Types of Garage Door Openers

Garage door openers are the type of device that you don't think about that much unless there's a problem. It could be that it makes too much noise, disrupting the lives of other household members, or the issue could be more severe - the mechanism could stop working altogether. If you would like to buy a new one, it would be useful for you to learn about different types of garage door openers first, so that you could choose the most fitting type.

Remember that no one type is better than the others - it really depends on what you prioritize the most. Although it all eventually boils down to a simple goal - opening the garage door - different types of garage door openers achieve it differently. Below you will find information on how different garage door openers work, and what are their disadvantages and advantages.

Chain Drive Garage Door Openers

Although chain drive garage door openers are an older piece of technology than their belt counterparts, it doesn't mean that it's worse. Chain drive garage door openers are the only type that can handle the heaviest doors due to their superior lifting capacity. On top of that, if you don't forget about their maintenance, they usually outlast belt chain garage openers. However, if you don't properly take care of them, the chain will rust, and their lifespan will be shorter than that of other types.

Another thing that we should mention is their price - they are typically the cheapest of all available options. Before you decide to get one, you should consider the distance between your garage and bedroom. Why? Unfortunately, chain garage door openers are the noisiest of them all, which means that if you, or someone from your family regularly comes home pretty late, the chain drive could wake up others. The newer types of those devices tend to be less noisy, as the designers have taken the complaints of customers into consideration, but in the end, there are still a lot of metal parts, which means that they are still relatively noisy.

Belt Drive Garage Door Openers

If your bedroom is in close proximity to your garage, and reducing the noise is your top priority, we recommend getting a belt drive garage door opener. This type makes the least amount of noise of all the available options. Unfortunately, they aren't cheap - actually, quite the contrary. Additionally, not all garage doors are suitable for belt drives, as their lifting capacity isn't as great as that of chain drives. That's why we recommend checking the weight of your garage doors before you decide upon a model.

On the other hand, those garage door openers are decently reliable - there aren't that many moving parts, which means that it is less likely that you'll have to service them. It can somewhat balance out their high cost, as you'll save on the repairs.

Screw Drive Garage Door Opener

If you are looking for a device that isn't as noisy as chain drive, and that has less moving parts than belt drive, you could get a screw drive instead. Its design is different and simpler than that of the 2 previous types, which means that they are generally pretty reliable, though they also require regular maintenance. They are slightly noisier than the belt drive types, but they won't disturb other household members as much as chain drive ones, while also opening garage doors twice as quickly. We recommend them especially if you have limited space in your garage.

Are there any downsides? They are actually pretty expensive, which is why it's better to choose a different garage door opener type if you are on a tight budget. Additionally, if you forget about regular lubrication and maintenance, they can easily start malfunctioning, and the repairs wouldn't be cheap.

Jackshaft Drive Garage Door Opener

If you are ready to spend quite a lot on a garage door opener, screw drive might be a better choice if you are afraid that you might forget about regular maintenance. They are among the most expensive types, but they are worth their cost. Jackshaft drive garage door openers generate only slightly more noise than belt drive mechanisms, and what's more, they can also help you save some vertical space in your garage, though not as much as in the case of belt drive ones. They are similar to screw drive mechanisms in their relatively simple designs, though the major difference is that if you decide to choose this type, you won't have to deal with regular maintenance, as there are even less moving parts that could be damaged by wear and tear.

If the aesthetic appeal of your garage is to you of utmost importance, we recommend jackshaft drive door openers. On top of that, they are also the newest technology, and most models allow users to connect to them using their smartphones and open them from a far distance. Unfortunately, it also means that if you want to spend as little on a garage door opener as possible, we recommend avoiding jackshaft ones, as they are the most expensive type.

Which Garage Door Opener Is the Best?

If it's the first time you have to decide which type of a garage door opener would suit you best, you might feel a little intimidated by a number of models available on the market. Although what you want is pretty simple - to find a mechanism that will open and close your garage door, we recommend not making a hasty decision. It's true that no matter which type you choose - the one using a belt, chain, jackshaft, or screw drive, its primary function will be the same.

