A garage door is a major investment in and of itself, but it's no good without a quality garage door opener. Although many people never pay much attention to the little box suspended above their car in the garage, it's important that you have the one that fits your garage best. So if you're thinking of replacing your garage door, or simply are in the market for a new garage door opener, take a look below at three things to consider before you break out your checkbook.
Drives
The first thing you'll want to consider is the type of drive your garage door opener will have. There are three main types of drives, each with their benefits and drawbacks. Screw drives are quite noisy but have the advantage of being extremely low maintenance. Belt drives, on the other hand, are much quieter, but often command a steep price as a result. Chain drives are probably the most common type, as they are cheaper than belt drives but still a bit quieter than screw drives.
Motor
The second thing you'll need to think about is the type of motor your garage door opener will feature. The appropriate motor, of course, is determined entirely by the type of garage door you have. Most doors can be opened just fine with an opener sporting a 1/2 horsepower motor. That said, there are some doors that require a bit more power, namely insulated doors and solid, one-piece wooden doors. If you have one of these doors, you'll want to spring for a 3/4 horsepower motor so that your opener doesn't struggle to lift the door on a daily basis. If you're in the market for a door opener to fit an industrial garage door, a 1 horsepower motor should do the trick.
Current
Though most garage door openers operate on alternating current, there is a rising demand for direct current openers. This is because openers with a direct current are quieter, faster and smoother overall than their AC cousins. If you're tired of having a garage door opener that starts and stops in a jerking fashion, direct current openers may be right up your alley. Not only that, but they're perfect in places where power is less than reliable; many DC openers have backup battery packs so that even if the power goes out temporarily during a storm, you'll still be able to park your car inside.
If you need a new garage door opener, check it out to see what's available.
Share13 January 2016
One of the most exciting, memorable, and rewarding events in someone’s life is searching for his or her dream home. I certainly remember my days of house hunting fondly. If you’re currently searching for a new place, you need to consider several factors when touring potential homes. One important characteristic is garage doors. Since you’ll likely be opening and closing these doors almost every day for the next several years, you need to like them. When looking at a prospective home, pay close attention to the size, style, and functionality of its garage doors. On this blog, I hope you will discover some of the most popular styles of garage doors installed in homes today. Enjoy!