As homeowners, it’s easy to get lost in the jargon of garage door terms. That’s why we’ve created a garage door glossary, defining all the key terms you may come across when installing or repairing a garage door.
A security feature designed to automatically lock a garage door once fully closed. This lock enhances the door’s resistance to forced entry and provides homeowners with increased security and peace of mind.
Devices engineered to automate the process of opening and closing garage doors. They often incorporate features such as soft start and stop technology, which helps reduce wear on the door's mechanism, prolonging its lifespan.
A feature that ensures the garage door remains operational during power outages. Battery backup enhances accessibility and convenience by allowing the door to function without mains electricity.
A safety feature designed to prevent severe damage to the door in environments where collisions are likely. This specialised section is engineered to detach from the rest of the door upon impact.
Flexible seals that prevent small animals and debris from entering the garage. They are commonly installed around the edges of garage doors to enhance insulation and block unwanted intrusions.
Seals installed along the edges of garage doors to block out debris, water, and drafts. They improve insulation and create a tight seal when the door is closed, enhancing energy efficiency.
Composite materials used in garage doors typically include a mixture of resins and reinforcing fibres. These materials are selected for their durability, decay resistance, and low maintenance while offering an appearance similar to natural wood.
A mechanical system that utilises torsion or extension springs to offset the garage door’s weight. This balance allows for smoother, easier manual or automated opening and closing of the door.
The component of an automatic garage door opener that moves the door along its tracks. Common types include chain, belt, and screw drives, each offering different benefits in terms of durability and noise level.
A high-quality finish option for garage doors that provides a durable, corrosion-resistant layer. This powder coating is available in various colours, enhancing the door’s aesthetic and longevity.
An essential safety feature that allows a garage door to be manually opened from the inside during emergencies, such as power failures or malfunctions, ensuring a way out or into the garage.
A cable that runs through the centre of extension springs, designed to contain parts and prevent them from causing injury or damage if the spring breaks.
Garage doors constructed from fibreglass composites. These are celebrated for their durability, lightweight nature, and resistance to corrosive salt air, making them ideal for coastal regions.
A unique garage door design combining elements of sectional and roller doors. This door is particularly suitable for garages with low headroom, lifting vertically before curving into a horizontal position near the ceiling.
Large glass panels within an aluminium frame of the garage door, offering maximum visibility and a modern, stylish appearance. These doors are popular in contemporary architectural designs.
Steel that has been coated with a protective layer of zinc to prevent rust. This material is widely used in garage door panels and hardware for its durability and resistance to weathering.
The vertical space above the garage door opening. Adequate headroom is crucial for proper installation and optimal door function.
Springs designed for garage doors that endure more frequent use than typical doors. They are made from durable materials to provide a longer lifespan and reliable performance.
Metal tracks that guide the garage door during its operation. Horizontal tracks are attached to the garage ceiling, while vertical tracks run along the sides of the door opening, ensuring smooth movement.
Garage doors that are engineered to withstand impacts from common accidents, such as vehicle bumps or flying objects. They use reinforced materials or construction techniques to enhance durability and safety.
Insulated garage doors that are constructed from multiple hinged panels. This insulation improves thermal efficiency and reduces noise, making these doors ideal for garages used as workshops or living spaces.
A technology integrated into some garage door openers that detects obstacles during the door’s operation, enhancing safety by preventing damage to the door and ensuring the security of users and property.
A term commonly used for sectional garage doors, which are composed of large panels that lift overhead, allowing vehicles to pass. These doors are popular for their smooth operation and space-saving design.
A design feature in sectional garage doors that prevents fingers from being caught between panels as they close, significantly reducing the risk of injury.
A form of foam insulation used within garage door panels for its superior thermal properties. This insulation helps maintain consistent temperatures inside the garage and reduces external noise, enhancing the overall environment.
A finishing technique in which dry paint powder is applied to the metal surfaces of garage doors and cured under high heat, resulting in a strong, wear-resistant coating that is superior to traditional paints.
A structural component that is used to strengthen garage door panels, particularly in areas susceptible to high winds. These bars are essential for preventing the door from bending or warping under stress.
An advanced security feature for garage door openers that generates a new access code every time the remote is used, effectively preventing unauthorised access by keeping the code unpredictable.
A garage door style consisting of a curtain made from interconnected slats that roll into a coil. This door type is versatile and suitable for both residential and commercial applications.
Space-efficient garage doors that roll up around a drum located above the door opening. These doors are ideal for garages with limited space and need side tracks for stability.
A critical safety feature that projects an infra-red beam across the garage door pathway. If the beam is interrupted, the door automatically stops and reverses to prevent accidents.
Garage doors comprised of several hinged panels that lift upwards and slide into the garage’s overhead space. They are favoured for their efficient use of space and modern appearance.
Garage doors that are constructed from multiple steel panels. They are recognised for their strength, longevity, and availability in various styles and colours, making them a popular choice for homeowners.
Garage doors that open outwardly to the sides, similar to traditional barn doors. This door type is preferred for its classic aesthetic and straightforward access, making it suitable for certain architectural styles.
A modern upgrade for garage doors that enables remote operation through a smartphone application. This kit offers users convenience, allowing them to open, close, and monitor their garage door from anywhere.
Specially designed hardware that includes screws and brackets engineered to resist unauthorised tampering or removal, thus enhancing the security and integrity of the garage door.
A construction feature in some garage doors that prevents thermal bridging, effectively blocking heat transfer through the door. This feature is key to maintaining energy efficiency in climate-controlled garages.
A single rigid panel that tilts outwards and up to open, pivoting at the top of the door frame. This style is well-suited for garages with ample driveway space.
A proprietary coding system that enhances garage door security by utilising three distinct frequencies to avoid signal interference, ensuring reliable remote control operation even in electronically congested areas.
A security feature in some garage door openers that uses three different frequencies to counteract electronic interference, thus ensuring the remote control operates smoothly and securely.
A feature in some garage door styles, like Flex-A-Door, that allows the door to open vertically and retract under the ceiling, ideal for tight spaces or where front clearance is limited.
Seals around the garage door that help prevent drafts, dust, and moisture from entering, contributing to enhanced energy efficiency and comfort within the garage space.
Optional decorative windows that can be integrated into garage doors to enhance aesthetics and allow natural light to enter the garage, improving visibility and the interior environment.
Garage doors engineered to withstand significant wind forces. These are typically required in regions prone to severe weather. They are built to meet local building codes and provide safety during extreme conditions.
A secure access system that allows entry to the garage without the need for a traditional key or remote. Users can enter a personalised code on a keypad to operate the door.
Whether you’re after a steel sectional garage door or looking to upgrade your garage door opener, we have the solution for you! Get in touch with the team at Dominator to learn more about our products.
For more information about our residential garage doors, a free measure and quote, or for help with any issues, all you need to do is call us.
Call your local Dominator Garage Door Dealer on 0800 366 462 and speak directly to our team. We’re happy to provide any services, guidance, and practical support you need.
Call for your FREE Quote Today!For more information about our residential garage doors, a free measure and quote, or for help with any issues, all you need to do is call us.
Call your local Dominator Garage Door Dealer on 0800 366 462 and speak directly to our team. We’re happy to provide any services, guidance, and practical support you need.
Call for your FREE Quote Today!