Ordering a garage door part without knowing the door's brand is a bit like looking for a key without knowing which lock it should open. Many sectional doors are several years old, the installer may have disappeared, and the manual has long since left the drawer. Yet, the brand and age of the door guide almost all part choices.
Good news: there are simple methods to identify a door, even without documents. This article details where to look, what information to note, and how to use it to find compatible parts in our catalog.
Why the brand and year matter
Sectional door manufacturers each have their own specifications: panel profiles, hinge shapes, spring types, cable diameters, and drum configurations. A single brand has also evolved its ranges over the years, which explains why cables are sometimes referenced as "before 2015" or "from 2016 onwards." Knowing the brand and year therefore saves time and avoids errors.
Our catalog is organized accordingly. You will find collections by brand: Gypass, FAME, SDA, La Toulousaine and the collection of BKF compatible parts. These group together the references compatible with each, which facilitates searching.
Where to find the identification plate
The identification plate is the best source of information. It generally indicates the brand, model, year of manufacture, and sometimes a serial number. It is most often found on the frame (the fixed frame), on the inner edge of the first panel, or on a side panel. Also look for a sticker or metal label near the motor or lock.
On an old door, the plate may be faded or peeled off. Clean the area with a cloth, illuminate it with glancing light, and photograph it: a partially legible number already helps a lot. If you can find the installation invoice or user manual, the brand is almost always listed there.
Without a plate: visual clues
When the plate has disappeared, identification relies on a set of clues. Observe the hardware: shape of hinges, roller supports, and bottom bracket. Look at the lifting system: torsion or extension springs, type of drums, cable diameters. Also, note the seal profile and any inscriptions engraved on certain parts.
Then compare your photos with the pages in our collections. Our article which spring for my Gypass, FAME, or SDA door and our guide on choosing hinges show how to read these clues. If the comparison remains uncertain, send us your photos: we will guide you.
The photos that help us most
To validate a reference remotely, a few photos are enough. Take an overview of the closed door, viewed from the inside, then close-ups: the lifting system above the door, the springs, the drums, a side hinge, a roller and its support, and the bottom bracket. Add the plate if it exists, as well as a tape measure or caliper on the part to provide scale.
Specify the dimensions of the door (width and height of the curtain), the approximate year of installation, and the problem encountered. These elements allow you to choose, for example, between the pair of cables before 2015 and the pair of cables from 2016 onwards, or to validate a spring: see our guide to order a custom-made spring.
Brand not found: what to do?
Sometimes the brand remains untraceable: very old door, manufacturer gone, artisanal assembly. In this case, two solutions are available to you. The first is to look for a compatible part based on its measurements, by comparing the part to be replaced with our product pages. The second is custom manufacturing, especially for springs, as well as for cables with our pair of custom-made cables.
Also, note that industrial doors follow different rules: see our article industrial or residential. For an overview of the hardware, return to the hardware guide.
Conclusion
Identifying the brand of your sectional door relies on the identification plate first, visual clues second, and a few well-chosen photos. This information is almost always enough to find the right reference in our collections.
If the brand remains untraceable, don't waste time guessing: send us your photos and measurements. We distribute original parts from manufacturers and we manufacture custom springs, which covers most cases.
FAQ: identifying your door
Where is the identification plate of a sectional door located?
On the frame, on the inner edge of a panel, or near the motor. Clean the area and illuminate it with glancing light if it is faded.
What to do if the plate has disappeared?
Observe the hardware and the lifting system, take photos, and compare them to our product pages. As a last resort, we can offer a custom-made part.
Is the year of the door important?
Yes, some parts differ depending on the era, such as lifting cables, referenced as before 2015 or from 2016 onwards.
Can I order without knowing the brand?
Yes, provided you provide the measurements and photos of the part. We validate compatibility before shipping.