When installing a garage door opener, you may be surprised at the number of choices you have for materials and systems used for the opener itself. You may assume that all automatic openers are alike, but this just isn't the case; like the garage door itself, there are different materials used for the openers, and they all operate differently and may have a wide range of prices as well. Note a few factors about each type of system so you know the right choice for your home.
Belt-drive system
This system is very popular for garage doors today because it's very strong, but very quiet. The belt-drive system operates with a series of steel-enforced belts, like the steel belts inside your tires. The steel makes the belts very strong, but the soft material of the belts also makes the garage very quiet. If you're replacing a noisy garage door or have a garage door located close to or right underneath a living space, the belt-drive system can be the best choice. It allows for the quietest operation of the door so you have the least amount of disturbance.
Screw-drive system
This system uses a threaded steel rod that slides within a chamber to lift the garage door. It is typically considered the strongest of all the systems and can be the best choice for very heavy, steel garage doors or for oversized doors. Despite its strength, it may also require the least amount of maintenance because it has the fewest moving parts. The screw-drive system may be the priciest system you see because of its strength and longevity, so it may be too much of an investment for a lighter wooden garage door.
Chain-drive system
This system is the most commonly used for garage doors and includes a system of chains that wrap around a gear or gears to pull the door up or lower it into position. While this system is very affordable, it may also require the most maintenance. The chains may stretch and warp or break over time and are often quite noisy as they lift and lower the door. They also need regular lubrication and cleaning to keep them moving freely.
When choosing a garage door opening system, consider your budget, but also the longevity and durability of the system and if it will be strong enough to hold the weight of your door. It might be worth the comfort of upgrading to a belt system so you don't have the noise of an old chain system with your door.
For help selecting the best remote garage door opener for your needs, work with a local garage door repair and installation company.
Share8 October 2015
Welcome to my blog. My name is Colin, and I work in a library in a small town. As we don't have a lot of patrons, we have a lot of downtime, and I am allowed to read during that time if no shelving needs to be done. Fiction was my first love, but over years at the library, I have delved into a range of other topics, including ones I thought would never interest me. In particular, I have done a lot of reading on garage doors, which is a surprisingly interesting topic. I wanted to create a blog so decided to throw my focus there. I hope you like these tips and ideas on garage doors and that they help you.