Your garage door opener gets a lot of use. If you’re like many homeowners, your garage is your primary entry and exit point for your house, rather than the front door. If several people live in your home, the door may open and close many times a day as people come and go to and from school, work, and other places.
Having a good garage door opener in good working order is important for your day to run smoothly, and that means you’ll need to replace your garage door opener from time to time. Take a look at a few important tips that will help you with your garage door opener replacement.
Know When to Replace Your Garage Door Opener
The first thing you need to do is understand when it’s time to replace your garage door opener. Garage door openers can last for a long time, and you can extend the life of your opener by maintaining it regularly. You don’t necessarily have to replace the garage door opener just because it makes noise or because it’s a few years old. Some lubrication might be enough to stop the noise, and if it’s working well for you, age might not be a factor.
However, if your garage door remains too noisy even after lubrication, or if your opener is so old that it lacks modern safety features, like a sensor that causes the door to stop lowering if a pet or child steps underneath it, then you should consider investing in a new opener. If your garage door opener stops working, it’s worth comparing the cost of repairing it versus replacing it. If repairing it will be expensive and may not get you much more time, then replacing your old opener for a new one with a warranty might be the more fiscally responsible move in the long run. Of course, you may choose to replace your opener just because you’re interested in some of the features available on newer models.
Know What Features to Look For
The latest models of garage door openers have a number of features that may be appealing to you. Do you frequently lose your garage door opener remote? You may like an opener that can be operated from an app on your smartphone. Do you find yourself worrying about whether you closed the garage door behind you while you’re at work? You may like an opener that can be monitored remotely, that allows you to open and close the garage door even if you’re not home yet.
There are garage door openers that come equipped with a laser light that will project a red dot onto your dash to help you park. If you have a small garage and find that getting your car in is a tight squeeze, or if you have a driver-in-training in your house, this may be a useful feature. Another helpful feature is a battery backup so that you can still easily open and close your garage door even if your power goes out.
Know Whether You Can Replace the Opener Yourself
Once you’ve chosen a new garage door opener, should you install it yourself or hire a professional? The answer depends greatly on your preferences and abilities. You should know that if you choose to do the installation yourself, you’ll need a variety of tools, including wire strippers, a drill, a step ladder, a level, crescent wrenches in several sizes, and a few screwdrivers.
You’ll also need the ability to lift heavy objects over your head, the patience to follow complex instructions, and a few free hours. If you don’t have all of those things, you’re better off having a professional do the installation. The professionals at the store where you purchase your garage door opener likely offer installation services or can recommend an installer.
A good garage door opener is an important feature of a functional garage. For more garage renovation and design ideas, contact us for a free design consultation and estimate.
