If you’re in the market for a new garage door opener, you might assume your choices are limited. How many different types of garage door openers can there be, right? Actually quite a few. And each varies according to price, function, and loudness. The one that’s right for you depends on what you’re willing to spend, how close your garage door is to living areas, and how much you value peace and quiet.
Here are 5 types of garage door openers explained in detail.
Chain Drive Garage Door Opener
Chain drive garage door openers are by far the most common type on the market today. These are affordable openers that are great if you’re on a budget. Even better, they’re built to last, even if you have a heavy door. The main drawback is they can be noisy. If your garage door is near a living room or a bedroom, you might want to steer clear.
Belt Drive Garage Door Openers
Belt drive garage door openers work similarly to chain driven when it comes to form and function, but are quieter, perfect if you value peace of mind. These openers are a bit more expensive, but if you like to hear yourself think, the higher price is worth every penny.
Screw Drive Garage Door Openers
Like belt driven garage door openers, screw drive openers aren’t very loud, perfect for peace and quiet. But they are really only good for lightweight or single car garage doors. With heavy doors, these openers tend to wear out fast, especially if you use them every day. We recommend regularly lubricating the gears and screw to prevent premature wear.
Wall Mounted Garage Door Openers
Don’t have a lot of overhead space that can accommodate a garage door opener? Wall mounted garage door openers are the perfect choice. Also called jackshaft or direct drive openers, wall mounted openers are positioned to the side, rather than overhead. They work with a system of pulleys and cables to effectively raise and lower the door. These openers are highly durable and relatively quiet, similar to a belt driven opener.
Smart Garage Door Openers
Any of the above garage door openers can be smart, i.e. connected to the Internet, so you can remotely control them with a mobile device. The fact is if you are installing a garage door opener in the 21st century, you really should upgrade to a smart opener. You’ll be alerted if the door is ever left opened. You have complete control.