There are a few types of automated garage doors: chain drive, Direct-Drive, Jackshaft Opener Screw-Drive Opener, Direct-Current, and belt drive. Keep reading to learn about each type's pros and cons to decide which is right for you.
Chain-Drive Openers
Chain garage openers allow you to open your garage door by pulling on a chain. This is a popular choice because the technology is inexpensive and easy to find. The opener unit has two chains on one end and torsion springs on the other, which raise or lower the door. Chain drive openers have greater tensile strength than standard bicycle chains so they can work with any home garage door.
Belt Drive Openers
Garage door openers with a belt drive function work similarly to chain-driven garage door openers. The only difference is that they use strong rubber belts instead of chains. When you open the garage door, the belts move up and down using a trolley. This makes it much quieter than garage door openers with metal chains, which make a lot of noise when operating.
Chain drives have a greater transporting capacity than belt drives. Chain drives are also quieter when closing and opening. Belt-driven openers are ideal for single garage doors but not for heavier hardwood doors.
Pros- It runs smooth
- Silent operation
- Fast
- Low Maintains required
cons
- Pricey
- Complex installation process
- It can’t hold as much weight
Direct-Drive opener
A direct drive opener is a newer garage door opener style with a motor attached directly to the trolley. This type of opener is very quiet, making it a good choice for people who have living space above or next to their garage. The downside of this type of opener is that it’s more expensive than chain-drive openers.
Pros- Very quiet operation
- Longer lifespan
- Low maintenance
Cons
- The more expensive upfront cost
Jackshaft Opener
A jackshaft opener is a type of garage door that mounts on the wall next to your garage door
This opener is a good choice for people with limited garage space. The downside of this type of opener is that it can be more expensive than other openers.
Pros
- Saves space in the garage
- Quiet operation
- Long lifespan
Cons
- Expensive cost
- installation can be more difficult
Screw-Drive Opener
A screw-drive opener is a type of garage door opener that uses a threaded steel rod to lift and lower your garage door. This opener is a good choice for people who want a durable and low-maintenance option. The downside of this type of opener is that it can be noisy.
Pros
- Durable and low-maintenance
Cons
- Noisy operation
Direct-Current Opener
A direct-current opener is a type of garage door opener that uses a battery to open and close your garage door. This opener is a good choice for people who want an opener that will work in the event of a power outage. The downside of this type of opener is that it can be more expensive than other openers.
Pros
- It will work in the event of a power outage
Cons
More expensive than other openersBelt Drive OpenerA belt drive opener is a type of garage door opener that uses a belt to lift and lower your garage door. This opener is a good choice for people who want a quiet and low-maintenance option. The downside of this type of opener is that it can be more expensive than other openers.
Which is the Best Garage Door Opener?
Even though belt drives are often seen as a better product, experts sometimes forget important things that customers care about. When choosing your garage door opener, it is easy to only think about what you want and need. However, this investigation looks at key elements in detail and compares chain and belt drive products.
Pricing
Chain drives are more affordable than belt drives. Chain drives also have the benefit of having replacement parts that are easy to find. However, one downside to chain drives is that they often require more frequent repairs and maintenance due to the friction between metal components.
Belt-driven garage door openers are more expensive than chain drives. But, they also have a longer lifespan and require less maintenance. One downside to belt drives is that they can be more challenging to find replacement parts.
Noise
Chain drives are often noisy due to the metal components. This can be an issue for people who have living spaces above or next to their garage.
Belt drives are quieter than chain drives due to the rubber belt. This is an important consideration for people who have living spaces above or next to their garage.
Installation
Chain drive installation is often easier because there are fewer parts. Belt drive installation can be more challenging because of the need to align the pulleys correctly.
Convenience
The primary distinction between the two is that one has a taller overall profile because of its larger fuel tank. If they wore out, it wouldn’t be difficult to replace them. However, if you have an owner’s manual for a new machine, something may go wrong while installing it, even if you’re comfortable working on engines and familiar with how one works.
