Garage Door Opener Types
If you own a garage door which is being operates manually – Without the assistance of electric garage opener and you got tired of operating the door manually and decided to install a new garage door opener, you probably asked yourself what type of opener you should get, and what are the differences between the different types of garage openers. In our article about garage door openers types we will try and give some information and tips on how to choose a garage opener, which are the leading brands of garage openers, and what type of opener will be the right for you. Although we specialize in garage door services in Manassas and in garage repairs in Prince William County, the information we provide here can help you even if you are located someplace else, and you are wondering: Which garage opener should I get? You might be looking for new garage door opener installation in Manassas VA, or garage door opener installation in Fairfax County, this article will assist you making the right decision when choosing a new garage door opener.
The first question is: How important it is for you to have an opener which will be as quiet as possible. If how noisy the garage door opener is, you should consider installing belt driven garage door opener. The belt drive opener might be a bit more expensive than the chain drive opener, but if you think about it, you will probably using it for more than 20 years, so it is probably worth to invest some more, and enjoy a silent opener. But there are more things to consider, and in this article we will try to explain.
Types Of Garage Openers
We usually deal with 3 types of garage openers which are the most popular between home owners in Manassas.
- 1. Chain Drive Opener.
- 2. Belt Drive Opener
- 3. Screw Drive Opener.
If you already own automatic garage opener, it is probably being operated by one of the 3 types of garage openers we just described. We would like to go over the differences between the 3 types, and how to choose between them. Again, although we are based and service Manassas Virginia area, this article can be useful for any home owner who plan to install a new garage door opener. From garage door in Fairfax VA, to garage door repair in Manassas, you will find our article useful and informative.
The Chain Drive Opener
The chain drive opener is one of the best sellers when it comes to new garage opener installation, and we consider it as one of the strongest openers, reliable, relatively quiet, do not require high maintenance, and can easily work for 25 years and more. The chain drive opener open and close the garage using a steel chain that connected to the opener on one side, and to the rail on the other side, opening and closing the garage door. It doesn’t matter if it is a garage opener in Alexandria, in Manassas, or anywhere else, the chain drive opener will be a wise decision. It is long lasting, and come in different sized so each one can choose the right size for the garage door.
But in case the level of noise the garage opener can create do matter to you, you should consider the next opener on our list, and that is the Belt Drive garage door opener.
Belt Drive Opener
The belt drive garage opener is the quietest opener of the three types we mentioned. Just like the chain drive opener it is strong, reliable and require basic maintenance. With this opener, the steel chain is replaced with a rubber belt which male it extremely quiet, and granted some of the belt drive openers with the title “Whisper” describing how quiet it can be.
You may be asking yourself: So why would home owner would choose the chain drive opener over the belt drive opener, if they are both strong and reliable, but the belt is quitter? We are glad that you asked. First, the belt drive opener cost more than the chain drive opener. We believe that the investment truly worth it, since you get a quiet opener that will work for many years, but some people choose not to invest since the noise level doesn’t bother them, or their garage may be detached from their house.
The second reason –and it may surprise you - is that some home owners do prefer a noisier garage door opener. Some home owners in Manassas prefer to hear and know every time their garage is opening and closing. And since the chain drive opener is noisier, they prefer the chain drive opener. Again this just prove how quite the belt opener can be that even the home owner can’t tell if the door to the garage was just opened.
The Screw Drive Opener
The last type of garage opener we would like to discuss is the belt drive garage door opener. This type of opener used to be much more popular among home owners in Manassas Virginia, and lately we do not see it as much as we used to, and we try to avoid installing it, since today you can find better alternatives and for the same costs. But this type of opener will work best for people who prefer to install the opener by do it yourself, instead of using the services of a garage door installer in Manassas, since it relatively easy to install, and will open and close your garage when you will need it to. So if you are planning on installing the garage door opener by yourself, you might consider purchasing the screw drive garage opener which is considered easier to operate.
Which type of opener is the best?
It really doesn’t matter if you own a garage door in Manassas, or a garage door in Washington DC, what matter is that you will choose the opener that will serve you well, since it is something that you shouldn’t do more than once every 20-25 years (As long as the garage door was properly operated and maintained). The important thing is that you will choose between the chain and the belt drive, and that you will choose a reliable brand, since like everything else in life, quality matter. And if you wonder which brand to choose, you can find the answer in the next paragraph. We like the garage openers made by Liftmaster. They can be little pricey, but worth the investment.
Which brand to choose?
There are many brands and manufactures of garage openers in the market. The most important thing is to choose a high quality garage opener manufacture, so you will get the best opener for your garage. After many years in the industry, we have learned that Lift Master garage openers are the kind that you can trust to keep working for many years, and that will rarely need any service as long as your garage door is in good condition, and as long as it is maintained in time. It doesn’t mean that we do not repair and install other brands of openers like Genie openers, but when we are asked about a good garage door opener, Lift Master will be out first recommendation. Again, we have serviced garage doors with Genie garage openers installed 20 years ago and still working properly, but Lift Master created almost the best garage door opener, easy to maintain, and relatively cheap.
What about safety?
When it comes to safety, there is no question. Every garage opener, whether it is a Lift Master belt drive opener, or a Genie chain drive opener, screw driver motor, residential garage door in Manassas or commercial garage door in Washington, they all must include a safety feature which will stop the closing garage and reverse it in case something is in the way.
Again, this is not an option. This is a federal law which require it, and there is also common sense that should tell you to use a safe garage. If you own an automated garage which is not equipped with safety sensors, you should get them installed ASAP, even if it mean to complexly replace the electric opener.
The safety sensors are there in order to protect you, your family, you pet, your car, or any object which may be at the doors way when it closing. They may also be the reason for many garage issues (Which are relatively easy to repair if the safety sensors are the issue), but the one time that they will protect someone or something from getting hurt by the garage, is enough to make sure they are installed the right way. If your garage is not equipped with safety sensors, we recommend you to contact a garage door supplier in Manassas to install them for you.
Garage Opener & Accessories?
The accessories that come with the garage opener depend on what you need and the way you are planning to use the garage. Here is a list of garage opener accessories, and their description:
Safety Sensors: As we explained earlier, the safety sensors are inseparable part of the garage opener installation, and installing a garage opener without them is both dangerous and illegal.
Remote Control: You can synchronize as many remotes controls as you want to the opener. So the quantity is up to you.
Key Pad: This is a keyless way to open the garage just by using a security passcode that you will determine.
Wall Switch: Installed inside the garage, in a place that will be unreachable for little kids, and that will allow the user to see the door itself when using it.
Battery backup: In case there will be no electricity in the garage, but you would still like to use the door automatically.
Emergency release: If you garage has no access beside the garage door itself, installing the emergency release will allow you to open the garage in case there is no electricity, or if there will be a problem with the opener or the remote control.
MYQ: Today you can control the garage door opener from a smartphone. Yes, this is not a mistake. You can open and close the door from any smartphone. And this is one of the biggest developments in the industry. Many home owners in Manassas choose this option when asking us to supply and install new garage door opener for then.
Garage Door Opener Manassas Virginia
The important thing when considering purchasing a new garage opener in Manassas is to aim for quality. There are different openers for different prices, but when you think that if you will think that purchasing a high quality opener can be something that you will not have to do again in the next 20 years, you can see why it is important to invest in high quality garage door opener. We offer garage openers from all types in North Virginia, and we will gladly assist you making the right decision when planning to purchase a new garage opener.
Some of our garage doors services in Manassas:
