Do you need to replace the garage door opener in your home? When installing a new opener, you should always think carefully about which type, brand and model will work best. That’s because certain types of openers work better for specific situations. Which type of opener will be your best choice also depends on how much you want to spend and what type and size your garage door is. In this article, we’ll look at the various types of garage doors and the pros and cons of each one to help you choose the best, most reliable option for your needs.
An Overview of the Different Types of Garage Door Openers
There are four main types of garage door openers, and they are generally categorized by the type of mechanism used to drive the door up and down. The two types you’ll most commonly see in residential garages are chain-drive openers and belt-drive openers, both of which work in the same way. With either type, there is a sprocket inside of the motor that spins to move the trolley back and forth when the door opens and closes. The only difference is that a chain-drive opener has a thick chain that looks similar to a bicycle chain, which moves the trolley, whereas a belt-drive opener instead has a steel-reinforced belt.
There is technically a second type of chain-drive opener typically referred to as a direct-drive opener. The difference between this type and a standard chain-drive opener is that the direct-drive opener serves as the trolley. That means the chain is used to pull the opener back and forth along the rail so that there are fewer moving parts.
Screw-drive openers work somewhat differently and have a threaded rod that looks similar to a long screw. The rod sits within a track that connects the opener to the door and trolley and spins clockwise or counterclockwise to move the trolley and open or close the door.
A jackshaft or wall-mounted opener is unique in that it is located on the wall next to the garage door instead of being mounted on the ceiling. This type of opener also doesn’t use a trolley to pull the door along the tracks. Instead, the motor spins a rope-and-pulley system that moves the door up and down.
In terms of reliability, it’s quite tough to say which type of garage door opener is best and should last the longest. That’s because it depends in large part on factors like how heavy the door is, how much regular use it gets, how powerful the opener motor is and especially what brand and model you choose. That’s why you should always consider the pros and cons of each type of opener when deciding which one you want to install so that you get the best type for your specific needs.
Pros and Cons of Chain-Drive Openers
Chain-drive openers tend to be less expensive than belt-drive openers, which makes them a good choice if you’re on a more limited budget. As long as the opener is properly maintained, a chain-drive model will also typically be more durable and last a bit longer than a belt-drive opener. Another advantage is that chain-drive openers are usually more powerful and have an AC motor, whereas belt-drive openers have less powerful DC motors.
The biggest issue when it comes to chain-drive openers is that they are fairly noisy since the chain tends to make a clanking sound as it moves. The fact that the motor is more powerful also means it makes more noise. This noise issue is why you’ll most commonly find chain-drive openers used in detached garages. If you have an attached garage with any bedrooms above or next to it, the sound of the garage door opening and closing could easily end up waking people up at night.
Pros and Cons of Belt-Drive Openers
Belt-drive openers tend to be more expensive than chain-drive and screw-drive openers. Nonetheless, they have a major advantage over chain-drive models in that they are much quieter even if the belt may sometimes squeak. On the other hand, they can’t lift as much weight due to having smaller DC motors. This type will usually work just fine if you have a single-car aluminum or vinyl door, but it may not be powerful enough to lift a wood door, steel door or double-car door. This type also requires more maintenance and may not last as long as others due to its motor being less powerful.
Despite having a smaller motor, belt-drive openers typically open and close the door faster and more smoothly than any other type of opener. Another major advantage is that many models have a backup battery that allows the opener to still work if the power is out. The other types generally always have AC motors that can’t run off DC battery power, which means they won’t work during a power outage. With any other type of opener, your only option if your power is out is to disconnect the door from the opener and then open and close it manually.
Pros and Cons of Screw-Drive Openers
Screw-drive openers are among the quietest options and don’t require as much maintenance as the other types. The motor may make slightly more noise than a belt-drive motor, but you won’t ever have issues with squeaking or clanking noises when opening and closing the door. They’re also ideal for older homes where the ceiling in the garage is lower. That’s because the opener is more compact and doesn’t require as much overhead space as belt-drive and chain-drive models.
Although a screw-drive opener will open and close your garage door a bit more slowly, it also allows the door to open more smoothly so that it experiences less wear and tear. Another advantage is that this type is quite powerful and more capable of opening wide, heavy doors compared to chain-drive and belt-drive models. The only real drawback is that you’ll typically need to pay slightly more for this type of opener than you would all of the others except for a jackshaft model.
Pros and Cons of Jackshaft Openers
The biggest advantage of a jackshaft opener is that it mounts on the wall, which makes it ideal if you don’t have sufficient space overhead. Even if there is sufficient overhead space, installing a jackshaft opener allows you to free up additional space that you can then use for storage. Most jackshaft openers are also extremely quiet, built to last and don’t require all that much maintenance. The main downside is that you’ll have to pay quite a bit more than you would for any other type of opener.
At Door Pro America, we specialize in installing garage door openers and offer a wide range of models sure to suit whatever type and size of garage door you have. If you’re unsure of which type is your best choice, our expert technicians can advise you and help you make a more informed decision. We’re also ready to assist if you need any maintenance, repair or installation services. With locations in New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Colorado, Oregon and Washington, we’re the company people all across the US have been turning to for all of their garage door needs for more than 50 years. For more information on your options for a new garage door opener, contact us today.
