3 Factors To Consider When Buying A Garage Door Opener

garage door opener

Choosing a garage door opener is not as simple as you might think it is. There are plenty of garage doors in the market and you might be overwhelmed with different choices.

However, choosing the perfect garage door should match your priorities and budget. Let us walk you through the factors that you have to consider when choosing a garage door opener.

But before anything else, let’s learn first about its purpose.

What Is A Garage Door Opener?

It is a motorized device used to control the opening and closing of your garage door. Some garage door openers are mounted on the garage wall. Due to the advancement in technology, they can be carried by the owner and can be used to open or close the door from a short distance.

Your garage door opener has a great impact on the safety and efficiency of the operation of your garage door.

There 3 important factors that you have to consider when buying a new garage door opener. These are;

  • Proper Weight Capacity
  • Garage Door Openers Drive Style
  • Primary features

What Weight Capacity Do You Need?

When deciding what weight capacity you need, you should consider the size of your garage door and how often it is used. Basically, single wide aluminum garage doors can work well with a ½ horsepower.  But if your garage door is considered a heavier-oversized garage door, then you need a ¾ horsepower. 

You might not need to use a one horsepower model if you can open your garage door by hand. But doing this can prevent you from straining the operation of your garage door and may allow your garage door to operate for a longer time.

What Garage Door Drive Style is Suitable for My Needs?

There are three types of a garage door opener drive style and each one of them has special attributes.

Chain Drive

This is the most common drive style in the industry. It is affordable, durable and has a cheaper installation fee. Chain drives are perfect for standard aluminum garage doors and they can also work well with heavy and older garage doors.

Though chain drives are a simple and cost-effective type, they are noisy. You might not want this type of opener if you have your room next to or on top of your garage.

Chain driven garage door opener might require a periodic maintenance.

Belt-drive

Because it is built with a reinforced belt that is used for lifting, belt-drive openers are quieter than a chain drive. They are ideal when there is a room attached to your garage.

This kind of openers is a little bit pricey because of its free-disturbance feature. They might require periodic maintenance.

Screw Drive 

If you are someone who is looking for a garage door opener that is powerful, reliable, durable and fast, a screw-driven garage door opener is perfect for you. This type of opener can operate faster and smoother than a chain-driven and belt-driven openers.  It is the best option for a heavier and wider garage door.

Screw-driven garage door openers are less likely to break, thus it requires maintenance and periodical lubrication on screw heads. 

Important Features That You Have to Consider

Each type of garage door opener has special features that include safety and security. Below are the primary features you have to consider when choosing a garage door opener.

  • Safety – This is the most important feature you have to consider. According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), a total of 13, 325 people had injuries caused by garage doors in 2017. That simply elaborates on the importance of choosing a trusted manufacturer.
  • Automatic Reversing System – It is in the standard system that all garage doors should reverse automatically when it encounters something. Photoelectric sensors are placed at the base of your garage door and will not allow your garage door to close when it is interrupted.
  • Rolling Code Security Technology – This feature allows you to have a more secure garage door opener. Every time you use your remote, you can randomly choose a new code. 
  • Manual Release – This is another feature to consider. Manual release feature allows you to open the door manually and can be very helpful when you have a power loss.
  • Battery Backups – battery backups is another wonderful feature that can also help you access your garage when there is a power outage. If a power outage is a usual problem in your area, then you might consider having another battery backup.  
  • Security Lights – Security light can light up the entire garage door, making it comfortable for you to move around your garage.

 

After reading this article, you now have probably come up with the garage door opener that you need. But if you still need more tips and guidelines on choosing the perfect garage door openers, you may contact us today. We will help you choose the garage door openers that suits you best.