How to Fix a Garage Door Opener
Garage doors are a common point of entry, so it’s not surprising that garage door opener problems are one of the most common homeownership issues. If your garage door isn’t opening all the way, or if it won’t open with the remote, there’s probably a fix. This blog post will walk you through some simple troubleshooting steps to get your garage door opener working again in no time!
Check Your Door First
Before you start fiddling with the garage door opener, it’s essential to ensure the door is functioning correctly. Check to see if the door is properly balanced – if it’s not, that could be why it’s not opening all the way. If the door seems stuck, try oiling the tracks to see if that helps.
Inspect the Opener
Your home garage door is one of the heaviest things in your house. That’s why it needs to have a working emergency reversing mechanism. If something goes wrong and the door starts moving too fast, the emergency reversing mechanism will make it stop. Many people have been injured or killed because of faulty automatic reversal mechanisms on garage doors. So be sure to test the safety reverse when doing your home inspection!
Ensure the safety reverse is in working order before proceeding with the garage door. Also, check that the door can move freely without making unusual noises. Inspect the tracks for any damage. If there are loose or missing hardware pieces on the door or track, make a note of it and suggest that a professional garage door technician fix it. Finally, determine what kind of garage door you have and how good or bad it is.
Check The Remote
Every garage opener has a code that must match the code on the remote for it to work. This is important for two reasons:
- strangers can’t just open your door
- your door doesn’t open when your neighbor’s dog gets loose.
There are tiny switches inside both pieces of the remote control. Compare the positions of these “dip” switches on both receiver and remote. If they aren’t aligned, change their position until they are.
If you want your garage door opener to be able to open and close your garage door using a remote, you will need to get an opener with a self-coding capacity. This is a bit more complicated than just using a code switch. Ensure you read the owner’s manual or consult online instructions for your specific opener model to ensure you don’t miss anything important.
Align or replace the safety sensor
If the door goes up but down only part way, the safety sensor is probably misaligned or needs to be replaced. Misaligned sensors are a common issue, and it is an easy fix.
First, check that the safety sensors are plugged in. If they are, then unplug them and move them slightly until you see the green light come on. If the green light doesn’t come on, the sensors are probably bad and need to be replaced.
Once you’ve made sure that the safety sensors are plugged in and aligned, plug them back in and try opening and closing the door again. You may need to replace the garage door opener if it isn’t working.
Check the External Controls
If your garage door opener is working, but the door itself isn’t, the problem is probably with the external controls. Check to see if the wall button or keypad is working. If not, you may need to replace the batteries or get a new control panel.
Check to see if there are any loose wires. If so, tighten them up and see if that fixes the problem. If the wall button or keypad is working, but the door still isn’t, then the problem is probably with the wiring. If not, then you may need to replace the garage door opener.
Adjust Garage Door Limit Switches
Your garage door opener has two limit switches. These switches tell the opener when to stop moving the door up or down. If these switches are out of adjustment, the door will either not open all the way, or it will not close all the way.
First, find them on the garage door opener to adjust the limit switches. They are usually located near the motor unit. Then, use a screwdriver to adjust the screws on the limit switches. Turn the screws until the door opens and closes smoothly.
Get Professional Help
If you’ve tried all these things and your garage door isn’t working, then it’s time to call a professional. A professional garage door technician will be able to diagnose and fix the problem quickly. Canadian Garage door Edmonton technicians are available 24/hours a day, seven days a week, to help you with your garage door opener needs. Give us a call today! We will help you get your garage door opener working again.
We Offer:
- The Quietest openers on the market
- Highly Trained professionals
- Warranty up to 10 years!
- After-sales service
We know how inconvenient it is when your garage breaks down. Let us take care of you today and open up that space! Give our team a call, and we’ll work hard to get there as soon as possible so all can return to being normal again in no time!
