Garage door opener basics
1,500 times. 1,500. That is how many times, on average, your garage door opens and closes every year. And it opens and closes fast – seven inches per second to be exact. As you might imagine, this kind of heavy usage creates a maintenance issue that your garage door design, upkeep, repair, and replacement all need to address if you are not to find yourself stuck high and dry. So, are you ready to dive into the nuts and bolts of the engine that enables your car to get in and out of your garage? Let’s go!
A motor moves it
The first thing to realize is that every type of garage door opener is made up of two main components – a motor that moves a trolley that is, in turn, connected to your garage door.
Chains, belts and screws oh my!
Each garage door type utilizes a different drive – you’ve got chain drives, belt drives, screw/threaded parts drives or direct drives.
The chain drives are the least expensive – but it isn’t quiet! Unless your garage is a goodly distance away from your (and your neighbor’s…) residence, you may want to consider another option.
Belt drives in contrast, rely on smooth rubber belts to slide the trolley. It’s a bit more pricy – but far quieter and relatively low maintenance (since there are far fewer moving parts). Screw drives, in which a rotating threaded steel rod is responsible for lifting the trolley, offer much the same advantage as a belt drive – quieter and lower maintenance than the chain drive.
However, the reigning champion of all drives is the direct drive – in this type, it is the motor itself moving the trolley. No belt, chain or threaded piece transmission system is involved and hence there are many fewer moving parts, a smooth, quiet operation – and very, very little maintenance. Of course, these advantages are reflected in the price, but you will usually save money over time.
Garage door opener
All the bits and pieces
Of course, there is more to choosing a garage door opener than its type. You need to consider the horsepower of the motor versus the weight of your door, additional features (manual release, security lights, rail segments, keychain remotes, home automation systems (“Alexa, open garage door”), Wi-fi integration, vehicle compatibility, auto-close, soft-activation motors, battery backup, LED lights, rail extension) and safety features (motion sensors, locks, rolling code technology, force guard control, vacation setting).
The possibilities can seem bewildering. That reason is cause alone to hire a professional to install your garage door opener, as a reputable firm will be able to advise you on the options that are best for your home. But even if you have your heart fixed on a particular garage door opener configuration, you should not embark on the huge undertaking of installing the garage door opener without a solid knowledge of what is involved. Even a seemingly minor error can result in a drastic shortening of the garage door opener’s lifetime – and you don’t want to replace your expensive brand-new contraption after only a few months, do you? Better to play it safe. Better to get a professional.
Contact us today to hear about our garage door installation and maintenance plan options in Ohio.
