When it comes to ensuring the seamless operation of your garage door, understanding the different types of garage door tracks is essential. These tracks are crucial in guiding the door as it opens and closes, ensuring smooth and efficient functionality. In this blog post, we’ll review the various types of garage door tracks, their features, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

What Are Garage Door Tracks?

Tracks are one of the most important hardware components of a garage door system. The metal channels guide the garage door rollers as the door moves up and down, partially supporting the door’s weight. They are an integral part of the garage door mechanism, ensuring the door operates smoothly and remains aligned. The type of track used can significantly influence the performance and durability of the garage door.

Considerations When Choosing Garage Door Tracks

Before evaluating the different types of garage door tracks, it is important to understand that structural constraints play a large role in determining which track is best. When selecting the right track system for your garage door, there are a few important factors to consider:

• Ceiling Height: The height of the ceilings in the garage where the door is installed and will operate. Some garage doors operate straight up while others go into the garage.
• Headroom: Headroom refers to the space between the tracks and the closest obstacle, which may include lighting, pipes, or support beams.
• Side room: The space to the left or the right of the door from the door to the nearest obstruction.
• Backroom: The depth of the garage where the door operates
• Door Size and Weight: The height and weight of the door.

The Different Types of Garage Door Tracks

There are several different types of garage door tracks, each designed to accommodate various door styles and operational requirements. Standard widths are 2 and 3 inches to accommodate different door sizes and weights. The 2-inch tracks are typically used for standard residential garage doors, as they are lighter and require less space. On the other hand, 3-inch tracks are designed for larger, heavier commercial or industrial doors that require a sturdier track to handle the increased load. The track size is determined by the door’s size, weight, and application.

A basic garage door track system consists of vertical tracks located on either side of the door opening, horizontal tracks located overhead, and a curved track that connects them to create a continuous smooth path for opening and closing the garage door. Splice plates connect the vertical portion of the track to the curved portion. Flag brackets are used to connect the horizontal track and vertical track where the two meet. Jamb brackets are numbered from one to fourteen, signifying the distance from the jamb to the center of the two holes in the bracket. The different numbered jamb brackets set the slight angle of the track, which is necessary for the proper alignment and smooth operation of the garage door. This allows the garage door to press tightly against the weather seal when closed, providing a secure and weatherproof fit. By using the correct jamb bracket for each position, the vertical track can be precisely aligned, ensuring that the door operates smoothly and efficiently.

Below, we will go into more detail on the different types of garage door tracks offered By Arrow Tru-Line:

2-inch Track – The 2-inch track is a standard option for residential garage doors. It comes in standard lengths and gauges and is available in 10-inch, 12-inch, 15-inch, 20-inch, and 32-inch radius options. The radius is the curved part of the track. The larger the radius, the more headroom is required, but larger radius tracks operate smoother because the curve isn’t as sharp. Typically, residential garage door tracks have a 12-inch radius. The 2-inch track is versatile and can be used in most residential applications, providing reliable performance and ease of installation.

Tru-Trak – Tru-Trak, a patented design system, provides numerous benefits related to cost efficiency and performance. These tracks are not only safe to handle but also compatible with existing tracks and easy to install. An issue seen with heavy loads is track rollout, a condition where the garage door track opens or separates under heavy loads, which can allow the rollers to escape from the track. This issue can compromise the smooth operation of the door and pose safety risks. A major advantage of Tru-Trak is its ability to significantly reduce rollout on the horizontal track, resulting in smoother operation and enhanced safety.

3-inch Track – The 3-inch track is designed for industrial applications with heavy doors. It comes in two distinct varieties with multiple length options to accommodate different door heights. This track is ideal for commercial settings where durability and strength are paramount.

• • 3-inch VPT w/ Regular HPT – This track is designed for industrial applications with heavy doors. The “VPT” stands for Vertical Pierced Track, and “HPT” stands for Horizontal Pierced Track. Pierced tracks have a series of holes punched into them, which allow the rollers to securely attach to the track instead of using clips or brackets. The Regular HPT indicates that this track uses a standard horizontal track configuration, which is suitable for most industrial settings.
  • 3-inch VPT w/ 17-inch Splice HPT – Similar to the previous track, this one also features a VPT and a HPT. However, the “17-inch Splice” indicates that the horizontal track includes a 17-inch splice. This splice can provide additional support and stability for the track, making it ideal for larger or heavier doors that require extra reinforcement.
  • 3-inch HPT Regular – This track is a standard 3-inch HPT without any additional splices or modifications. It is designed for industrial applications and is suitable for heavy doors that do not require the extra support provided by a spliced track.
  • 3-inch HPT 17-inch Splice – This track is similar to the 3-inch HPT Regular but includes a 17-inch splice in the horizontal track. The splice provides additional support and stability, making it ideal for larger or heavier doors that need extra reinforcement to ensure smooth and reliable operation.

Low Headroom Tracks – Low headroom tracks are specifically designed for situations where there is limited space above the garage door opening. These tracks allow the door to operate smoothly even in tight spaces, making them an excellent choice for garages with low ceilings.  It uses two parallel tracks to operate – typically with an upper track for the top section of the door and a lower track for the rest of the door. They are available in various lengths in a standard 6-inch dub (top track), 3 ½-inch dub, and cut-back dub.

Take the Next Step with Arrow Tru-Line

Whether you need reliable tracks for residential or industrial applications, Arrow Tru-Line offers a comprehensive range of options to meet your needs. Contact our expert team today for personalized advice and support.