When buying a new garage door opener, there are more things to consider than price alone. You want to make sure you are buying the opener that not only goes best with your garage but goes best with your life. Here are some tips and considerations to keep in mind when looking for garage door openers.
Drivers, Start Your Engines!
What makes your garage door opener work is what is known as a drive, or a belt-drive. There are 3 types of drives to choose from:
1)Chain: Tried and true, these metallic drives are the most common and least expensive, but end to make the most noise when raising or lowering your garage door along its tracks. These can be purchased for an average of $162.
2)Belt: a fast-growing quiet option with the same idea as the chain, these rubber belt drives are just as strong as their metal counterparts. Average cost for a belt drive is around $217.
3)Screw: the “middle-man” option of the 3, these drives have very few parts meaning less maintenance and easy self-installation. Approximate price to expect would be around $200.
When choosing the drive for you, take some of the following thoughts into consideration:
If you having a living space like this one above your garage, you might consider the belt drive. Unless you like the security of knowing when the door is opening and closing.
Power Lifting
Once you know your drive, you need to know the power level of the motor to lift your garage door. When choosing a motor without knowing the specific amount of horsepower required to lift your garage door’s weight, the rule of thumb is bigger is better. The larger, and more powerful the motor, the more successful use you will get from your garage opener. For most doors, it is recommended that a ½ horsepower motor is purchased. Only go less if you know for a fact that your garage door is particularly lightweight. Be on the safe side and get ¾ horsepower motor for a heavier decorative door, like a carriage door.
Put the right amount of power in your motor to lift that garage door!
Controlling Remotely
It’s safe to assume your garage door opener is coming to you with at least one remote control, probably two. There can be several varieties in what that remote control looks like and can accomplish. Some just have one button to open and close, some might have two buttons to operate multiple doors, some might even offer smaller remotes to be more portable. There are also the wall mounted controls and keypads that have the potential for cool tricks like operating lights or delayed closings. If certain features like these are important to you and your family, be sure to check out what kind of remote control options come with the garage door openers you favor.
Extra Goodies
There are some other great features that can come along with a garage door opener that might sway your decision to one brand or another when in the marketplace. Take into account options like lights, backup batteries or warranties. These items might help narrow down your choices if you are having trouble making a final decision.
Think of the extras as the finishing touches to the delicious cake that is your new garage door opener!
Craving more helpful garage insights? Contact us today!
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