When investing in a garage door opener, there are certain things you have to look out for. Otherwise, you might regret your selection. Here are the most important things you should check before making your purchase.
Types of Garage Door Openers
When it comes to types, there are 4 kinds of garage door openers that you can choose from. They are:
Chain Drive
The chain drive garage door opener is one of the most commonly available types. It has been used for quite a few years and uses a metal chain to move the trolley to open and close the door. These are the kinds of garage door openers that make the most noise and simply will not grant you a quiet entry or exit. The reason why people opt for them is that they are the least expensive of the lot.
Screw Drive
One of the least maintenance requiring garage door openers is the screw drive opener. It has a threaded rod that helps in opening and closing the door, making it preferred for bigger and heavier doors. It is much quieter as compared to other garage door openers and thus a good choice for those who leave early and come back late so as not to disturb people around them.
Belt Drive
Manufactured with a steel-reinforced rubber belt that helps lift and lower the door, the belt drive garage door opener runs smoothly and without any noise. If your house features a room over the garage that you have rented out, this is the best choice of garage door opener for you because it would not cause any disturbance. Keep in mind though that this opener requires proper maintenance.
Direct Drive
The motor of a direct drive garage door opener works as a trolley, meaning the motor runs along the rail. Since there are very few parts in these openers, they don’t make noise and make the least amount of vibration. They are perfect for all those who prefer discrete entries and exits.
Top Features
When it comes to features, the essential ones you should look out for are:
Controls
Garage door openers come with a keypad that can be placed outside the garage door so that you can enter a code on the keypad and access it. Others come with a wall-mount button inside the garage or a remote control device for your car. These help with easier access from all points.
Battery Backup
If there is a power outage and you need to get in the garage, some garage doors feature a battery backup that allows you to still use the opener and let you enter the garage. You will have to check this feature because not all garage door openers have it.
Horsepower
Horsepower or HP is the power that describes the garage door opener’s motor. The greater horsepower, the more quickly your door will open and close. Greater horsepower also means that it can lift up wider and heavier doors. The most common garage door openers for residential properties are HP ½ and 1.
Security Lights
The new models of garage door openers feature two bright light bulbs and motion light activation. This helps in handling the device, as well as knowing what is where in the garage.
Smartphone Control
These new models of garage door openers also let you connect your opener with your wifi connection. This means that you can easily open and close the garage door with your smartphone through an app. These apps also alert you about the unlocked door if left open for a long time. There are also models that connect to a Smart Home system. If you have one of those, you can access all your appliances on one single system.
Security Code
Garage door openers these days come with a security code so that you can open the door without using the button inside your car or on the remote. The encryption or rolling code technology allows for the complete safety of your house.
AutoClose
An automatic close is an option where you set up your garage door to a system where the door closes automatically after a period of time. This is particularly helpful for people who forget to close their doors when backing their cars out.
Best Garage Door Opener FAQs
Q: What size garage door opener is best?
A: The answer to this question would mainly depend on the size and type of your door. Most openers work with all kinds of doors, but if your door is 8 feet or longer, you would need an opener with a rail long enough for height adjustment. Similarly, if your door is too wide or heavier than usual, you will need an opener with high horsepower.
Q: Is it possible to open a garage door manually when you have an opener installed?
A: Yes, it is very much possible. Most garage door openers come with a manual cable that helps in opening the door without the opener. Some openers come with small keys that release doors.
Q: How to program a garage door opener?
A: All garage door openers come with a manual guide that you can read for assistance. There will be an option to pair the remote with the opener. Also present will be an activate light that would show you whether the program has been set correctly or not. You will be able to follow the instructions easily. Just do as the guide tells you.
Q: Why does the door rattle when going up, even with a new door garage opener?
A: This happens because your roller wheels have not been appropriately lubricated. If this still doesn’t work, replace your old steel roller wheels with plastic or nylon wheels that have ball-bearing shafts. Also, check whether the opener was installed correctly at a 90-degree angle to your garage door.