Buying A New Garage Door Opener? Don't Overlook These 4 Factors
Is it time to have a replacement garage door opener installed at your home? If so, then of course you want to make the right decision. But with so many makes and models of garage door openers available these days, it can be difficult to know which is right for your needs. As you shop around, keep a few important factors in mind to come to a well-informed decision.
The Type of Drive System
Start by deciding on the specific type of drive system you want your next garage door opener to use. You have a few options to choose from, including:
- belt-drive systems
- screw-drive systems
- chain-drive systems
A belt-drive system is a newer option that's known for being extremely quiet, so this might be ideal for homes where a garage is located adjacent to a living space, such as a bedroom. A screw-drive system, on the other hand, is louder but also tends to require little maintenance due to having few moving parts. Finally, chain-drive systems are more traditional and typically the least expensive option, but may be noisy. You can talk with a professional, like Don Johnson's Door Service, to see which kind would work best for your home.
Safety and Security Features
Garage door safety and security is also important; look for garage doors with an invisible sensor that will stop the door from closing if the pathway is blocked. You may also want to look for added security features, such as a "smart" garage door opener that allows you to open and close the door remotely from your smartphone. Also, make sure your new opener has a encrypted "rolling code" system, which will prevent an intruder's opener remote from working on your garage doors.
Amount of Horsepower
The amount of power your garage door opener needs will vary based on the size of your garage door and the material out of which it's made. For instance, if you have a lighter metal door, 1/2 HP is sufficient; but, if you have a heavy wooden door, you'll usually need about 3/4 HP. Generally, you can stick to the same amount of horsepower as your existing opener had, but if your previous opener seemed to struggle or the door took too long to open and close, then it might not hurt to bump up the horsepower on your new model.
Method of Operation
Last but not least, consider how you want to be able to operate your garage door opener. Newer models will come with remotes that you can keep in your car, but you may also want to ask about getting a key chain remote or even a keypad mounted next to the door. Keep in mind that some garage replacements do not include automatic openers in their total price, so you may have to pay an additional $300 to add one; and, additional key chains can cost between $15 to $50.