Before Buying a Garage Door Opener

10/13/2013 Back To Blog

When you are making the decision to install a new garage door or to replace an existing one, there are some things to consider. There are several players in the market and, what many may not know is there are a multitude of choices for homeowners. One of the things to consider is the actual machine that will open the door, the garage door opener. Here are some things you may want to think about before purchasing.

How Much Power

A ½-horsepower motor is usually installed for most two-car garages. If you only have one stall, you might use a motor with less power. Likewise, for heavier doors, you will need a unit that has more power.

What Type of Drive

There are three types of drives: belt, chain, and screw. Belt-driven openers use a rubber belt and are the quietest. Chain-driven models are the oldest and are still popular. When it comes to noise level, they can be loud. Right between these two are screw-driven models which use less moving parts and require less maintenance.

Keyles​s Pad Entry

Just about every model on the market comes with keyless pad entry. This is mounted somewhere just outside of the garage door. You can always access your home by punching in the proper code. The latest models on the market are using fingerprint identification.

Warranty

There are many models available today that come with lifetime warranties for the unit’s motor. These warranties will vary by manufacturer and even from model to model. Parts such as chains and belts usually come with shorter warranty periods. Motors will normally have at least a 10-year coverage period.

Safety

Since the 1990s, manufacturers of openers have included a safety feature that will reverse a closing door when an object passes underneath it. This feature can save damage to vehicles, people, pets, and other property.