Winter in York can make for some beautiful scenery — but it can also be brutal on your garage door. In below-freezing temperatures, these critical parts of your garage can struggle to open and close as they should. When they find themselves trapped inside (or outside), many homeowners are surprised to learn how susceptible garage doors can be in ice-cold weather.
We at York Garage Door Guy are here to tell you what happens when cold weather strikes the tracks and springs of your garage door, how you’re able to notice, and how not to let it happen in the future.
1. How Cold Weather Affects Garage Door Tracks
a. Metal Contracts in Low Temperatures
Garage door tracks are metal, and metal shrinks when it gets cold. Whenever the tract diminishes just a bit, it can result in:
- Misalignment
- Increased friction
- Jerky or stalled movement
If you find that your door is straining midway up, be sure to check the tracks and make sure they are not contracted.
b. Ice and Frost Buildup
Humidity in the garage or on and around the tracks can freeze, resulting in:
- Ice inside the track grooves
- Obstruction causing the rollers from flowing
- Loud grinding noises
Just a thin layer of frost can be enough to keep your door from operating correctly.
c. Hardened Lubrication
Conventional lubricants will thicken in cold weather. Thick or hardened grease can:
- Slow roller movement
- Get the rollers to slip and not turn
- Lead to uneven lifting
This can be avoided by switching to a silicone-based lube.
2. How Freezing Temperatures Affect Garage Door Springs
a. Springs Become Brittle
Your garage door springs are always wound, supporting the weight of a 150-300-pound door. When it becomes cold, metal springs may lose their flexibility and are liable to snap.
A spring that falls apart in winter typically does it in one wholesale thud — and with a bang.
b. Reduced Spring Tension
Metal becomes hard in the cold; its elasticity declines. This means:
- Springs are under too much mechanical tension to lift the door
- The opener is exerting itself (and risking burnout)
- Door opening slowly or not at all
Should your opener jank or your door gain weight, cold-weather spring tension issues may be the culprits.
c. Moisture and Rust
During the winter, you have moisture, humidity fluctuations, and road salt tracked into the garage. These can:
- Speed up rust formation
- Weaken spring coils
- Reducing the life of torsion or extension springs
Rusty springs are much more likely to snap at temperatures below freezing.
3. Signs Your Garage Door Is Struggling in Cold Weather
Watch for these warning signs:
- The door is unbalanced or getting stuck
- You hear loud popping or grinding sounds
- The door opener sounds like it’s struggling or humming
- The door seems heavier to lift by hand
- You can see frost on the tracks.
- The door won’t close completely
When you spot any of these, it’s better to address the issue before a component failure!
4. When to Call York Garage Door Guy
If your garage door:
- Won’t open or close,
- Makes unusual noises,
- Has a broken spring, or
- Appears to be having “issues” during cold temperatures,
Your best bet is to enlist a professional. Springs and tracks are under significant pressure, and attempting repairs without the right tools and experience can be dangerous.
We’re York’s reliable garage door repairman, here to help with diagnosis, repairs, and winterizing your door!
Stay Ahead of the Freeze—Let York Garage Door Guy Help
Your garage door doesn’t have to suffer in the winter. With regular care and prompt attention, your door will work efficiently—even on the coldest York mornings.
Looking for service or a winter tune-up?
Call York Garage Door Guy now and make sure your door is working no matter the temperature.
