Garage Door Openers

There are some modern day conveniences that are easy to take for granted, that is until they break down. A garage door opener is one such product. If yours goes out on you, you will likely be in a hurry to replace it. That is a good idea as an unopenable garage door can be a major handicap. But be sure not to rush through your decision making process without weighing all of the options that come with buying a new garage door opener. Since a federal mandate was put in place in 1993, all of today’s garage-door opener models include sensors to prevent the door from striking someone or something in the door’s path. Another standard safety feature is automatic reverse in case a collision does occur.

If you have an older system without these features, it is probably a good idea to start thinking about replacing it; especially if you have children in your household.

Here are some garage-door opener options and how to make the right choice for your garage:

Type of Drive. Garage door openers come with three different types of drive: chain, belt and screw.
• Chain-drive openers are the oldest style, and they continue to be very popular and a good value. However, they can be noisy and may not be a good choice if the garage is under a bedroom or adjacent to a room where quiet is necessary. Conversely, some people appreciate hearing the sound of the door opening as a signal that someone is home.
• Belt-drive openers are identical to chain-drive openers except that they operate with a rubber belt. They are the quietest type of garage door opener, and they tend to cost a bit more than the others.
• Midway in cost and noisiness are screw-drive openers. There a very few moving parts on these units, and they require little maintenance. By a slim margin, they are probably the easiest to install for a DIYer.

Power: A standard two-car garage door usually works best with a 1/2-horsepower garage door opener. You could possibly use a smaller motor on a one-car garage with a light door. For heavy doors, such as carriage doors, a 3/4-horsepower model is a better choice. When in doubt, go with more power, since the price difference is not very significant.

Door Size: The standard door garage is 7-feet tall, and the standard garage door opener will accommodate doors up to 7 ½ feet tall. Taller doors will require an extension kit.

Safety Features: All garage door openers sold since 1993 have been required to have a safety mechanism that stops and reverses a closing door when some object passes beneath it (thereby blocking a beam of light across the opening). This reversing mechanism can save damage to cars, people and pets, and it should be maintained and tested regularly.

Security Features: Make sure to buy a garage door opener with a rolling code feature. This has become a pretty common feature, and for good reason. It makes it much harder for a potential burglar to access the code that will open the door.

Lights: This is a feature that is easy to overlook, but remember that the garage door opener often functions as the primary, if not only, light in the garage. Standard units can handle two 60-watt bulbs, but you may want to consider one that can handle two 100-watt bulbs if there are no other light source.

Battery Backup: Battery backup is not a standard feature, but it is available on some models. When your electrical power is knocked out, the backup kicks in and allows you to use the garage door opener. Without it you could find yourself locked out of your house.

Keyless Entry Pad: A keyless entry pad can be mounted just outside the garage door. When the proper code is entered, the door will open. A handy feature if you lock yourself out or if you want the ability to let yourself in without having to carry a key. Some newer units can be activated by reading your fingerprint.

Remote Control: Two remote control units are standard on new garage door openers. Some remotes have a single button and only open one door. Others have multiple buttons and can operate more than one door.

Wall Controls: A wall-mounted control pad is a standard feature. It is used to open and close the door and to turn the light on and off.

Pro or DIY Model: Garage door manufacturers make separate products for professional installers and do-it-yourselfers. The only major difference is that the DIY models (the ones at home improvement stores) are easier to fit in a car. Pro models tend to have a one-piece rail, which is best transported in a truck. That could make the pro unit a bit stronger and easier to install, but you will need to buy it from a dealer.

Warranty. Warranties vary from model to model. Some motors will have a lifetime warranty and some may only have a 10-year warranty. Separate components, such as belts and chains, will usually be covered for shorter periods of time.

Price. An average model with 1/2-horsepower motors begin at about $135 for chain-drive units, $190 for screw-drive units and $230 for belt-drive units. Add another $20 or $30 for a 3/4-horsepower unit.