Types of Garage Door Openers | On Track Garage Doors

While a garage door opener facilitates the smooth operation of your garage door, it’s often one of the most overlooked parts of your door. And if your garage door opener stops working, you could end up with cars and heavy equipment trapped in or locked out of the garage, throwing your whole routine out of order.

To ensure the continued functioning of your home, you need to have the right garage door opener installed on your door.

That’s why it’s worth taking the time to learn about the different types of garage door openers, so you can choose the most suitable one for your garage door.

In this article, we look at the different types of garage door openers out there that you can choose from:

Chain Drive Garage Door Openers

Although the oldest technology for garage door openers, chain drives are some of the most common garage door openers since they fit nearly all widths and heights of garage doors. They also stand out for their superior lifting, making them ideal for heavier garage doors. As robust and reliable garage door openers, chain drives can efficiently handle frequently used garage doors in your home.

As the name suggests, chain drives operate using a chain that resembles the one found on a bicycle. When you close your garage door, the chain stretches while the trolley moves down. And when you close the door, the chain relaxes, and the trolley moves up. In addition, chain drives an incredibly durable construction that’s proven and tested for years. This means they are less prone to damage or breaking even after years of use. However, they require regular maintenance to prevent the chain from rusting and increase their lifespan.

Besides that, chain drives are some of the most affordable garage door openers in the market, making them ideal if you’re working on a constrained budget. While this type of garage door opener isn’t the fanciest out there, it gets the job done pretty well. Newer models of chain drives come equipped with innovative features and technologies such as a soft start and stop technology, which helps reduce noise levels dramatically.

Belt Drive Garage Door Openers

Unlike chain drives, belt drive garage door openers use a wide belt to operate and have fewer moving parts. This makes them less susceptible to breaking down, meaning they require less maintenance. This way, you can save a lot of money on repairs and replacements. Another impressive thing about this type of garage door opener is that it makes less noise during operation, making it an excellent option for your attached gate since it won’t disturb you with vibrations and rattles.

Belt drives are a newer technology than chain drives and usually operate using a belt that connects the different mechanisms and parts. The belt can either be made of polyurethane for fiberglass, steel-reinforced rubber, or rubber. They usually come equipped with a switch that you use to activate the belt, pushing the trolley down a track to close the door or pulling it up a track to open your garage door. They have a great lifting capacity, making them ideal for light and heavy doors. They also work great with one-piece and multi-panel garage doors.

Screw Drive Garage Door Opener

If you are looking for a more advanced garage door opener than a chain drive or belt drive, another great option is a screw drive. One of the standout features of this type of garage door opener is that it produces less noise than a chain drive and is designed with lesser moving parts than a belt drive. It also features a simple design with a threaded metal rod that functions like a screw when it closes and opens your garage door.

On top of that, screw drives can lift heavier doors than belt drives and are relatively affordable. They also open your door faster than chain drives and won’t disturb you and your family while asleep since they’re noiseless. You may also want to consider this type of garage door if you have limited space in your garage. While these openers have a lesser chance of breaking, they require regular maintenance and lubrication to keep them working efficiently.

Jackshaft Drive Garage Door Opener

Jackshaft drives are more modern garage door openers than the previous three openers on our list. These garage door openers are mostly ideal for high lift, full vertical lift, and standard lift garage doors. They feature a unique, modern design that makes them incredibly quiet, so you can install them even if your garage is near living spaces.

Unlike the other openers, jackshaft drives are usually wall-mounted on the side of your garage door against the overhead. Installing this type of garage door opener in your garage saves you plenty of vertical space. They also feature the latest technology with the newest versions allowing you to connect them to your smartphone, so you can open and close your garage door wirelessly from any location. Some even come equipped with the latest security upgrades like sensors and safety reversal systems for added security and convenience. However, they are more expensive than chain drives, belt drives, and screw drive garage door openers.

Conclusion

As you’ve seen, there are many different types of garage door openers out there that you can choose from depending on your unique needs. While there are many models available on the market, not all will be great for you.

So, it’s crucial that you consider factors like noise levels, lifting capacity, and size of the garage door opener before purchasing one. This will help ensure you buy one that serves you best.

Also, if you already have a garage door opener but want to control it using your phone, consider getting a smart garage door opener kit. This will enable you to operate your garage door from your phone remotely, so you don’t have to replace your current garage door.

Once you find the best garage door opener, it’s always best to have it installed by a professional installation company.

Looking for a professional and reliable garage door company in Westchester, NY, to help install your new garage door opener or make your current opener smart? Look no further, On Track Garage Doors has more than 35 years of experience installing, repairing and replacing garage doors in Westchester County and surrounding areas.