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Garage doors are opened and closed on an average of about 1500 times per year.
Considering the size and height of the common garage door, it would be hard for anyone to lift it manually.
This is where mechanisms that can help in this task come in.
Garage door openers are critical to the functionality of these doors.
Having an opener installed makes things a whole lot easier.
But how do you know which garage door opener is the right one for you and your needs?
Garage Door Openers
Garage door openers have one simple function – to raise the garage doors for you and close it when needed.
However given the technology nowadays, it is never that simple.
Choosing the right kind of opener may need more research and time.
So what are the different types of garage door openers available in the market nowadays?
1. Chain Drive Openers
Chain drive openers are generally the cheapest of all the options.
However, it can be really noisy when operating.
It works by having a metal chain drive the trolley, raising and lowering the doors.
Since it is cheaper than the other options, this is the most common type for most individuals who are looking for a good opener but with a constricted budget.
If the noise is not an issue for you, then this could be a good option for you.
2. Belt Drive Openers
Belt Drive Openers are made of rubber belts and use it as the main driver.
This functions by having the rubber belt slide the trolley when the door is opened or closed.
Compared to the chain drive, it is certainly quieter and has fewer vibrations.
This means that during operation, the Belt drive will emit almost no noise.
This is a good choice for those who prefer a quieter option and low maintenance requirements.
3. Screw Drive Openers
Screw Drive openers use a threaded steel rod that is responsible for lifting the trolley up and down.
A screw drive opener has fewer moving parts making it quiet as a whole with even lesser maintenance needs than the Belt Drive.
It also does not vibrate as much as the two previous options.
4. Direct Drive Openers
Direct drive openers do not use belts, chains, or threaded rods for it to function.
It is a type of opener where the motor directly moves the trolley.
Not only does this simplify the whole mechanism, but this type of opener also results in a smooth and quiet operation that rarely needs any maintenance at all.
Factors to consider when buying a garage door opener
Decided already which of the openers above you prefer the most? Good.
Next on the list are the factors you need to consider for your desired garage door opener.
One of the factors you need to consider for your garage door is the horsepower.
Horsepower provides the driving force needed to move the door up and down.
Choosing a higher HP does not necessarily mean that your door will open faster than the rest of the options as the speed is already pre-set and is consistent.
Choosing the right horsepower for your opener will reduce the strain it places on your mechanism making it less susceptible to breaking down and the sort.
If done wrong, this could mean more garage door services availed since breakdown will be more frequent.
The HP of your opener can be decided based on the size and the weight of your garage door.
Lower HP generally means a lower cost but if it is not proportioned to the weight of your door, this might not be able to open it at all.
Choose wisely before you decide the power of your garage door opener.
Another thing to consider is the features that come with your garage door opener.
Some of these features can be considered essential and therefore must be included while others can be considered as mere accessories and are not necessary to have for your garage door.
Although accessory features are not exactly needed, nevertheless, they can be handy and convenient to have.
See below for some features you may have to consider having for your very own garage door:
- Remote/ Keychain Remote
- Security Light
- The ability to perform Manual Release
- Automated System
- Auto-close function
- Battery Back-up
- LED lights
Also, with the advances in technology, it is now possible to add safety features to your garage doors. Safety Features include the following:
- Motion Sensors
- Locks
- Vacation Settings
These are only some of the things you must consider upon purchasing your very first garage door opener.
Garage Door Installation
Although it may be true that openers can be installed by yourself, there is a good reason why it is still recommended that you hire a professional.
Installing a garage door opener can be a hefty job especially for a novice.
There are a lot of things you need to know before actually installing the opener.
Someone with more experience than you do in handling opener systems will also manage to do the job faster and with minimal errors.
However, if you insist on doing it yourself, there are a lot of guides you can search and read online that can help you with installing your opener.
But be informed that although it may look easy, this is no easy job to do.
It needs patience and the right tools to perfectly install that desired opener system for your garage door.
Conclusion
Over-all, garage door openers can be really convenient and helpful.
Having one installed at your place will certainly be a great help for you.
However, you have to choose wisely which kind of opener system you want based on your budget and needs.
You cannot just choose the best options without considering your pocket.
You can perform the installation yourself if you want to, however, it is still recommended to hire a professional for this type of job, especially if you do not have the basic know-how when it comes to garage door openers.
If you need professional help in deciding your opener system, you can contact GDR Houston Garage Doors.
This company has been serving the industry for almost 12 years now and counting.
They are a company specializing in same-day repair and installation services for your garage door needs.
Our garage door specialists excel in 24-hour repairs meaning they are available any time of the day.
We also offer emergency repair services if needed.
If you live in Houston and are having problems with their Garage Door and Garage Door Opener systems, then GDR Houston Garage Doors is the shop for you.
Reliable, Fast, and Quality services – you name it, they have it. Contact GDR now!
