Understanding Garage Door Pinch Points and Anti-Pinch Panel Design
Published: Jan 15, 2026
Your garage door is the largest moving object in your home. You probably know about the importance of its safety sensors—the little electronic eyes near the floor that stop the door from closing on an object. But what about the danger you can’t see as easily?
It’s the space between the door sections, a risk that safety experts call a "pinch point." Shockingly, research has shown that nearly one-third of garage doors that pass standard safety tests could still pose a significant finger-crushing hazard to children. Understanding this hidden danger is the first step toward creating a truly safe home for your family.'
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about pinch points, from identifying them on your current door to understanding the modern technology that has made them a thing of the past.
What Exactly Is a Garage Door Pinch Point?
In simple terms, a pinch point is any area on your garage door where a finger or other object could get caught and crushed as the door moves. While the entire mechanism has moving parts, the most common and dangerous pinch points for homeowners are located at the section joints—the horizontal seams where the large panels of your garage door meet.
On older doors, as the door rolls up and articulates, the gap between these panels can open and close like a powerful jaw. A curious child's fingers placed in this gap can be severely injured when the door is activated.
The Solution: Anti-Pinch by Design
Recognizing this significant safety flaw, the garage door industry evolved. Manufacturers developed new panel designs specifically to eliminate this hazard, a feature often called "pinch-resistant" or "anti-pinch."
This wasn't just a good idea; it became an industry-wide safety benchmark known as the DASMA 116 standard. The genius of this innovation lies in the shape of the panel joints themselves.
As you can see in the diagram:
- Older Doors often have V-shaped or tongue-and-groove joints that create a distinct gap as the door opens. This is the danger zone.
- Modern Pinch-Resistant Doors use a ship-lap or other specialized joint design. As the door moves, these joints roll together in a way that pushes fingers out and away, rather than pulling them in. There is no gap for fingers to get trapped.
This simple but effective change in engineering fundamentally makes the door safer for everyone, especially families with young children.
A Complete Safety System: More Than Just Sensors
It’s a common misconception that if your photo-eye sensors are working, your garage door is completely safe. In reality, your door relies on a system of safety features that all address different risks.
- Photo-Eye Sensors: Prevent the door from crushing a person or object underneath it.
- Auto-Reverse Mechanism: Reverses the door if it makes physical contact with an object while closing.
- Anti-Pinch Panels: Prevent fingers from being crushed between the door sections.
Thinking of these features as a complete safety suite is crucial. Your photo-eye garage door sensors protect you from one type of accident, while anti-pinch panels protect you from another entirely.
Your 1-Minute Home Inspection Guide
Curious about your own garage door? You don’t need to be an expert to check for pinch points. Take a minute and follow these simple steps to assess your door's safety.
- Examine the Panel Joints: With the garage door closed, look closely at the horizontal seams where the panels meet. Do they form a tight seal, or can you see a potential gap where the panels will separate when the door opens? Compare it to the "Dangerous Gap" vs. "No Gap" diagram above.
- Look for Warning Labels: Modern, pinch-resistant doors usually have safety labels from the manufacturer near the bottom panel or track, often indicating that they meet safety standards. The absence of these labels can be a sign of an older, non-compliant door.
- Check Your Door's Age: If your home was built before the late 1990s and the garage door is original, there's a high probability it does not have anti-pinch technology.
If your inspection reveals that you have an older door with dangerous pinch points, the safest solution is to consider a modern replacement. While performing regular garage door maintenance is important, some safety features simply cannot be retrofitted. A complete garage door panel replacement or a new installation is often the most effective path to peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all new garage doors pinch-resistant?
The vast majority of residential garage doors sold by reputable manufacturers in the U.S. today are designed to be pinch-resistant to comply with industry safety standards. However, it's always wise to confirm this feature when considering a new garage door installation.
Can I make my old garage door pinch-safe?
Unfortunately, there are no certified or reliable aftermarket products that can retrofit an old door to be pinch-resistant. The safety feature is integral to the physical design of the panels themselves. If you have a non-resistant door, the primary way to mitigate the risk is through education—teaching family members, especially children, never to touch the door while it's in motion. For a permanent solution, a professional garage door panel repair or replacement is necessary.
My door has safety sensors, so do I really need anti-pinch panels?
Yes. As explained above, they solve two different problems. Safety sensors stop the door from closing on top of something, while anti-pinch panels prevent fingers from being crushed between moving sections. A truly safe door has both. Comprehensive safety also includes proper garage door safety sensor installation to ensure all components work together.
What does DASMA 116 mean?
DASMA stands for the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association. DASMA 116 is the official industry standard that specifies the requirements for pinch-resistant garage door section joints. It's the technical benchmark that ensures a door is designed to prevent these specific types of injuries.
A Final Word on Safety
Your garage door is a workhorse, but its power demands respect. By taking a few moments to understand its safety systems, you can ensure it serves your family safely and reliably for years to come. If you've identified potential pinch points or have any concerns, don't hesitate to seek professional advice. Knowing and following basic garage door safety rules is the best way to protect everyone in your household.
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