Get to Know Your Garage Door Opener Options
At Boulder Garage Door, we like to assist our customers any way we can, from quality installations to helpful information. Today, we’d like to help you get to know your garage door opener options. Each type of garage door opener has its own advantages, and while there is no clear winner overall, there is usually one that works best for your particular situation and goals.
There are three types of garage door openers: chain, belt and screw drives. The differences among these three categories boil down to variables like speed and noise factor. Let’s take a look at each type to help you determine which is right for you.
Chain Drive Openers
Chain drive garage door openers have been around the longest and are considered the classic garage door opener type. However, they are still one of the most common styles found in homes today--probably partially since it’s a very economical option. The unit works by using a chain (similar to the idea of a bicycle) to push a trolley, which pushes the J-arm which causes the door to move along a track.
Because of the way these openers are designed, they tend to be noisier unit with their vibrations and metal-to-metal noises. This can be an advantage or a disadvantage. Many people prefer their garage door to be as quiet as possible, particularly in homes with attached garages or that are close to their neighbors, while others like that a bit of noise gives a warning that someone is trying to enter the home.
Belt Drive Openers
Belt drive openers basically work the same as chain drive openers, with the exception that instead of using a chain, it uses a durable belt made of fiberglass, steel-reinforced rubber or polyurethane. Because of this belt, much of the racket and metal-to-metal noises of chain belt drives are fully eliminated. They tend to cost a bit more than chain drive units, but the reduction in noise is worth the added expense. Belt drive garage door openers are also easier to install, easier to maintain and open the garage door faster (which is great if you’re trying to escape hail or bad weather).
Screw Drive Openers
Screw drive openers work by using a trolley on a threaded steel rod to rotate the motor and cause the door to move up and down. It does not make use of the pushing and pulling motion that the other two drives use but rather the rotation of the giant “screw.”
The design is very simple, and many people prefer it because with less moving parts it is easier to maintain. However, they are not recommended for use in areas where there are significant temperature changes as they don’t do well with these changes. These types of drives are typically the most expensive option but sometimes pay themselves off in the long run with lower maintenance costs.
Of course, this information is just to help you get to know your garage door opener options. To answer any further questions and help you decide which unit is right for you, you can always talk to one of our experts here at Boulder Garage Door. We are always happy to help our customers in any way that we can, including providing quality garage doors and openers along with professional installation.
