Types of Garage Door Opener Models

Do you need to suddenly change your garage door opener because your existing one isn’t working properly? Often brand new installations are more practical and cost effective than a repair. Getting a new garage door opener can help ease the stress of a noisily grinding malfunctioning older garage door opener. Here’s a guide, authored by the experts at Garage Door Repair Chicago, to what’s important to know before buying a brand new garage door opener.

What types of openers are there?

Chain Drive Openers

  • These are more popular and cheaper than belt drives
  • Many of these door openers are fit with a chain and steel cable combo. Make sure not to get this, and buy a system that works with a full chain.

 

Belt Drive Openers

  • These are quieter than chain drive openers
  • The belt is made from rubber which is reinforced with tire-like metal wires
  • This is a great choice if you have a living space like a bedroom or living room on top of the garage.

 

Jackshaft Openers

  • These openers sit besides, rather than over doors
  • This is a practical choice in situations where your garage ceiling is higher than the garage door
  • This is smart for any garages with cathedral style or sloped roofing
  • This type of garage door opener is required to operate with a torsion spring system since the door opener is attached to the spring shaft
  • This type of garage door opener is more expensive than belt or chain drive openers

 

What sizes of garage door opener motors are available?

You can choose between a ½ or ¾ HP garage door opener motor.

  • Electrical door openers replace manual opening, but it should still be easy to open the door with one hand with any opening system.
  • The counterweight system of the torsion or extension springs helps lift the door, not just the motor
  • Any well balanced garage door has a deadweight between 10 and 15 pounds when it’s stationarily 4 feet above the floor
  • The door opener should be able to lift that amount of weight- meaning that we highly favor the use of the stronger ½ HP door opener motors.

 

AC and DC motors

Alternating Current (AC)

  • This opener motor heats up slowly, gradually increases up to a normal speed, and then slows down before fully stopping.
  • This type of motor measures power in newtons, rather than HP. 800 & 900 N (newtons) are the equal to ½ or ¾ HP.

 

Direct Current (DC)

  • DC motors have a set, normally operating speed.
  • These motors can be purchased in ⅓, ½, or ¾ HP.
  • Backup batteries can be used in with DC motors, however they can’t be used with AC motors.

 

More to know

  • Since about the mid-1990s, garage door opening technology has made great leaps and bounds. LiftMaster has created a rolling code system that works with their remotes, which changes it’s changing signal every time you use the remote – making it nearly impossible for someone to hijack your signal in order to improperly access your garage.
  • Liftmaster MyQ technology, incepted in 2013, allows for garage door openers to be controlled through a smartphone & tablet app, as well as a computer program – and can be used from anywhere in the world, even when you’re not at home!
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