Garage Openers

About Garage Door Openers

Opening garage doors manually can be an inconvenient and challenging task. Garage door openers let homeowners access their car storage areas with ease. They use advanced technology to allow the user to access their space without any obstructions.

Advantages of Garage Door Openers

Garage door openers come with numerous advantages. For one, they let homeowners open their sectional garage doors without much effort. They're cost-effective to operate and don't make a significant impact on the environment, so homeowners can use their opener as frequently as they need to. They offer a safe way to open and close the entrance to a storage area, so no one has to worry about crushing their fingers.

Another benefit of these products is that they enhance a residence's security. Burglars can enter unsecured homes, but a garage door opener adds a welcome layer of additional safety.

A final advantage of these products is that they come with lighting options. Depending on the kind of opener in place, a user can trigger a light to come on when they open their roller garage doors. Homeowners can leave for work early in the morning without having to stumble to their cars. These products illuminate the storage area, which is very useful at night, during the winter, or amid inclement weather.

Different Types of Garage Door Openers

Not all garage openers are the same. Explore the different types below:

Chain-Driven

Chain-drive garage door openers are among the most affordable options. They work a lot as a bicycle does. An industrial chain attaches to the garage door motor, and the chain hoists the door up. This type is beneficial for older, heavier doors, as it's known for its strength. 

Belt-Driven

Belt-driven products are similar to their chain-driven counterparts, but a reinforced belt does the lifting instead of a metal chain. The belts can feature various materials, but most commonly include steel-reinforced rubber, polyurethane, and fibreglass.

Belt-driven products are very popular among homeowners because of their low noise production. Chain-driven products tend to create a lot of noise because of their metal components. But belt-driven versions produce less noise and fewer vibrations. Homeowners who have attached garages, as opposed to detached ones, enjoy this limited noise production, as it allows them to use their opener without disturbing their other residents.

Screw-Drive

Chain-driven and belt-driven products are similar, but screw-drive products take a unique approach. They don't pull up the door; instead, they use a threaded metal rod that turns like a screw to lift the entrance.

Screw-drive products tend to do their jobs much faster than others, and they have fewer moving parts that require maintenance and repair. Plus, they operate much smoother than a chain-driven product. 

Jackshaft

Jackshaft products are also known as wall-mount garage door openers. These contrast with their ceiling-mounted counterparts. They're ideal for spaces that have limited ceiling space. They also provide increased security because criminals can't use a long hook to pull the manual release.

Direct-Drive

Direct-drive products use a belt or chain, but the chain remains stationary while the motor moves along the chain. The biggest appeal of this product is that it delivers a noiseless operation.

Mechanism of Operation

A lot goes into this product's mechanism of operation. One of the most important features is the automatic reversing function. This feature switches the direction of a door that's hitting any time it senses an unexpected object (like a person walking or a bicycle). Electronic sensors installed at a door's base monitor unexpected obstructions and reverse the entrance's movement when necessary.

Most of these products implement rolling code technology. Every time a homeowner clicks their garage door opener remote, the opener and remote randomly choose a new code to complete the command. This method allows for enhanced security and prevents thieves from breaking in.

These products often come with a manual release feature. If a homeowner ever endures an extended power outage, they can open their garage using the manual release feature. 

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Garage Door Opener

Conscientious homeowners should consider several factors before buying a garage door opener.

One consideration to make is horsepower. If a product's horsepower is too high for a homeowner's lifting needs, the garage door motor will work too hard and waste energy. On the other hand, a motor with too low horsepower will lead to unnecessary wear and tear.

Another thing to think about is garage door remotes. Having a remote on hand (instead of relying on a wall-mounted button) allows a user to control their sliding garage doors from the comfort of their vehicle.

Garage door openers adapt to the types of garage doors. Roller door openers, automatic garage door openers, and electric garage door openers are all innovative technologies that have made it easier and more convenient for homeowners to open and close their garage doors. These openers offer benefits such as convenience, security, and safety.

Some homeowners prefer simple products, but others search for a smart garage door opener. With a wireless garage door opener, a homeowner can control their entrance from their mobile device. They never have to search for a separate remote as long as they have their phone within reach.

Care & Maintenance

Thankfully, garage door openers don't require much maintenance. However, a user should always follow their manufacturer's recommendations for safe use. 

For example, a user may benefit from getting their unit inspected twice a year. And a homeowner should never allow strange noises and jolting movements to go unaddressed. If an entrance isn't gliding closed smoothly, there's likely something wrong with the opener. In this case, a qualified repair technician may have to intervene.