When you need to replace your garage door opener, it’s important that you get the right device for your door. There are four main types of garage door openers, and each one is best suited to certain situations or for certain types of doors. Each type also has a few unique pros and cons. In this guide, we explain what they are to help you determine which option is best for your specific needs.
Chain-Drive Garage Door Openers
The most commonly used, and usually the least expensive type, is a chain-drive opener. Chain-drive openers also tend to be more durable and last longer than other types of openers as long as they are regularly maintained by a professional.
The biggest drawback to having a chain-drive opener for your garage door is that it will make more noise than any other type of opener. A chain-drive opener is a good, budget-friendly option for detached garages or garages that are well soundproofed. However, we usually wouldn’t recommend this type of unit for a garage with bedrooms above or next to it due to the amount of noise you’ll be able to hear each time your garage door opens and closes.
A chain-drive opener also typically causes the garage door to shake or vibrate more when opening and closing. This often results in the garage door needing more maintenance since the vibrations result in issues like the hardware slowly loosening over time.
Belt-Drive Garage Door Openers
Belt-drive openers work similarly to chain-drive openers. The main difference is that instead of using a metal chain, the opener has a reinforced rubber belt that moves the door trolley back and forth and allows the door and rollers to slide along the tracks. This rubber belt allows the door to open and close more smoothly and easily, which is why this type of opener typically has a smaller DC motor compared to the other types. A belt-drive opener will also open and close the door more quickly than most other options.
The smaller motor and smoother operation means that a belt-drive opener will work much more quietly and allow your door to open and close almost completely silently. As such, it’s usually the preferred choice for situations where you have sleeping areas near your garage or are otherwise concerned about noise. Many belt-drive openers also have a backup battery to ensure they can still work if the power is out, which isn’t the case with most other options.
One drawback to this type of opener is that it can’t lift as much weight. While it will usually work just fine with a standard-size aluminum or vinyl door, it may not be an effective option if your door is oversized or made from a heavier material like steel or wood. Similarly, it usually isn’t recommended for an insulated door due to the door’s increased thickness and weight.
A belt-drive opener will cost you more than a chain-drive unit. It will also require more maintenance, especially if you live in a hot, humid climate since heat and humid can damage the belt and cause the motor to slip.
Screw-Drive Garage Door Openers
Screw-drive openers use a threaded steel rod that rotates to pull the trolley back and forth. This rod allows the opener to lift more weight than a belt-drive opener, which makes it more suitable for wider or heavier doors. This type of opener also has fewer components than the alternate options, so it has lower maintenance requirements and is less likely to suddenly break down. Although screw-drive openers don’t typically make loud squeaking or clanking noises like chain-drive units, they still aren’t as quiet as belt-drive openers.
Screw-drive openers are more compact than belt- or chain-drive units, which makes this type of unit the ideal choice if you have an older home, and your garage has a low ceiling. A screw-drive opener will typically open and close your garage door more slowly, but it will also move the door more smoothly so that its components are less likely to loosen or get damaged over time.
Wall-Mounted Garage Door Openers
While the other options mount directly to the garage ceiling, you can also opt for a wall-mounted opener. Sometimes also referred to as a jackshaft opener, this type of unit uses a torsion spring and a pulley and rope system to move the door up and down instead of a traditional trolley and chain, belt or screw.
A wall-mounted opener can be a great option in certain situations, as it will work quietly and last a fairly long time. However, it does have some specific requirements or limitations. Specifically, you need to have an electrical outlet within 6 feet of the opener and sufficient space on the side of the door to install it. A jackshaft opener also requires a torsion spring to work, so it won’t work if your door has extension springs.
Wall-mounted openers are typically the most expensive option. However, they are ideal for garages with a higher ceiling or a sloped ceiling where the other types of openers generally wouldn’t work or would be difficult to install. This type of opener is also a great choice if your garage door has an unusually low ceiling since it doesn’t require nearly as much overhead clearance above the door. Although not as powerful as a chain- or screw-drive opener, a wall-mounted opener will still usually work with most garage doors up to 14 feet tall.
Smart Garage Door Openers
Smart garage door openers technically aren’t a separate category since they can use any of the four different types of drives we mentioned. Like other smart home technology, this type of opener is internet-enabled and can connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network. This allows you to use the opener’s app to control your garage door remotely or check to see if it is open or closed, all at the push of a button. You can also program the opener to send an alert to your phone whenever your garage door opens or if it stays open for longer than a set period.
Some smart openers also have a video camera and audio capabilities. This can be useful for talking with delivery people and allowing them to safely put any packages inside your garage to eliminate the risk of theft. Some units also come with a laser parking assist feature that shines a red beam of light onto your dashboard. This light allows you to know exactly when you’ve pulled far enough forward for the door to close while eliminating the risk of pulling up too far and hitting the wall.
At Door Pro America, we’ve been providing professional garage door services for more than 50 years. We specialize in garage door opener installation and can also help if you need garage door repairs or a door replacement. We serve customers throughout the nation including in Virginia, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Oregon, Illinois and Washington.
If you need to a new opener installed or require any other garage door services, contact our expert team at Door Pro America today.
