Garages are attached to buildings and homes and serve as storage units for vehicles. Garage doors are the passageways for vehicles. These structures are considerably larger than most other passageways because they must be big enough to allow the passage of vehicles. They can be opened by hand or electronic remote control.

Overhead gateways are made from panels. Each of the panels is hinged to one another and rolls on tracks. Extension or torsion springs are used to balance the load of the structure. Wood, aluminum, vinyl and steel are materials commonly used for the construction. C. G. Johnson invented the upward-lifting door in 1921. Five years later, in 1926, he made the first electronic garage opener.

Single-panel gateways slide up and overhead to open. They are also known as monolithic doors because they have a single panel. The main disadvantage of these structures is how they open. When they are opened they swing outward, away from the structure. This can be inconvenient when it comes to parking. If a vehicle is not parked a few feet back from the structure, it could be hit when the door is opened. Furthermore, any object that is within the range of the structure could keep it from opening up fully.

Sectional gateways can have six or eight panels. These panels slide up and over to open. The structure occupies the same amount of space as monolithic structures, yet have more advantages. They do not swing outwards and therefore, do not require space outside of the garage in order to open. The structures are more reliant because every panel is separately attached to the track.

When these structures are made from corrugated steel, they are roller doors. In some cases roller doors are constructed using materials other than steel. This is usually the case when impact-resistant material is not concerned. These devices are often used on storefronts and warehouses. The steel is strong enough to endure powerful forces.

The structures made today typically use steel sheets. These sheets often resemble the raised panels on wooden doors. Insulated, double-skin, uninsulated material is available. Steel carriage doors come in many designs and have gained popularity because they do no weight a lot or rot overtime.

There are two key lifting mechanisms used on these devices. Extension springs use springs that run along the tracks. Tension springs use up to two springs that are on a shaft with cable drums at each end. Springs can last for many years if they are taken care of.

These gateways must be maintained. Once a month, at the least, they should be checked to make sure they are balanced and lubricated. If the structures are struggling to open and close it could be the sign of a bigger issue. Safety is just as important as maintenance. In fact, the two are related. Most serious injuries can be diverted, if the device and all of its parts are maintained and regularly checked for condition. Thousands of injuries related to incidents with these devices are reported on a yearly basis in America.

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Category: Home Management
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