Types of Garage Door Openers
There are four main types of garage door openers to choose from when searching for a new garage door opener for your residential home or commercial property. Our guide below will highlight key features and things to consider when selecting a garage door opener. Each type of garage door opener listed below considers horsepower, noise level, cost, and which opener is best for your type of garage door.
Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
Belt Drive garage door openers are the most commonly purchased garage door opener for residential homes. The belt drive garage door opener uses a self-lubricating rubber belt reinforced with stainless steel to decrease noise from operational use. Most belt drive openers come with a backup battery if there is a loss of power from the DC-powered motor.
What types of doors?
Collin Overhead Door recommends belt driver garage door openers are for non-insulated or single insulated steel garage doors made of steel or similar material.
Horsepower
The most popular horsepower choices with belt driver garage door openers are 1/2 and 3/4 Horsepower. This type of horsepower is capable to operate most single and double car garage doors.
Cost:
Belt Driver garage door openers cost more than other budget friendlier options, however pay for themselves with the lack of noise from opening and closing the garage door.
Location of Garage in House:
This type of garage door opener is best for attached garages, however, a home with a detached garage can use this type as well. If your home has a bedroom on top or near your attached garage, we recommend this type of garage door opener as it causes less noise disturbance than most openers.
Noise Level:
Belt driver garage door openers are considered to be the quietest garage door opener for homeowners.
Maintenance:
Belt driver garage door openers need regular garage door maintenance due to the lack of noise disturbance and operational ease. Collin Overhead Door offers a variety of maintenance packages that ensure that your garage door doesn’t cause you issues in the future.
Wall Mount Garage Door Opener
Wall Mount Garage door openers are the other most popular type of garage door openers. A wall mount garage door opener is typically installed on the wall or to the ceiling to free up space in your garage. Wall mount garage door openers are also referred to as “jackshaft” openers.
What types of doors?
All types of garage doors. Best for garages that have unique or high ceilings.
Horsepower
Wall Mount garage door openers come in the following horsepowers: 1/2, 3/4, 1, and 1 1/2 Hp.
Cost:
Typically more expensive than belt drive garage door openers.
Location of Garage in House:
Wall Mount garage door openers are very quiet, therefore if the garage is near bedrooms or common living spaces there should not be a noise problem.
Noise Level:
Very quiet and minimizes lower vibrations against the home.
Maintenance:
Similar maintenance to belt drive garage door openers.
Chain Drive Garage Door Opener
If you are looking for the “classic” garage door opener, the chain drive garage door opener is the unit that comes to mind. A chain drive garage door opener uses the trolley or track to operate the garage door connected at the other end.
What types of doors?
Chain drive garage door openers are best used for double insulated, solid wood doors or other heavy materials.
Horsepower
Chain Drive garage door openers come in the following horsepowers: 1/2, 3/4, 1-1/4, 2 & even 3hp.
Cost:
Chain drive garage door openers are the most budget-friendly option when selecting a new garage door opener.
Location of Garage in House:
Best for homes with detached garages or garages that are located away from bedrooms and quiet living spaces. Chain drive garage door openers can still be used for attached garages however the noise is considerably louder than other garage openers.
Noise Level:
Chain Drive garage door openers are considerably louder than previously mentioned belt driver and wall mount garage door openers. Chain drive garage door openers use a steel chain to pull or push the garage door up & down the track
Maintenance:
Chain drive garage door openers require regular maintenance to make adjustments to ensure it continues to operate properly without issues. Typical maintenance associated with
Screw Drive Garage Door Opener
Screw Drive garage door openers are the most powerful of all of the garage opener types. These garage door openers are less popular and brands like Liftmaster have discontinued making new screw drive garage opener models
What types of doors?
Screw drive garage door openers are best used for extremely heavy, double insulated, oversized, or solid wood garage doors.
Horsepower
Screw drive garage door openers come in the following horsepowers: 1/2, 3/4, 1-1/4, & even 2Hp.
Cost:
Screw drive garage door openers are more expensive than belt drive garage door openers.
Location of Garage in House:
Screw drive garage door openers are best in homes where the garage is located away from bedrooms or common living spaces as sound from the garage door opener can cause a disturbance.
Noise Level:
Typically very noisy in comparison to other garage opener types
Maintenance:
Easier to maintain because there are not as many parts in the screw drive garage door opener.
