Which garage door gear do I use?

If you have had a custom door made, or you need to replace damaged parts on an old door where the existing mechanism is now obsolete, a new garage door gear is the best solution. We have a range of garage door gears suitable for different situations. Below we will outline the types available, the reasons for choosing that particular type, and important information you need to know before ordering.

CANOPY GARAGE DOOR GEAR

A canopy garage door is when 1/3 of the door hangs out of the garage when the door is open. Canopy Garage Door Gears have the spring mechanism above the door, which is ideal if you have a narrow door as side springs would protrude inwards and reduce the amount of usable width at the door. This product is suitable for doors weighing up to 40kg and 9' wide, so please check these values on the current door before ordering.

RETRACTABLE GARAGE DOOR GEAR

Retractable Garage Door Gears are ideal for those with double-width garage doors, or are wanting to use an electric opener on the door. When selecting this gear type, there are quite a few options available in the dropdown menu. You will need to know the weight of the door and select the correct spring strength option:

AP150 Gear pack to lift 45 - 70kg (150lbs)
AP200 Gear pack to lift 71 - 90kg (200lbs)
AP250 Gear pack to lift 91 - 113kg (250lbs)

You will also need to know the correct height of the door to ensure you select the correct door arm (short, standard, high):

Short Arm Door height: 6ft to 6ft8ins
Standard Arm Door height: 6ft 8ins to 7ft 5ins
High Arm Door height: 7ft 5ins to 9ft

RETRACTABLE HEAVY DUTY GARAGE DOOR GEAR

For people with very heavy doors (usually custom timber doors) the Retractable Heavy Duty Garage Door Gear should be used. You will need to know the weight of the door and select the correct spring strength option:

AP350 Gear pack to lift 114 - 159kg (350lbs)
AP500 Gear pack to lift 160 - 227kg (500lbs)

You will also need to know the correct height of the door to ensure you select the correct door arm (short, standard, high):

Short Arm Door height: 6ft to 6ft8ins
Standard Arm Door height: 6ft 8ins to 7ft 5ins
High Arm Door height: 7ft 5ins to 9ft

RETRACTABLE LIGHTWEIGHT GARAGE DOOR GEAR

The Retractable Lightweight Garage Door Gear is ideal for people with a lightweight garage door weighing less than 45 kg, no wider than 9', and are wanting to electrically automate the door. You will need to know the correct height of the door to ensure you select the correct door arm (short, standard, high):

Short Arm Door height: 6ft to 6ft8ins
Standard Arm Door height: 6ft 8ins to 7ft 5ins
High Arm Door height: 7ft 5ins to 9ft

MULTI-SPRING DOUBLE GARAGE DOOR GEAR

Multi-Spring Double Garage Door Gears differ from the Retractable Garage Door Gear by using multiple springs on each side, rather than just 1 spring. The benefit of this is safety. If 1 spring breaks, there will be other springs on that side helping to hold the door, rather than it coming crashing down.

You will need to know the weight of the door and select the correct spring strength option:

AP160 - to lift up to 160lbs
AP230 - to lift up to 230lbs

You will also need to know the correct height of the door to ensure you select the correct door arm (short, standard, high):

Standard arm - for doors which are 6'8" - 7'5" high.
Short arm - for doors which are 6'0" - 6'7" high.

CRANKED ARM GARAGE DOOR GEAR
The Cranked Arm Garage Door Gear is ideal for people who want to automate their door with an electric motor, but also have a narrow door entry as the cranked arm mechanism increases space at the side for wing mirrors. This is only suitable for doors weighing up to 130 lbs. You will need to know the correct height of the door to ensure you select the correct door arm (short, standard, high):

Standard arm - for doors which are 6'8" - 7'5" high.
Short arm - for doors which are 6'0" - 6'7" high.

When it comes to weighing the garage door, you can use two bathroom scales and balance the door across them. Add the readings together for an approximate idea of the weight. Please have a friend help you do this to help avoid having the door falling over.

Please note that all garage door gears are ordered in, and usually arrive within a few days, and are then dispatched.

All garage door gears are DIY kits and should only be installed by competent DIYers. If unsure, please contact a handyman or local door company.

If unsure which product to use, please email [email protected] and provide photos and information about your door.

Which garage door gear do I use?Updated a year ago