
Each roller material selected makes a major difference in the noise the garage door makes when operated, the rollers’ longevity and their cost. Rollers are filled with ball bearings and it is this that makes a great difference on how loud a garage door will be when operated. The more ball bearings it has, the softer the sound of the door. It is important to remember that the higher the number of ball bearings, the more it will cost. Think of it as an investment you are making. Your rollers will likely last you decades and give you peace of mind.
Steel rollers usually last longer, however they are far noisier. High quality nylon garage door rollers can last 12-20 years if maintained well. Nylon rollers don’t need much lubrication, which makes them much more efficient, easy to maintain and less noisy. Even if it costs more than steel garage rollers, they are often seen as the better choice for residential garages.
Let us Help Your Choose the Best Garage Door Rollers
If your garage door rollers keep making more noise than a wailing baby, you may need to start thinking about a replacement. The faster you replace your rollers, the better it will be for your household. Garage doors can be dangerous to operate when the rollers aren’t functioning as they should and can do a lot of damage to your car if it falls off its track. Contact us today to speak to a door expert and get help with your garage door issues.
