Garage door openers come in many sizes and styles. You might feel overwhelmed with the array of options and struggle to decide which one will work best for your garage door. We’ve created this guide to explain all you need to know about garage door opener types and sizes to help you find a unit that best meets your needs.
Understanding Garage Door Opener Sizes and Power Ratings
Garage door openers run on either AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current) power. You don’t necessarily need to understand the difference between AC and DC power when choosing which opener to buy, but you do need to understand how each one rates in terms of power. This ensures that you get an opener that is the right size for your garage door.
The amount of power the motor on an AC opener provides is measured in horsepower (HP). How powerful DC openers are is measured in Newton force (N). Residential AC garage door openers are usually 1/3, 1/2, or 3/4 HP. Most DC openers designed for residential garage doors are either 500 or 700 N. The more horsepower or newtons an opener has, the more powerful it is and the greater weight it can lift. An opener with a more powerful motor will typically also last longer and be a better choice if your garage door is used frequently.
Choosing the Right Size Opener for Your Garage Door
The main factors that determine what size of opener you need are the size of your garage door and what it is made of. Standard single garage doors are typically 8 or 9 feet wide and 7 or 8 feet tall. Older homes often have slightly smaller doors, but the majority of newer houses have at least a 9″x7″ door. This is simply because the size of vehicles has increased a lot over time.
For most single doors that are no bigger than 9×7, you’re usually fine opting for a 1/2-HP AC opener or a 500-N DC opener. The standard size for newer double garage doors is 16″ wide by 7″ tall. For a door this size, you will generally need a 3/4-HP or 700-N motor. If you have a taller door to accommodate a camper or RV, you may need to choose a more powerful commercial or industrial motor that is designed to lift much more weight.
The material the door is made of and whether it is insulated or not also makes a major difference in terms of weight and thus how powerful the motor needs to be. Aluminum and vinyl doors are fairly light and don’t require that much power to lift them. If you have a double-layer or triple-layer insulated door, a steel door, or a solid wood door, you will be best to choose at least a 3/4-HP or 700-N opener.
Pros and Cons of AC vs. DC Openers
AC openers have been around much longer and are the type still found in the majority of homes. Although they are fairly durable and usually less expensive, they typically make quite a bit more noise compared to DC openers. On the other hand, AC openers tend to have fewer maintenance requirements. AC openers are also more powerful and thus the better choice for larger, heavier garage doors.
One of the biggest differences between AC and DC opener motors is in how they work to open and close the door. AC openers provide lots of constant power that ensures the door opens smoothly and moves up and down fairly quickly. DC motors instead start out running more slowly before ramping up the power once the door starts moving. The motor then slows down again once the door is almost fully open or closed.
What these factors mean is that the door will open and close slightly slower with a DC opener, but the motor will run more quietly. By adjusting the amount of power, a DC opener also allows the door to open and close more softly. This has the benefit of reducing the strain on all of the components and hardware on the door and opening mechanism to help prevent them from loosening or wearing out as quickly. The fact that a DC motor doesn’t have to start at full power is also one of the reasons why this type of opener typically lasts longer.
Another advantage of DC openers is that many of them have a battery backup that ensures they can work if the power to the home is out. If you have an AC motor and the power goes out, your only option is to disconnect the door from the opener so that you can open and close it manually. One final thing to note is that any smart opener that you can control remotely from your phone will generally always have a DC motor.
Types of Garage Door Openers
Garage door openers also vary regarding the type of drive they use and where they are mounted. Most openers have a chain-drive, belt-drive, or screw-drive motor. All of these openers are installed on the ceiling and use a trolley to move the door up and down along the tracks or rails. Wall-mounted jackshaft openers connect directly to the torsion bar or spring above the door. This type of opener works by simply turning the bar so that the torsion spring moves the door up and down along the tracks.
Chain-Drive Openers
Chain-drive openers are typically less expensive, but make quite a bit more noise compared to the other options. This makes them best suited for detached garages. You can still use a chain-drive opener in an attached garage, but you will usually be able to hear quite a bit of noise in any rooms above or next to the garage every time you open and close the door.
Belt-Drive Openers
DC openers almost always have a belt-driven opener that allows them to work far more quietly. As such, this is often the best choice for homes with bedrooms next to or above the garage. The DC motor on a belt-drive opener is also smaller, which can make it more suitable if there is less overhead space.
Screw-Drive Openers
Screw-drive openers are also fairly quiet and compact. While they don’t make any squeaking or clanking noises like belt-drive and chain-drive openers, they are still slightly louder than belt-drive openers since they have an AC motor. Nonetheless, this type of opener is often the best choice for larger, heavier doors since it moves a bit more smoothly and slowly to help prevent issues from arising.
Jackshaft Openers
Wall-mounted jackshaft openers, which were once mainly used for commercial and industrial garage doors, have become more common for residential doors. While a jackshaft opener will usually cost more than any other option, it will be the quietest option. It’s also perfect for a garage with a lower ceiling where there may not be room for an overhead opener.
If you’re still unsure of which type and size of garage door opener you need, the team at Door Pro America can advise you on which options will work best. We have more than 50 years of experience and are ready to help if you need any garage door installation, repair, or maintenance services in Virginia, Illinois, Washington, Oregon, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, or Colorado. If you need a new opener installed or any other garage door service, contact our team today.
