In addition to finding rollers that match your garage door in size, you will have to decide whether to get rollers made out of nylon or steel. Both materials are used for residential and commercial garage doors, but they vary in factors such as longevity and noise level. Generally, the more ball bearings a roller has, the less noise it will make when you open and close the garage door. While that might seem like a minor detail, it is an essential consideration if the garage door is located under the main floor or next to a room where the excess noise may be a problem. Although having more ball bearings on a roller makes the garage door quieter, it also increases its price. However, keep in mind that most rollers last 15-20 years. To have a garage door that does not annoy you and your family, you may decide it is worth the investment to get rollers of a higher quality to start with.
Nylon garage door rollers will last anywhere from 12-20 years. Nylon rollers have about 13 ball bearings, which allows them to run smoothly and quietly for awhile. Nylon rollers do not have to be lubricated, which reduces the likelihood of them making excess noise. Steel garage door rollers may last even longer than nylon garage door rollers, but they also make more noise. Steel rollers are ideal for residential garage doors where noise will not be an issue, and they can also be used successfully with commercial garage doors.