Types of Garage Door Rollers to Consider
When is the last time you sat down and really considered what type of garage door roller you’re currently using? If your first thought was something like “What is a garage door roller” or “What difference does it make”, then you may want to continue reading! Garage door rollers are composed of a steel stem with a wheel on one end which can be made of various materials, all of which provide their own unique benefits and disadvantages. Examples of commonly available materials for roller wheels are:
- Plastic
- Nylon
- Steel with bearings
- Steel without bearings
When contemplating what material to use, one must consider aspects such as the material of the door, how quiet you want the door to remain, what type of weather will the roller endure, and how many open/close cycles do you want the roller to last through? Selecting a wheel with ball bearings will ensure the wheel will last significantly longer, especially when the wheel itself is comprised of steel. However, a steel wheel will not be quite as quiet as a nylon wheel, which is reminiscent of a skateboard wheel in consistency. Plastic wheels are a cost-effective alternative to steel or nylon, although they will undoubtedly atrophy more quickly. Replacement costs will accrue as quickly as the wheels break!
The final consideration when determining what type of garage door roller to purchase is the diameter of the wheel and the length of the stem which varies from door to door and must be measured either by oneself or by a professional. To measure the diameter yourself, simply use a ruler and measure from edge to edge of the roller. Roller sizes are typically one, two, or three-inch standard sizes. The stem can be measured with the same methodology. If you just can’t seem to figure out what material or size would be ideal for your next garage door roller, there’s no shame in consulting the pros!
For more information about garage door rollers, check out DDM Garage Doors.