Henderson Garage Door Part Identification Guide
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Which Henderson Garage Door Part Do I Need?
Henderson garage doors were Britain's most widely fitted up-and-over door for decades and are still in service on hundreds of thousands of UK homes. Parts are available for all models but identifying the correct one requires knowing your door type. This guide walks through how to identify your Henderson model and find the right replacement part
Henderson door models: a quick reference
Henderson stopped manufacturing garage doors around 2007 but replacement parts remain widely available. The main model families are:
| Model | Era | Key identification | Door type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Premier | Pre-1992 | Looped cable ends (no metal stud stop). Single torsion spring across the top. | Canopy only |
| Premier | 1992 to ~2007 | Metal stud stop ends on cables. Many later models have anti-drop spindle assemblies. Single torsion spring. | Canopy and retractable |
| Merlin | 1960s to 1990s | Earlier Henderson branded door. Similar in principle to Pre-Premier. Round cable bobbins rather than cones. | Canopy |
| Doric | 1970s to 1990s | Lighter-weight version of the Merlin range. Canopy door with overhead spring. | Canopy |
| Dolphin | 1980s to 2000s | Lightweight aluminium single and double-width doors. Side springs colour-coded by strength: yellow (small single), grey (standard single and small double), green (large double). | Canopy |
| Ultra / Ultra 225 | 1990s to 2000s | Retractable gear with unique spring adjuster screwed into the top of the spring. Spring bolt rather than hook adjuster on some models. | Retractable |
Step 1: Identify your door model
Check the cable ends
Pre-Premier cables have a simple loop at the bottom end. Premier and later cables have a metal stud (stop) crimped into the cable end that locates in a slot on the bracket. This single difference identifies the two most common Henderson canopy door types.
Check for anti-drop spindles
Later Premier canopy doors were fitted with anti-drop roller spindle assemblies that prevent the door from dropping if a cable snaps. These have a visible safety latch mechanism on the spindle body. Pre-Premier and early Premier doors have a simple spindle without this feature.
Check the spring adjuster (Ultra / retractable doors)
Ultra gear retractable doors have a spring assembly with an adjuster bolt screwed into the top of the spring coil. This differs from canopy doors where the spring simply hooks onto a bracket. If your door has side springs rather than a single overhead spring, it is a retractable-type door.
Check the spring colour (Dolphin doors)
Dolphin lightweight aluminium doors use colour-coded side springs. Yellow springs suit small single-width doors, grey suits standard single and small double-width doors, and green suits most large double-width Dolphin doors. The spring colour is visible on the spring coil body.
Step 2: Match the symptom to the part
| Symptom | Likely part needed |
|---|---|
| Door very heavy to lift or springs back down | Broken or weakened spring |
| Door drops or sags on one side when opening | Frayed or snapped cable or worn cone |
| Door binds, scrapes or travels unevenly | Worn or seized roller spindle |
| Remote no longer operates the motor | Remote handset (battery first, then reprogram) |
| Handle turns but door does not lock | Lock mechanism body or T-handle |
| Door does not latch when closed | Latch assembly or keeper |
Henderson Garage Door Spares
Genuine and pattern replacement parts for all Henderson garage door types. Fast UK delivery.
More Henderson guides on springs, cables, remotes, locks and common faults in the Henderson Spares hub.
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