We rarely think about our garage door opener until something goes wrong. The opener is the most important part of your garage, moving thousands of pounds of weight many times a day, but tends to be an afterthought when home upgrades are considered. An opener that suits your situation can give you ease of mind and smart home technology, and better protect your home. Pick the right opener and it can improve your life.
Why the Opener is Important
The opener along with the springs move the door countless times each year. An old, weak, or outdated opener makes the system less efficient and can cause early wear and irritating noises on the garage door system.
Older openers usually lack the latest safety and security features. Replacing your opener can improve the comfort and security of your home more than you would expect.
The Three Types of Openers
A chain drive opener is a good, reliable and affordable option, but can be rather noisy and are not recommended for garages connected to living space.
A belt drive opener uses a rubber belt and is more quiet than a chain drive opener. Like the chain drive opener, it is a good option for connected garages and is a slightly more expensive option.
Screw drive openers are threaded rod drives and have fewer moving parts. They work well in moderate climates, but can be affected by large temperature swings.
Direct drive openers move the motor itself along the rail, and therefore have very little that can wear out. They are also very quiet.
Purchasing Features
Not all features are essential, but a few are nice to have:
Rolling code: Each time a remote control is used to open the door, the code changes. This makes it impossible for a thief to intercept and duplicate the signal.
Battery backup: You are never locked out or trapped in your garage.
Soft start/stop: The door eases into and out of the open position, reducing wear and noise.
App control: Remotely open or close the door.
Parking light: Lights the garage when the door is open.
Safety sensors: Reverses the door if something is in its path.
Alerts/sensors: Reminders are sent if a door is left open.
Match the Opener to the Door
An opener has to be matched to the weight and size of the door. A motor for a lightweight aluminum door will not work for a heavier, insulated door. A double-width door and a tall opening require more power. Ask a professional to check the balance of your springs first because a door with springs that are out of balance overworks the best motor.
When you are ready to buy or install a new garage door opener, find a trusted garage door company. They will recommend the right opener for your door and safely install it. A properly installed opener reduces how loud it is and increases its lifespan, so it is just as important to consider the installation as it is to consider the product.
Take the Whole System into Account
One part of the system is only one part of the overall picture. You need to consider the door, springs and tracks as well. If you are replacing the door at the same time you are replacing the opener, it helps to understand who manufactures the door. A quality garage door manufacturer tests its products, publishes exact specifications and supports its doors with parts and warranties for several years. That way the customer always has the right parts to do the repairs and keeps the door operating like it was originally designed.
Safety Checks You Can Do Yourself
Testing your garage door opener once a month can spot problems before they turn into bigger issues.
To test auto-reverse, place a rolled-up towel or a small piece of wood on the floor and close the door. It should automatically reverse when it makes contact.
To check the door sensors, close the door and hold an object in front of the photo eyes. The door should reverse.
To test the manual release, disconnect the garage door opener and move the door by hand. It should open smoothly and stop about halfway.
Garage door openers should be serviced by a professional if you have issues or hear grinding, scraping, or banging when the door operates.
Springs and cables are very dangerous and should always be adjusted by a professional.
Maintenance
You should lubricate the springs and hinges on the garage door twice a year. Clean the door tracks and keep them clear of debris. Replace the batteries in the garage door opener and remote once a year and reprogram the code if you no longer need the remote or have given the code to someone else.
Final Thoughts
When you are ready to buy a new garage door opener, consider the drive type that is compatible with your garage, and pay for added features that you are going to use. Make sure the opener is compatible with your garage door.
With a professional installation and some regular maintenance, the garage door opener should serve your family reliably for over 10 years.