Four Types Of Garage Door Openers
Garage door openers are arguably the most important part of your garage, even beyond the door, simply because they are the mechanism with which you gain access to your garage. An improperly functioning garage door opener can cause you all sorts of headaches. However, while all types of garage door openers perform the same function, they do so in different ways, which gives each type of opener a different set of advantages. Understanding the differences between the most common types of garage door openers can help you choose the one that is the best fit for your needs.
Chain Drive Openers
Chain drive garage door openers are the most common type of garage door opener, largely because they are also the cheapest option. They make use of a heavy-duty chain to lift up your garage door. This simple mechanism means that there are relatively few moving parts within the opener, reducing the risk of something going wrong with the unit. Chain drives do not require a great deal of maintenance as a result. However, chain drive openers do create a great deal of noise while in operation.
Belt Drive Openers
Belt drive garage door openers operate in the exact same way as chain drive openers, but they use a rubber belt instead of a metal chain. This means that they are significantly quieter than their chain counterparts, but at the cost of reduced durability. The rubber belt will need to be periodically replaced to ensure that your opener stays in good, working order.
Direct Drive Openers
Direct drive openers work by having a motor that moves along a predetermined track that is fixed with a metal bar or a similar piece to the actual garage door. This means that there is very little noise when the door is opening, and the opener itself will only take up a small amount of space on your garage, making them perfect for smaller areas. However, direct drive openers do come at a higher initial cost than the other types of available openers.
Screw Drive Openers
Like their name would suggest, screw drive openers work by twisting a threaded screw, transferring that motion into energy that lifts the garage door up and down. Screw drive openers have very few moving parts, and as such will rarely suffer from mechanical issues or require repairs, but they do operate much slower than other types of openers and also create a fair amount of noise.
For more information, turn to a local garage door opener company.