Types of Garage Door Openers
Garage door openers come in many variations, making it difficult to find one that perfectly suits your home. Some are designed to produce as little noise as possible, while others are adapted to operate on large and heavy garage doors. So, consider reading the material we have provided in this post, in which we clarify the main differences between the types of garage door openers:
1. Chain Drive Garage Door Openers
Chain drive garage door openers are the most common and affordable operating system on the market today. They fit almost any traditional garage and can handle heavier doors than other leading models. Chain drive systems are incredibly robust and inexpensive.
One downside is that chain drive garage door openers are noisy and require regular maintenance.
2. Belt Drive Garage Door Openers
Belt drive garage door openers operate similarly to chain drive models, but they use a rubber belt instead of a metal chain. The rubber belt makes these operating systems extremely quiet, and of course, they are also more appealing than the first model to most homeowners. In addition to handling both small and heavy garage doors, they also lessen part of the vibration that occurs when the door opens and closes.
Besides being quieter and stronger, belt-driven garage doors come at a higher price point. Most cost $250 or more and have a shorter lifespan than other leading models.
3. Screw Drive Garage Door Openers
Screw drive garage door openers are systems that are easily found and their main advantage is that they do not make much noise when operating. They have few moving parts and use a threaded rotating rod that opens and closes your garage almost silently, thus without disturbing or waking family members.
However, frequent lubrication is necessary for these screw drive systems to function properly. Another important point is that they generally do not support large or very heavy doors.
4. Sectional Drive Garage Door Openers
Sectional drive garage door openers are the most expensive operating systems available today. They are relatively uncommon and are installed next to your garage’s torsion bar, providing extra storage space. Sectional drive garage door openers also have numerous built-in safety measures and even allow for customization of specific features.
However, sectional drive garage door openers only work with sectional garage doors and typically cost upwards of $400.
5. Direct Drive Garage Openers
Direct drive openers use a chain-driven carriage and sprocket to control garage doors. Their efficient design makes them virtually maintenance-free and perfect for tall doors. Most models also come with a long warranty, demonstrating the quality of the product.
The only drawbacks to direct drive openers are cost and availability in the market.
Final Thoughts:
As we’ve seen, choosing the right garage door opener depends on the size of your door and your needs. With so many options available, we hope we’ve helped you make the best decision.
If you need anything else, at Seamless Systems, we offer professional garage door installation and repair services. Whatever your needs, contact us for a quote.
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