Having a garage door opener is something that every homeowner should consider. They will help make your garage door more secure, ensuring that only the right people can get in through it. Plus, they make it easier to drive your car in and out. There are many different models out there, so how do you ensure that you’re picking the right one? Here’s how to select the right modern garage door opener.
Garage Door Opener Types
There are many different garage door opener types, and they all have their benefits. The one you choose will depend on your personal needs. Here are some examples.
Chain Drive
These garage door openers use a metal chain to pull the garage door open. They’re a popular choice as they’re very cost-effective. However, they are also the noisiest option for you. If your garage isn’t near the rest of the house or anyone else’s house, then they may be a good option for your home.
Belt Drive
These work similarly to the chain drive, except they use a belt in place of the chain. They’re often quieter to use as a result. If you have a bedroom that sits above the garage, then this may be the best option for you. However, they aren’t capable of lifting heavier doors.
Screw Drive Opener
These openers are different, as they use a threaded steel rod that rotates to open the door. It’s a good option if you want something with less maintenance, as they have fewer moving parts. However, you will find that these do create a lot of noise.
Jackshaft Drive Opener
These are an option that is becoming very popular right now. The opener is installed on the side of the door and uses a motor to drive pulleys that open the door. They’re a good option for larger garage doors, as well as garages with less overhead room. These are the most expensive type out there, so you’ll need to consider if the cost is worth it to you in the long run.
These are just a few options, but as you can see, there are plenty of them available to you. You can talk with your local garage door fitter to see which one would be right for you.
Garage Door Opener Horsepower
The horsepower of your garage door opener is vital. It needs to have enough power to open your garage door, so pay attention to this when you’re shopping around. The amount of horsepower you need will depend on the size of the garage door.
For example, a standard double car garage door will need ½ horsepower motor, while a heavier garage door opener will need to be ¾ horsepower. These are the most typical models you’ll see when looking into residential garage door openers.
Garage Door Opener Remotes And Keypads
You’ll also need to think about the remotes you’ll want with your garage door opener. There are many different options available to you, so you’ll want to find the one that works best for you. For example, you should get remotes and a wall mount with your opener. Some models will come with openers built into your car. Additionally, your wall mount can come with extra features, such as scheduling and timer functionalities.
You’ll also have the option to add a keypad to your garage door opener. These can be useful if you want to give access to people who don’t live in the home or a way in if you have the code but not keys to the house. You can also decide whether you want to add a keypad to your opener, giving you more options for opening it.
Security Features On Your Garage Door Opener
All good modern garage door openers should come with several different security features. In the past, a garage door opener would be the weak point in your home’s defense, but now they’re more secure than ever before. The most important change has been the use of rolling codes. Every time the remote is used, a new code is sent to the opener. That makes it impossible for a potential burglar to use the same code to get in or even for another home’s remote to open your door by accident.
Furthermore, some models will have extra security features. These can include locking mechanisms that monitor for forced opening and lock down the door if this happens.
Safety Features For Your Garage Door Opener
Any good garage door opener will need safety measures to keep you safe. Any good modern system should have security sensors, or ‘photo eyes,’ installed at the bottom of the door. These shoot out a beam of light, and if that beam breaks, the system will assume that something is in the way of the door. In this case, it will then engage the auto-reverse system so the garage door can’t close. There should also be an emergency release that you can use if you’re working on the door so that the opener won’t engage by accident.
You can have additional features added to the door if you’d like. For example, you can add an alert that sounds when the door is about to close.
Having Your Modern Garage Door Opener Installed
Now that you know what kind of garage door opener you want installed, you’ll want to talk to a garage door installer to help. That’s important, as they will be able to handle the many moving parts and install everything correctly. It’ll save you a lot of hassle too, so look up your local garage door installers to see who can help you.
There’s a lot to look for when you want a new garage door opener installed. However, there are plenty of tips here so you can pick a model that works best for your own needs. Talk to an installer today to get started with your new opener.