How to decide on a garage door opener
By Jim Hatley, January 15, 2022
Are you looking for a new garage door opener but don't know where to begin your search? There are solutions available to help you be sure that you are obtaining the correct opener for the job. If you're thinking about replacing your garage door or garage door opener, you're probably wondering which to buy first.
We recommend that you spend some time thinking about how your new door and garage door opener will work together from the start. Different doors require different types of openers, which may influence the specifications of the opener you're considering. Here is some helpful advice to help you make the right choice:
Types of Garage Door Openers
Chain Drive Openers
Chain drive garage door openers use a chain connected to your garage door that pushes or pulls. This type of opener is suitable for most garage doors as it can lift various weights and heights. This opener works on the same principles as any simple pulley system, so you'll be able to manually open or close your garage door in the event of a power outage or other emergency with the manual release function.
These openers are cost-effective, strong, dependable, long-lasting, and readily available.
Belt Drive Openers
Belt drive garage door openers work similarly to a chain drive opener, except it uses a rubber belt. This, however, can be a bit more expensive. These openers are suitable for lifting heavier garage doors, multi-panel, or one-piece doors. Because garage doors have become heavier, strength is an essential factor to consider. While a steel or metal chain provides a lot of strength, a belt-drive opener is powerful enough to handle any home garage door.
These openers are very quiet, robust, reliable, durable, and fast opening.
Direct Drive Openers
Direct drive garage door openers are becoming very popular when overhead space is limited. Direct Drive garage door openers are mounted to the wall near the top of the garage door, and the motor is directly connected to the door. There are no chains or belts, and no carrier track above the door. This saves precious space and enables garage door openers to be installed where traditional chain, belt, and screw drive openers won’t fit.
These openers are compact, quiet, dependable, and readily available.
Screw Drive Openers
A steel threaded rod rides on a trolley in a screw drive garage door opener. The trolley and the associated door are moved by an electric motor that turns the rod. The simplicity of this opening type is appealing. Screw drives are temperature sensitive; therefore, they may need to be serviced more frequently in applications that see drastic seasonal temperature fluctuations.
These openers are cost-effective, compact in size, easy to maintain and repair, very quiet, and less inclined to wear than other openers.
Factors to consider when buying a garage door opener
- Horsepower: The first thing to consider is the amount of horsepower you will need. Residential models typically have ratings ranging from 1/2 to 1 1/2 horsepower. A 1/2-horsepower motor should be enough for a sectional double-car garage door, but a higher-power model will run with less effort and wear and tear on the motor.
- Brand and Price: Comparing the many features of different brands is another excellent technique to limit down your garage door opener preferences. This way, you'll be able to select the correct functionality to meet your specific needs. Remember that you should consider both the quality of the garage door opener, how easy it is to acquire regular maintenance and repairs, and your budget when making a decision.
- Security: Many garage door opener models also include a variety of additional security measures to assist homeowners in keeping their garage safe and secure. Consider the security features, such as security flights and sensors, when buying a garage door opener for your home.
- Battery Back-ups: If you're wondering whether or not installing batteries for your garage door opener is a good idea, the answer is yes. This is especially true if you experience power disruptions frequently.
- Speed: Different garage door openers will open and close at different rates. Check out the specifications of different garage doors to make sure you choose one that operates at the speed you like.
- WiFi: Openers with MyQ WiFi are the latest in convenience, safety, and security for your garage doors. They enable you to check the open or closed status of your door remotely, operate the opener remotely, and even schedule your door to automatically close at night if you or your kids inadvertently left it open.
Having a modern automatic garage door opener with WiFi offers you a lot of added convenience and security. At Tri Lakes Garage Doors, our professional team has the needed expertise to help you along every step of choosing the opener type and garage door for you.
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