Figuring out which garage door opener best suits your home isn’t always easy. There are numerous types of garage door openers available, each with its own specific strengths and weaknesses. That’s why the experts at Garage Door Medics put together a guide to teach you about various garage door openers and their advantages so you can find the perfect model for your residence.
Garage Door Medics is one of Lakeside, CA’s leading garage door service providers. We specialize in installing, repairing, and maintaining garage doors and openers, giving us the skills we need to handle any garage door project you throw our way. If you need reliable garage door repair experts in Lakeside that always make you their top priority, look no further than Garage Door Medics.
What to Consider When Shopping for a New Garage Door Opener
Garage door openers come in numerous variations, making it difficult to find one that properly suits your home. Some accommodate heavy, oversized garage doors, while others prioritize noise reduction and safety. Consider the following when shopping for a new garage door opener to ensure it correlates with your garage’s design.
Garage Door Weight and Size
Your garage door’s weight and size often dictate your opener type. Some models can’t support heavy or wide garage doors efficiently, causing numerous issues that can jeopardize your garage’s control system. You must ensure your new garage door opener can handle excessive weight if you have dense or oversized doors.
Tall garage doors often require an extension kit to operate properly. Fortunately, extension kits are available at most home improvement stores and don’t demand exceedingly high prices. It’s best to contact a garage door specialist to measure your door and determine if it needs an extension kit.
Garage Door Material
Some garage door openers work best with specific materials. For example, steel garage doors often require powerful openers since they weigh more than most other models. However, lightweight plastic doors don’t need strong operating systems and work best with weaker variations. Always consider your garage door’s material when shopping for a new opener.
Horsepower
Most Lakeside homeowners want a garage door opener that can lift and close their doors relatively quickly and easily. Although most efficient garage door openers utilize between ½ to 1 ½ horsepower, large one-piece doors sometimes require more horsepower to function efficiently. We recommend talking to your garage door manufacturer to learn how much horsepower your opener needs to operate smoothly.
Noise
Some homeowners want their garage door openers to open and close quietly. Although most operating systems make slight noises while functioning, some models prioritize silent operation, allowing residents to control their garage doors without disturbing others. Try finding a belt drive garage door opener if you want to operate your garage doors with minimal noise.
Safety
Most modern garage door openers have built-in safety features that protect users from injuries and dangerous situations. Many electronic models utilize reverse action sensors or shaped edges that prevent garage doors from closing on objects, vehicles, and unsuspecting people. These safety features also prevent unnecessary door damage by stopping the garage door before it falls on an object, making them essential for families with pets and small children.
Budget
Garage door opener costs vary depending on the model, horsepower, size, and other functional attributes. Try finding a high-quality operating system that correlates with your garage door type without surpassing your financial means. There are several affordable garage door openers available that are easy to use and provide immense security without sacrificing quality.
Types of Garage Door Openers
Now that you understand what to look for in your garage door opener, you can start learning about the different makes and models. Again, there are several types of garage door openers to choose from, ranging from silent belt drive operating systems to robust jackshaft openers. Below are some of the most common garage door openers available in Lakeside, CA
1. Screw Drive Garage Door Openers
Screw drive garage door openers are relatively affordable operating systems that don’t make excessive noise while functioning. Instead of using numerous moving parts, screw drive openers utilize a threaded rotating rod that opens and closes your garage almost silently, allowing you to operate your doors without disturbing sleeping family members.
However, screw drive operating systems require frequent lubrication to function correctly and can’t support most heavy or large one-piece doors. They also tend to break down in severe fluctuating temperatures, making them less ideal in specific climates. Despite these negative qualities, screw drive garage door openers are an affordable option for homeowners looking for a quiet operating system.
2. Chain Drive Openers
Chain drive garage door openers are the most common and affordable operating system on the market today. They fit almost all traditional garages and support heavier doors than other leading models. Chain drive systems are incredibly robust and only cost a few hundred dollars before installation, allowing you to save money for future home improvement projects.
It’s important to note that chain drive openers are very loud and require routine upkeep to maintain optimal performance. They also don’t work with garages underneath living spaces, making them less suitable for homes with garage apartments or underground carports.
3. Belt Drive Garage Door Openers
Belt drive openers function similarly to chain drive models but utilize a rubber belt instead of a metal chain. The rubber belt makes these operating systems extremely quiet, making them more appealing to most homeowners. They support light and heavy garage doors and severely diminish operational vibration while in use.
Belt drive openers’ silent functionality and robustness come at a higher price. Most cost $350 or more and have shorter lifespans than other leading models. However, if you keep up with your belt drive opener’s maintenance schedule, you can extend its longevity by several years.
4. Jackshaft Openers
Jackshaft garage door openers are the most expensive operating systems currently available. They are relatively uncommon and installed next to your garage’s torsion bar, giving you extra storage space. Jackshaft garage openers also have numerous built-in safety measures and even allow you to customize specific features.
However, Jackshaft openers only work with sectional garage doors and typically cost over $500. Their limitations and high price point make them less ideal for residential garages despite their superior operation.
5. Direct Drive Openers
Direct drive openers utilize a chained trolley and gear wheel to control garage doors. Their efficient design makes them nearly maintenance-free and perfect for tall doors. Most models also come with a lifetime warranty, ensuring homeowners receive a quality product that withstands the test of time.
The only downsides of direct drive openers are their cost and availability. They are often hard to find and demand between $300 to $500 on average. However, many homeowners believe it’s a small price to pay for an efficient operating system backed by a lifetime warranty.
Contact Garage Door Medics for Unmatched Garage Door Installation and Associated Services
Garage Door Medics is Lakeside, CA’s number one choice for garage door installation, maintenance, and repair services. Our team will teach you about the different types of garage door openers and help you install your new operating system. We’ve been helping Lakeside residents enhance their garages for over 30 years, qualifying us for all your garage door needs.
Whether you need a battery backup for your new garage door opener or need help converting from a manual to automatic garage door, Garage Door Medics is here for you.
Contact Garage Door Medics at (888) 997-2423 and see what our team can do for you today!
