A garage door opener provides you with a convenient way to get into the garage. You won’t have to worry about trying to unlock the door and push it up manually when it’s raining outside. It’s also beneficial at night since you can get into the garage and close the door before getting out of your vehicle. Our professional installation team at BDK Door Company is here to ensure you have a garage door and opener that meet your needs.
Understand Power Requirements
First, you must determine what power requirements you need for the garage door opener. The weight of the garage door and its size play a role in what size rating you need. Most garage doors, including sectional two-car garage doors, require a one-half HP motor. Some specialty doors, such as wooden or single-section doors, may need three-fourths HP motors.
It’s highly unlikely that any garage door will ever need anything more powerful than three-fourths HP. Once you find out what size motor your garage door opener needs, you’ll narrow down the choices considerably.
Opt for a Single Rail
Another point to remember when you’re looking at garage door openers is the rail. This is the track that’s installed from the door to the garage door control unit. There are two distinct types of rails. One is a single rail, which means only one solid track spans the entire length. The alternative to this is a sectioned track, which includes multiple attached pieces.
The single rail system is preferred because it’s more durable and sturdy. The sectioned track tends to be too flimsy for prolonged, regular use.
Consider the Type of Drive
The type of drive the garage door opener uses determines the noise level when it’s being used. These also have a direct impact on the cost of the unit. There are four primary types of garage door opener drives.
Belt Drive
The belt drive is one that’s smooth and quiet because a belt raises and lowers the door, but it’s not the most economical option. This is an ideal option if you have a living room or bedroom near the garage so those won’t be disturbed by the noise. They don’t have many moving components, so they’re among the easiest to maintain and repair.
Chain Drive
A chain drive uses a metal chain to pull and lower the door. This is a dependable and cost-effective option, but it’s noise. The noise makes this an option that’s not suitable if there are living spaces, particularly bedrooms above or on the sides of the garage.
Direct Drive
The direct drive is a space-saving design, but it’s one that’s not readily available. The motor is attached to the door, moving it up and down the track. These are typically quiet and don’t require much maintenance.
Screw Drive
A screw drive is the most costly of the garage door opener types, but it’s also one of the quietest and most dependable. A large rod screws into the garage door coupling and moves the door up and down as the screw turns.
Determine Necessary Safety Features
Modern garage doors have many safety features for you to consider. Standard on most garage door openers is a sensor that prevents the door from closing onto anything, including animals, pets, and objects. Other safety features to consider include:
Automatic Closing
Garage door openers with an automatic closing feature mean you never have to wonder if you left the door open or not. If it remains open, you can program these to close the garage door after a certain amount of time.
Battery Backup
A battery backup prevents you from having a stuck garage door if your home loses power. You just have to remember to check the battery unless you have a solar-powered battery backup.
Smart Device or Vehicle Compatible
Certain garage door openers have apps that you can download on your phone so you only need your phone to open the garage door. Some vehicles have built-in garage door openers. An opener with this function wouldn’t require you to have a secondary opening device. Instead, you’ll be able to use the program in your vehicle.
Professional Garage Door Opener Installation and Repair
Having a properly working garage door and opener is critical for the safety of your property. Our professional team at BDK Door Company can provide you with an inspection and recommend the best solution for meeting your garage door needs. We offer garage door installation, repair, and maintenance for both residential and commercial buildings in Montgomery, IL, and the surrounding areas. Simply give us a call to schedule an appointment.
