There are different types of door hinges. Each type of hinges has its unique styles and application. It is essential that you buy the right type of hinges for your garage because they influence your garage doors’ functionality. Your selection of hinges is dependent on the type of garage door and several other factors. Essential garage door components include tracks, rollers, lock bars, torsion springs, and hinges.

While the torsion spring helps counterbalance the garage door’s weight, the track helps to guide your garage door to and from the ceiling. The lock bars help keep the garage door secured, and the roller rides along the garage door track. The hinges, which are our focal point, are responsible for connecting your garage door’s horizontal sections.

What are the Different Types of Garage Door Hinges?

Garage door hinges play a significant role in determining your garage door durability and security level. There are different garage door hinges, sizes, designs, and functionality. We shall highlight the best hinges for garage doors and discuss where will be most suitable to use them. The following are types of garage door hinges:

Flush Hinges

Flush hinges occupy very little space when installed on your garage door. The small space used by flush Hinges is because one of their leaves is nested on another when you close your garage door. Due to the design of flush hinges, they may not provide support for heavier garage doors. However, the durability of flush hinges cannot be undermined.

Butt Hinges

Butt hinges are more commonly used in garage doors. They are designed with two similar leaves, with one of them attached to the hinges’ moving component while the other leaves connect to the fixed leave. A knuckle or a curled barrel connects both leaves. Butt hinges, unlike Flush hinges, can withstand the weight of heavier garage doors.

You can use butt hinges on both wooden and steel garage doors without buckling. Butt hinges come in different types, sizes, and designs. Amongst them are lift joint, rising, and ball bearing butt hinges. Rising butt hinges are used for garage doors that are installed on uneven floors. Ball-bearing butt hinges are used to guarantee the support of heavier garage doors. Lift butt hinges come in handy when there is a need to repair the garage door.

Case Hinges

Case hinges are a type of garage door that closely resembles butt hinges because they can support the weight of heavier garage doors. One primary distinction between a case and butt hinges is in their aesthetic design and appeal. Case hinges are one of the best hinges for garage doors because they have different decorative designs that enhance your garage door’s aesthetic appearance. You can find several case door hinges sizes, and of course, you can get one that suits you in terms of size and attractive design.

Strap Hinges

Strap hinges are often referred to as gate hinges because of the uniqueness of their shape. Although strap hinges may look shorter than other types of door hinges, their leaf is longer than others. Their long leaf provides optimal support for your garage door and enhances garage doors’ security level. That’s not all; strap hinges also have a high aesthetic appeal that makes them stand out from other types of garage doors. So, when you desire a small stronger, and more secure, and attractive garage door, you may want to consider buying strap hinges.

How to Select the Best Type of Garage Door Hinges

Before you buy a garage door hinge, it is essential to select the type of garage door hinge suitable for security and support. Your garage door needs to be highly secure; hence you require a hinge to offer optimal security to your doors. Most garage doors are made using materials that may be heavy such as steel or wood. The best type of garage door hinges should be one that can support the weight of your garage door. In that case, you may want to select a full-sized and heavy-duty garage door that has hinges.

These types of garage door hinges can withstand issues of wear and tear associated with the opening and closing of your garage door. The best hinges for garage doors are made using heavy steel material because of their ability to support garage doors’ weight. Furthermore, heavy steel garage door hinges are also very durable, which helps to save the cost of replacing your garage door hinges. However, thin hinges for garage doors are more affordable, but they may offer less in terms of support, security, and durability.

How to Know When You Should Fix or Replace Garage Door Hinges?

Garage door hinges are very critical to the operation of your garage doors. When your garage door hinges wear out or break due to prolonged use, they may affect the opening and closing of your garage doors, and In some cases, it may be impossible for you to open your garage door. If you fail to replace a broken garage door hinges, it may lead to serious damage to your garage door. You subject your garage door hinges to a high level of stress whenever you close or open your garage door.

You should carry preventive maintenance on your garage doors by checking if your garage door hinges have signs of wear or deterioration and ensure they are replaced or fixed to avoid more extensive damage to your garage door. It is essential to check if there are any wobbly or missing screws. Also, check if your garage door hinges have signs of corrosion or cracking.

 How to Install Different Types of Garage Door Hinges

The significance of garage door hinges cannot be overestimated. However, since these hinges can break or wear out over time, they may have to be replaced or fixed. But it may be impossible to do so if you do not have the technical know-how or the right tool. However, you may require garage door experts’ service or try the DIY approach if you feel you are capable of installing new garage door hinges.

Here are the steps to replace different types of garage door:

Raise stabilize your garage Door

When carrying out any garage door repairs, it is advisable to work in an “up position” to limit tension in the spring and prevent injury. However, if you are working while in a lowered position, endeavor to raise your garage door and disconnect the torsion spring. C-clamps installed below the rollers can help to stabilize the garage door.

Do not allow the panels to sag

While removing the hinges, the panels may sag. You may use a board or ladder to hold the panels in place while unbolting the hinge. You should also clamp the ladder and the support board they would not slip while working.

Unbolt the garage door hinge

Once you are set, you can then unbolt the hinges by loosening the nuts. You can use a hammer to tap the hinge bolt to release the nuts but endeavor not to damage the bolt thread in the process.

Install the new hinge

Remember that there are different door hinge sizes. Ensure that you select the best hinges for garage doors for durability and optimal security. Most people replace the roller when replacing their garage door hinges, except the rollers are brand new. Line up the garage door hinge over the bolts. Slide the roller to the hole and ensure you tip it back on the track. Tighten the nuts and place the roller’s axle over the hole used for the former hinge.

How long do garage door hinges last?

There are several types of garage door hinges, and this plays a role in determining their durability. Your garage door hinge should last between 10-15 years. However, this also depends on your garage door hinges material type. The best hinges for garage doors are usually made of thick metal since they can support heavier garage doors. Thinner metal hinges, though cheaper, may not offer you the durability you seek.

Can I change my garage door hinges by myself?

You can change a worn-out garage door hinges or repair a faulty one if you have the technical know-how to do so. However, care must be taken when replacing your garage door hinges to avoid causing physical harm to yourself or further damaging your garage door. Therefore, it is essential to contact a garage door repair expert to help e you replace worn-out or broken garage door hinges.

Conclusion

Your Garage door hinge is a vital component of your garage door. When selecting garage door hinges, endeavor to select durable, strong, and very secure ones. You can also select garage door hinges based on the aesthetic design and thickness of the hinge material. We have listed different types of garage door hinges. Whether it’s the ball bearing, case, flush, or lift type of garage door hinges you choose to buy, endeavor to get one that is of top quality.