5 Types of Garage Door Openers

If your garage door opener is old, loud, or ineffective, it is time for a replacement. The garage door opener market has various options, depending on your door's size, noise level, security features, and required power level. Discover the common types of garage door openers below. 

1. Chain-Drive Openers 

Most garage doors feature chain-drive openers in which a metal chain like that of a bicycle opens and closes the door. The chain links to a metal bar fixed to the door, and the metal-to-metal contact makes considerable noise during the opener's operation. The noise will be a nuisance if the garage attaches to a bedroom or living area, which makes this opener more suitable for a detached garage.

The primary advantage of a chain-drive opener is its affordability since they start at $150. Chain-drive openers are also easy to install, but leave the installation to professionals to prevent injuries. 

The opener can also lift all kinds of garage doors, such as fiberglass, wood, steel, and aluminum. Newer chain-drive models are also much quieter, thanks to soft start-and-stop technology and DC motors.

However, chain-drive openers are vulnerable to mechanical wear and tear and need regular tightening and lubrication to work optimally. 

2. Belt-Drive Openers 



Belt-driven openers operate more quietly than chain-driven models by replacing the metal chain with a rubber or fiberglass belt. If your garage attaches to a bedroom, study room, or another inhabited area, a belt-driven opener is a smart choice because of the low noise. However, this added benefit costs you around $30 to $60 more than the average chain-drive opener. 

Belt-driven openers also have a lower lift capacity than chain-driven units and are unsuitable for hefty doors.

If a garage door expert determines that a belt-driven opener suits your door, you can expect less maintenance due to fewer moving metal components.

3. Screw-Drive Openers

A screw-drive opener features a threaded metal rod and a trolley system. When the motor turns the rod, the trolley moves along the rod away or toward the motor, raising or lowering the garage door. The opener's compact design suits one-car garages or lightweight and medium-sized doors. 

Screw-driven openers make substantial noise during operation but not as much as chain-driven units. Although screw-drive openers have fewer moving parts, the metal components need frequent lubrication and are vulnerable to operation issues due to temperature changes.

Notably, manufacturers of screw-drive openers have made considerable advancements in making them speedy and reliable. 

4. Jackshaft Openers

The three previous garage door openers are overhead units that require you to mount the drive to the ceiling. In contrast, a jackshaft opener is mounted on the wall, and you don't have to consider the ceiling's shape or height. The opener features a DC motor that drives pulleys and cables and turns the torsion rod to raise the garage door. The motor reverses to loosen the cable tension when closing the door. 

A jackshaft opener is fairly quiet and needs little maintenance but is only practical for certain garage doors, such as sectional models. The opener also suits garages with low or high ceilings, and you can save the ceiling space for storage even if you have a standard-sized garage. However, jackshaft openers are more expensive than the other three models.

5. Smart Openers

Smart openers are newcomers to the market and promise convenience and increased security to homeowners. These openers will operate like one of the above openers but link to Wi-Fi and relay information through a mobile app.

The openers also pair with sensors on a garage door's rails to let you know if your door is open or shut. You can remotely monitor your garage door area and receive personalized alerts every time the door opens. Smart openers feature a high price tag but give you unparalleled peace of mind. 

At Armor Overhead Door, we have extensive experience installing and repairing all kinds of garage door openers. Contact us today for any garage door opener issues.