When Should You Replace a Garage Door Roller?

A garage door, especially one purchased from Bob’s Advance Garage Doors, is as aesthetic as it is practical. It is a large feature of your building’s architecture and is one of the first parts of your home that people notice. As such, it is only right that you invest a fair amount of time and money to ensure that it is in tip-top condition. However, a garage is meant to be more than an aesthetic feature. Its usefulness relies on its security, durability, and working condition. Many people maintain the visible components of their garage door by fixing cracks or painting over scratches, but we should not forget to take care of the garage door roller. The roller is what makes the garage open and close.

What Are Garage Door Rollers?

It is probably safe to say that most homeowners have not thought too much about the components of a garage door, let alone how a garage roller works. However, it can pay to know about this component as it plays an important role in your garage door’s functioning. Garage door rollers affect how smoothly your garage door functions and how much noise it makes. Understanding how it works can help you properly maintain it and extend the life expectancy of your garage door by some years. 

Garage door rollers are the wheels and rods that slide up the metal tracks of your garage door to lift the door until it retracts. When you close the door, the wheels move in reverse to let the door down. If the rollers are not aligned with the track or if the rods are bent or crooked, then it will be difficult for the door to open or close without jerking or getting stuck. Also, garage door rollers that are not well lubricated will make bothersome noises.

Types of Garage Rollers

Garage door rollers work in the same way, but they vary in terms of the material used:

• Plastic Rollers: These rollers are best suited for single-panel garage doors and can only support a limited amount of weight. Plastic wheels are affordable but not as long-lasting as the other options.
• Steel Rollers: More reliable and durable than plastic rollers, capable of supporting more weight as well. However, they can sound louder and will need to be lubricated regularly.
• Nylon Rollers: Top tier quality. Nylon rollers are the latest type of roller combining the lightness of plastic rollers with the durability of steel rollers. They slide more smoothly and quietly than the other two options.

Time to Replace Your Garage Door Roller?

Garage door rollers can last from a couple of years to as long as 20 years, depending on the quality of the garage door roller and how well you maintain them. To make sure you get the full potential, remember to lubricate the rollers annually and clean out the metal tracks to remove dirt and debris. When you notice the garage door is making noise despite the lubricant or its getting stuck on its way up or down, then call Bob’s Advance Garage Doors for professional garage door repair services. We can have a technician come by and assess whether its time for some new rollers.