On average, a residential garage door is opened and closed at least 1,500 times per year. Considering how most doors rise from the ground at seven inches per second, the mechanisms that run a garage door opener are crucial to the functionality of a home. (Chain drive)
Consequently, a broken garage door opener can be a major problem in need of immediate repair. The following article covers the various things you need to know when you seek out a garage door opener replacement service.
While there are four basic types of garage door openers, all have one thing in common — they all consist of a motor that moves a trolley. The trolley, in turn, connects to the door. When the trolley is activated, it causes the door to move up or down. The main difference between the four garage door types is the driving utility. Simply put, some openers run on chains, while others use belts or threaded parts.
Here’s a look at the different types of garage door openers:
On a chain-driven garage door opener, a metal chain drives the trolley that elevates and lowers the door. Of all the different types of garage door openers, the chain drive option is generally the lowest priced, making it a popular choice among many homeowners. However, chain drive openers can also be noisy due to the movements of the chain. Therefore, chain drive openers can be an inconvenience for noise-sensitive people. Basically, the chain drive is:
- Inexpensive
- Noisy
On a belt-driven garage door opener, a rubber belt slides the trolley when the door opens or closes. Since the trolley moves over rubber instead of metal, the motions are smoother and quieter. Likewise, a door that runs on a belt drive will produce less vibrations than a door that opens and closes via chains. Thanks to the reduced number of moving parts, belt drives require less frequent maintenance than chain drives. Essentially, belt drive openers are ideal because they’re:
- Quiet
- Low Maintenance
Belt drive openers are good for any type of house, However we especially recommend belt drive for homes that feature a garage directly below or beside a bedroom or living area.
Screw Drive
On a screw-driven garage door opener, a threaded steel rod is responsible for the movement of the trolley, which lifts and lowers as the rod rotates. As with the belt drive, a screw drive consists of fewer moving parts, which means fewer problems over the long run. Screw drive openers are also smoother and quieter than chain drives. Like the belt drive, the screw drive opener is:
- Quiet
- Low Maintenance
Also like belt drives, screw drive openers are ideal for all types of houses. On any property where the living and sleeping quarters are adjacent to the garage, screw drive openers are an especially good option due to the vibration-free smoothness and overall quietness of the whole operation.
A direct drive opener is less complicated than all opener types simply because the motor itself moves the trolley. Therefore, there’s no belt, chain or threaded piece in the whole operation. Not only does this simplify the process of moving a door up and down, but it also results in a smooth, quiet operation that rarely requires maintenance. As such, the direct drive opener is a good option for properties of any size or layout.
Please give us a call for scheduling your next garage door opener install and/or service. 602.269.0888