Unfortunately, not every mechanism might be suitable for your garage door. Some of them take up more space, whereas others don't have enough lifting capacity for the heavier types of door. Additionally, despite their price, we wouldn't recommend getting a chain drive door opener if minimizing the noise is your number one priority. However, we cannot say that one particular type of a garage door opener is superior to others - it really depends on what you value the most.

We hope that after reading this article, choosing a model that would suit you best will be easier and that you'll be happy with your decision. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, and we'll be happy to help you!

Choosing a Garage Door Opener

Choosing the right garage door opener can be a difficult task. There are many different types of garage door openers available, and each one has its own pros and cons.

A good place to start is knowing what to look for when choosing a garage door opener. The following are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a garage door opener.

Garage Door Type

Before you start shopping for a new garage door opener, make sure that you know what kind of garage door you have. There are three main types of garage doors: sectional doors, tilt-up doors, and roll-up doors.

Each type has its own unique style and requires specific parts to function properly. If you're not sure what type of garage door you have, look at the manual that came with it when it was installed or call your local hardware store for help identifying your particular model.

Garage Door Size

The size of your garage door can affect the type of opener you choose. If your garage is small, you may need a smaller model that doesn't take up much space. If you have a large garage with room to spare, you might want to invest in a more powerful or advanced model that can handle the extra weight.

Type of Garage Opener

Manual or automatic? If you don't want the hassle of having to pull down the garage door manually every time you go in and out with your car, then an automatic opener may be right for you. There are also different types of automatic openers (called "tilt-up" or "side mount"), so be sure to check which kind is right for your space.

Manual openers are still a great option if you want to save money on installation and don't mind pulling the door up yourself. If your garage is just a storage space, then this might be the right option for you.

Horsepower

Horsepower refers to how much power your garage door opener can handle—the higher the number, the better. If you have an older or larger garage door, it might require more horsepower than a newer, smaller one.

Higher horsepower models are able to open and close garage doors more quickly. They can also lift heavier doors, which is important if you have an unusually large or heavy door.

The average garage door opener has about 1/2 horsepower. So if you have a small, lightweight door that doesn't need more than that amount of power to open and close it, then you won't need to spend extra money on a higher horsepower model.

However, if your garage door is oversized and takes longer to open or close than usual or if it tends to get stuck halfway through operation at times, then you should consider upgrading to a model with more horsepower.

Noise Level

The noise level of a garage door opener is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a model. If you're concerned about disturbing your neighbors or if you live in an area where noise complaints are common, look for a unit that offers low-noise operation. Some models even feature sound dampening materials to further reduce their decibel levels.

Safety Features

Safety features are an important consideration when choosing an automatic garage door opener because they help ensure that everyone in your household stays safe while using them regularly (or even occasionally).

Some models come with safety sensors that prevent the door from closing if a person or object is in its path. This feature can also be useful for preventing children from playing around the garage door when it's open.

Other safety features include automatic reversing systems, which stop the door from closing if an obstruction is detected or if something else goes wrong.

Backup Power

If you live in an area that experiences power outages on a regular basis, then it's important that your garage door opener has backup power. This means that the unit will still operate even if there's no electricity flowing to it. A backup battery is usually included with these types of openers; some models have solar panels for extra energy storage as well.

Accessories

Many models of garage door openers come with a variety of accessories that can be purchased separately or as part of a package. These accessories include remote controls, which allow you to operate the unit from anywhere in your home; keypads, which can be mounted on walls near the entrance to your garage; and wireless keypad remotes, which enable you to control your opener without needing line-of-sight access.

Budget

As with any major purchase, it's important to consider your budget. You may want to purchase a garage door opener with all of the bells and whistles, but if you're on a tight budget, you may have to make sacrifices.

However, if you have small children, forget the sacrifices —it's worth spending more for safety. If you have children or pets, look for an opener with a child safety sensor and/or an automatic reverse feature. This will help prevent injuries.

Also, when it comes to budget, it's important to consider how often you plan on using your garage door opener. If you only use it a few times a year, you probably don't need all of the features available. However, if you think that you'll be opening your garage door frequently, then it might be worth investing in a model with more sophisticated features.

Wrapping Up

We hope that after reading this article, choosing a model that would suit you best will be easier and that you'll be happy with your decision. Just make sure to do your research, read reviews, and ask around before you make a final decision. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, and we'll be happy to help you.