Types Of Garage Door Openers

Over the years, garage door openers have made many advancements by keeping up with modern technology. Your choice will depend on how durable you need the device to be to meet your needs. You will want to consider the horsepower output, as well as whether you want a belt, chain, or other device for the door's functions.

Chain Drive

Chain options are the most affordable, durable, and popular choice on the market, but are also noisy when the door opens and closes. Oversized doors, heavily insulated or wind-rated doors, or heavy garage door types work best with a chain drive unit. Some of the noise can be eliminated with chain separators to stop the chain from clanking against the track. However, if the door is located away from bedrooms or in a detached garage, the noise level would not be a big factor.

Screw-drive Openers

A long metal rod is threaded like a screw, and has few parts that can move with this model. This is reliable but is also noisy, but are more quiet than chain driven units. More maintenance is required for this type because the metal rod will mesh against the drive with plastic teeth to catch the threading component. The drive must have proper lubrication because the teeth may become stripped with time if the drive becomes dry.

This type may not work well for one-piece or heavy wooden doors. The extra weight could wear the inner works and teeth down quickly. However, it would work effectively with a single-car garage door. The thinner materials lower the weight of the door. Newer units, are faster than some of the other types of openers.

Belt Drives

Belt driven openers are one of the quietest units available because a rubber belt is used on a cog to close and open the door. In some cases, the door may jerk into movement when the door is opened and closed at full power.

Jack-shaft and Direct-drive Openers

Jack-shaft openers have no overhead parts. The opener will attach to the front wall of the garage door. Cables are attached directly to the door with a rolling torsion bar and pulleys to lower and lift the door. Some of the computerized models, have automatic deadbolt locks for added safety. However, some of these are more expensive than other models.

Direct-drive openers move on a track connected to the motor by a J-arm. It still has an overhead rail with a chain, but is very quiet. Some have lifetime warranties, but may be more expensive compared to a belt drive opener.

You have several choices for your garage door opener. It will depend on which type you prefer, and how much money you want to invest in the opener. One of the main elements to consider is the location of your sleeping accommodations. If noise is not a factor, any of the above units could serve your needs. For more information, contact companies like Don Johnson's Door Service.