There are two main options for selecting garage door designs: Swing doors and overhead doors. Swing garage doors are the traditional varieties that are side hinged to the walls and open in a swing motion. On the other hand, overhead doors are modern builds made from panels hinged together that roll along tracks with the help of rollers.
This article from Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door will evaluate which of these two garage door designs is easier to maintain by comparing them based on common garage door problems for more information in Danbury CT click here.
Typical garage door problems/ Swing vs. Overhead garage doors
Friction problems
As mentioned above, overhead garage doors rely on a rolling system that is prone to friction. If the track is not well lubricated, a grinding metal sound may be produced when the door opens and closes. This not only disturbs your peace but also compromises the working of the entire system over time.
In the case of swing garage doors, the prominent structure swings on hinges, and this is just a small section that needs to be lubricated from time to time. Again, if the hinges are strong enough and installed strategically, they will work smoothly to carry the door’s weight without the build-up of so much motion resistance.
Sensor issues
Sensors are placed on either door’s side a few inches from the ground and act as a safety component that prevents an overhead door from crashing on people, pets, and property such as a car. Sensor problems such as misalignment, lack of power supply, and faulty wiring may alter an overhead garage door’s normal working process and hence must be acted upon swiftly.
Swing garage doors require only little energy to swing in and out from their closing position. The gentle opening and closing movement eliminate the need to install safety sensors and thus the maintenance practices that come with them.
Torsion and extension springs malfunctions
Torsion and extension springs are located above the roller racks of the overhead garage door and transfer energy from the door opener and related components to the garage door structure. On continued use, the springs can accumulate dirt that may, in turn, bring in friction problems. Frequent cleaning and lubrication are thus needed to keep these components functioning correctly.
Although modern swing doors have a spring system, the traditional ones just relied on the hinges’ motion, thus eliminating spring-related maintenance practices. Even if you go for a swing door design that requires a spring’s system, the swinging motion is less stressful on the spring and will require less maintenance.
Nuts and bolts problems
An overhead garage door system employs nuts and bolts on the brackets and metal tracks. You need to frequently inspect these and tighten them if they are loose and out of their usual position.
You need to ensure that holding screws and bolts are tight and holding the individual units in place for the swing garage doors.
Wiring faults
If you wish to operate your doors automatically, you cannot do without some form of wiring. Whether it is the power supply cables or interconnections between two dependent components, wiring is paramount in an automatic garage. In the process of opening and closing an overhead door, the wires may become worn or broken and, to the worst, appear hanging on the pathway of the door. Only with a frequent inspection will you notice these issues and troubleshoot them immediately before they cause irreversible damage.
The minimal automation in a swing garage door translates to less obstructive wiring and reduced maintenance practices for the cables.
Opener defects
The opener is like the heart of an automatic overhead garage door system. It generates the energy needed to close or open the door and controls every other component, including the door corners’ safety sensors. Common garage door opener defects include short circuits in the powering parts and burn out of the opener’s motor itself. Reversing these issues usually requires professional’s intervention.
Modern automatic swing garage doors mainly employ low-energy operators that generally require low maintenance. Traditional manual swing garage doors don’t require openers at all.
What is the importance of garage door maintenance?
Here are some reasons why maintaining your garage door regardless of the design is vital:
- Reduces unnecessary repairs and replacements
- Makes the door and the entire garage space convenient to use
- Reduces or eliminates safety hazards
- Makes the garage door more durable
- Improves the curb appeal and market value of your home
Final thoughts
Because of the reduced complexity in the opening and closing mechanism of swing garage doors, it would only be fair to say that they are relatively easier to maintain. Swing garage doors also bring a traditional feel to a home and are easily customizable to match the home’s design. However, if you are looking for convenience and space-saving, overhead garage doors are a perfect choice. It would help if you inspected the tracks, rollers, and the automatic opening and closing system frequently. If you want to balance convenience and the rustic look swing garage doors bring, you can have your overhead doors brilliantly designed to look like the hinged swing doors.