The rollers are one of the most crucial parts of any garage door system. They help your garage door’s seamless operation by connecting the door to the tracks. Needless to say, they must be both sturdy and dependable. Nylon and steel are the two most popular types of rollers. When choosing rollers for your garage door and why one type of material is better than another, let us look at the factors to consider when selecting rollers.
Durability
The ball bearings in garage door rollers play a significant role in their durability. Ball bearings are little metal balls that reduce friction between the stationary rod and the roller's rotating wheel. Rollers without ball bearings wear out sooner than those with 10 or 13 ball bearings. Ball bearings are pretty standard on the majority of steel and nylon rollers. Plastic rollers never come with ball bearings and should never be your choice.
Ball bearings typically come in sets of seven to thirteen. Rollers with the longest lifespans are usually those with the most number of ball bearings. For one, a nylon roller with 13 ball bearings is typically rated for 20,000 cycles. A nylon roller with 10 ball bearings, on the other hand, is rated for 10,000 to 15,000 cycles only.
Steel and nylon are equally sturdy and have similar lifespans. Steel rollers, on the other hand, can rust. While they have a rust-resistant coating, they can be scraped or worn away over time. Nylon is rust-resistant and weatherproof, making it an excellent choice if you live in an area with a high humidity level or rainy climate. High-quality nylon rollers can last up to three times longer than steel rollers.
Maintenance
In terms of maintenance, both steel and nylon garage door rollers do not demand a lot of upkeep. Just lubricate them two times a year with silicone-based lubricant (never use oil lubricant on any type of rollers) to keep them in good shape and avoid squeaking and grinding problems.
Steel rollers are lubricated directly onto the ball-bearings on the rollers’ innermost part. Nylon rollers with exposed bearings are lubricated on the exterior at the point where the shaft meets the rollers. Nylon rollers with sealed ball bearings are the best since they do not need any lubricant at all, and they do not need to be greased throughout the life of your garage.
Noise levels
Steel rollers are excellent in terms of durability, but they make a lot of noise and vibrations when they run up and down your metal garage door tracks. Nylon rollers have the distinct benefit of being virtually silent. White nylon garage door rollers are softer, smoother, and quieter than plastic or metal rollers. Having 13 ball bearings eliminates rotational friction between the roller and the shaft, resulting in a quieter and smoother garage door opening and shutting. There will be no clattering or rattling while they are in use, and your garage door will be significantly less intrusive to those who live nearby.
Cost
Steel rollers are often less expensive than nylon rollers, so they are a good choice if you are on a budget. They will do the job just fine if you do not care about the extra noise. Nylon garage door rollers are more durable and quieter than steel rollers, but they cost twice as much.
Trust the expert crew at Garage Doors 4 U Longmont to replace worn-out rollers or upgrade to quiet ones. We provide dependable garage door repair, garage door maintenance, and garage door installation services, as well as high-quality garage door parts such as garage door openers. Please call us at (720) 600-4848 to request free estimates.