The Three Main Types of Garage Door Openers

If you're looking to get a new garage door opener, there are a lot of things you'll want to take into consideration. The size and weight of your door, for example, will determine the horsepower output your opener will need to be able to produce. Other things such as noise-level and reliability, or the frequency of maintenance it will require, also need to be factored in. There is a great selection of models for you to choose from, but aside from brand design and various safety and security features, the variety comes down to three main types:

1. The Screw-Drive Models

   Openers of this type use a trolley and a threaded steel rod to move the door. They require minimal maintenance, if any, as they are comprised of just a handful of moving pieces, and can be relatively quiet. Granted, they're not as quiet as the belt-drive models, but they are usually more affordable.

2. The Belt-Drive Models

   These types of openers are extremely quiet and while they do require some maintenance to ensure their longevity, much less so than the chain-drive models. They can be a little more expensive, but are well-worth it for their efficiency and silent operation. If your garage is attached to a bedroom, or if your neighbors' houses are very close to yours, you may want to consider getting an opener of this type.

3. The Chain-Drive Models

   These are the most common type of garage door opener, as they are the cheapest. They're similar to the belt-drive models, only they – as the name suggests – use a chain instead of a belt. They do require routine maintenance in order to perform optimally, but if noise isn't a factor, but money is, you'll want to consider buying one of these openers.

"A Hammer is still a Hammer"

By that we mean – an opener is still an opener, i.e. no matter how sophisticated of a model you end up getting, it still needs to do one particular thing, and that is: to open and close your door. As is the case with every type of device that combines electric components with mechanical ones, some routine maintenance is required in order to ensure efficiency. Be sure to contact our experts at Garage Door Repair Berwyn to get professional advice and assistance.