As is the case for most things in life,garage door openers aren’t meant to last forever. Like garage doors, you can repair them only so often until they completely wear out. Most openers will need replacing before you install a new garage door. And considering how many times we use a garage door opener — say 3 to 4 times a day, easy — it’s understandable they should wear out eventually. In most cases, garage door openers can be repaired. But the day will come when that’s not the case — or the cost to repair the garage door opener simply won’t be worth the hassle. Is it time to consider installing a new opener? Here are 5 reasons it might be a good idea.
Home & Family Safety & Security
If your garage is attached to the house, the garage is the biggest entryway to your residenceand the one that’s likely the most used. You park your vehicle in your garage, which outside of your home is probably the most valuable possession you own. Your garage is also likely filled with thousands of dollars in sports gear, lawn equipment, and other valuables. Your garage is a huge access point and contains most of your loot.
That’s why it’s so important to have a garage door in good repair. You want your garage door to open and close correctly. And your garage door opener is useless if it’s showing signs of struggle or aging . Keeping your garage door opener in great repair and updated is important to your family and home’s safety and security. Installing a new opener is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Keeping Out Intruders
How old is your garage door opener? If it’s older than 1993 it may not have the latest advancements in security features. Your remote may be programmed using DIP switches, which are set to a -, +, or 0 position. These are easily hackable — meaning thieves could open your garage door at any time and access your home on a whim. Newly installed garage door openers bring improved security — highly critical in this digitally advanced age.
So yes, it’s important your garage door opener is in great shape— but you also need the technology to be up to date.
In 1996, garage door companies began issuing openers that use the Security + 2.0 system, which offers more than a billion codes. These are virtually impossible to hack and have become the standard for new installations around the country.
Smarter Technology
Recent advancements in technology alone make a garage door opener upgrade worth the investment. Smart garage door technology makes it possible to view, open and close your garage door remotely from any smart phone or computer. This is key for package delivery, home security, and if you ever forget to close your garage door.
If you don’t yet have a smart garage door opener, it may be time to step into the 21st century. The convenience alone is worth the installation of a smart garage door opener. Plus, newer smart garage door openers are a walk in the park to install thanks to nifty video tutorials and how-to guides.
Reduce Garage Door Noise
If you have a noisy garage door, it probably has repair issues. Before springing for an entirely new door, consider inspecting what’s causing the annoying sound. You might realize that the garage door opener is the culprit here. . Many openers, especially older ones, have metal chains that look similar to bicycle chains. These can be very loud. You could consider upgrading to a rubber belt garage door opener, which operates much more quietly. This can be key if your garage door is near a living area such as a living room or bedroom. It’s also less likely to bug the neighbors, which is always a bonus.
Battery Backup for Your Garage Door Opener
If you don’t have it already, you might consider installing a garage door opener with battery backup. In fact, all newly installed garage door openers in California are required to have battery backup. But it’s a good idea to have regardless. This way you always have access to your door in the event of natural disasters like wildfires. You also don’t lose the convenience of your opener if the power goes out.Though you could install a new garage door opener that features battery backup, you can also add battery backup to any existing garage door opener. If you’re in search of new garage door openers, give us a call to get some recommendations. We’re always happy to show you what our customers are enjoying and we’ll gladly install it for you.