As a garage door manufacturer, you know that keeping your customers happy is critical. A bad experience can have a ripple effect, particularly in today’s connected world. Poor reviews can last forever on the internet. Even though there are many parts of a garage door system, it only takes one subpar part to cause a complaint. Therefore, it is vital to ensure your garage door hardware manufacturer has a robust quality control system.

Quality Parts of a Garage Door System Start with the Steel

Garage door hardware is critical to the structure and integrity of a garage door. High-quality parts start with quality material. At Arrow Tru-Line, we use premium hot-dipped galvanized steel for our critical parts. This means that after a rigorous cleaning, the steel is dipped in a bath of molten zinc to coat it. The alternative method to galvanize steel is to get the zinc electrons to adhere to the steel using electricity in a process called electro-galvanizing or cold galvanizing. This method produces a less robust product. The coating on hot-dipped galvanized is up to 10 times thicker, creating a stronger, long-lasting coating.

Some manufacturers use cheaper secondary steel. While the initial cost might be less expensive, the long-term costs, including to your reputation, are much higher. We use hot-dipped galvanized steel because it offers superior functionality, reliability, weather resistance, and durability due to its uniform zinc coating and stringent quality control. Secondary steel has increased susceptibility to corrosion, particularly in coastal regions, areas with high humidity, or areas that use salt on roads in the winter. In addition, critical parts of a garage door system made with secondary materials will wear faster and require replacement much sooner.

Processes of a Quality System

High-quality garage door hardware doesn’t make itself. It requires a manufacturer with a robust quality process in place.  One component of that process is regular preventative maintenance of manufacturing equipment. This requires proper record keeping so it’s clear when a piece of equipment was last inspected and when maintenance is due. For the rare times that issues arise outside of this time frame, operators should be properly trained to recognize signs of wear and understand the importance of reporting these issues.

A lack of maintenance can negatively impact the part’s quality. Dull or damaged blades or punches result in rough edges or burrs, which can affect the fit and finish of the final product. Misaligned equipment can cause inaccurate cuts or hole placement, leading to issues in subsequent fabrication steps. When bending the metal, worn tools can cause defects, such as cracks or weakened areas, compromising the structural integrity of the final product. These are just a few of the issues that can result from equipment not being properly maintained.

Intensive quality inspection points at the start of the production and in-process are critical to the management of an outstanding process control system. Continual monitoring of product ensures the process is running as intended, and the feedback loop provides real-time adjustment to stay within capability.

Reliable Functionality and Safety

Your customers depend on their garage doors to secure their belongings, protect the contents from the weather, and add to the aesthetic appeal of their home or business. Plus, it must be safe and work consistently. What good is a garage door that doesn’t function properly? While there are many parts of a garage door system, high-quality garage door hardware plays a significant role in ensuring the door continues to function properly throughout its lifetime. For example, subpar hardware can lead to the jamming of the garage door when it is operating, low-quality rollers may sound like a rattle when shaken, and the operation of the door may be unnecessarily loud if high-quality hardware is not used. With subpar parts, wear and tear can lead to intermittent issues and, eventually, failure as the door cycles over time.

The safety of your customers and employees is likely a priority. Customers injured by the hardware can lead to anything from lost trust to legal repercussions. And an employee injury can lead to lost time and higher costs. Springs, for example, are under a lot of tension, and if one breaks, it could be very dangerous. Additionally, poor-quality components can have sharp edges that can lead to lacerations. When given the choice, choosing the highest quality hardware to protect yourself, your employees, and your customers makes sense.

Quality Advantages of Buying All Parts of the Garage Door System From One Supplier

Buying hardware from multiple suppliers can also impact quality. When you purchase garage door hardware from a single supplier, you receive advantages that enhance both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your garage door.

When sourcing from multiple suppliers, there is a risk of receiving hardware made from different grades of metal, which can lead to varying levels of durability and strength. This can result in parts wearing out at different rates, leading to frequent replacements and additional costs. Different suppliers might use steel with slightly different finishes, creating a mismatched or “checkerboard” effect on the door.

Buying from a single supplier ensures a uniform look and finish, giving the garage door a cohesive and professional appearance. Additionally, when all components are sourced from one supplier, you can be confident that they are designed to work seamlessly together. This ensures proper fit and function, reducing the likelihood of installation issues and maintenance problems down the line.

Arrow Tru-line: Quality You Can Count On

When you partner with Arrow, you can be assured of receiving garage door products that are designed to function reliably, safely, and quietly. Not only does this enhance the integrity and performance of the garage door, but it also protects your reputation.

Whether you need a custom-engineered solution or choose from our catalog of garage door hardware, springs, weather-stripping, and windows, we are committed to providing high-quality solutions that deliver long-lasting, reliable performance. Contact us to get started.