There are three common types
of drives for your garage door opener – Belt Drive, Chain Drive, and Screw Drive. Before you choose one, take into account how you use your garage and how often you open and close it. Whether you are completely remodeling your garage or simply enhancing outdated equipment, never underestimate the importance of garage door openers. A quality
garage door opener makes the difference between a quiet, efficient door and a door that disrupts your sleep and breaks easily. Depending on your needs and habits, consider the following: Ideal for families that value quiet but need to open and close their garages frequently, belt drives move the door
with a strip of polyurethane, fiberglass, or reinforced rubber. This strip moves the trolley that is linked to the J-arm, which raises and lowers the garage door. The material in the strip is designed to minimize the number of vibrations
that occur when it is moving
the door, making the process almost perfectly silent. This model is only marginally more expensive than louder versions of the same technology. Belt openers are an especially good choice if you need to open your door frequently or late at night. A loud opener won’t be much of a problem at 5 PM, but if someone needs to come home at 1 AM, it will wake the entire house up. Thus the greater the potential for lost sleep or focus, the more important it is
to get a belt drive. Budget Friendly Price and ReliabilityChain openers use a similar mechanism compared to belt drives, but in place of a strip, they use a metal chain. Chains tend to vibrate more than synthetic strips, making this the loudest opener for your door. It is also, however, the cheapest device on the market. Homeowners thus tend to opt for chain drives if they are trying to save money, or if their garage is detached from the rest of the house, making silence less important. Some homeowners may even prefer the noise from a chain drive, as it alerts them when a family member arrives home. It is also worth noting that new technologies have progressively reduced chain drives’ noisiness, making them more advantageous each year. Simple Operation & Easy MaintenanceWhereas chain and belt drives pull and push your garage door, screw drives use a trolley mechanism. A motor moves the trolley, which carries a steel rod that is connected to the door. Mechanically speaking, screw drives are the simplest openers on the market, making them easier to maintain and repair. They are, however, the most expensive devices available. Deciding whether to use one thus requires choosing between high installation costs in the short term and reduced effort and expense in the long run. Screw drives are also more vulnerable to changes in temperature, making them a bad choice if you live somewhere with extreme weather. For more information on belt, chain, or screw drive garage door openers, contact Action Garage Door Repair Specialists today! Can I convert a chain drive garage door opener to a belt drive?With the help of a skilled professional, you can switch from a chain drive to a belt drive motor if you need to keep the noise down. Alternatively, you can install a chain drive if your garage door is wider and heavier than the standard sizes.
Is screw drive or belt drive better garage door opener?Advantages: Belt drive garage door openers are by far the quietest openers out of chain drive and screw drive openers. Belt drive garage door openers tend to be only slightly more expensive than chain drive openers. Most garage door openers tend to lift a garage door at a rate of 7 to 8 inches per second.
Can I replace a garage door opener unit without changing the rails?Can I reuse the old rails and parts when installing a new garage door opener? Although your new garage door opener may appear similar in design to your old opener, our recommendation is that you replace the entire opener. This includes mounting hardware, rails, wired door controls and wireless remote devices.
Is a belt drive garage door opener worth it?Belt-drive garage door openers are generally more expensive than chain-drive systems. But with a belt-drive system, you get a smoother, quieter, and more durable operation. Many homeowners find that the extra expense is worth it, provided that the belt-drive system is able to lift the door.
What are the pros and cons of a belt drive garage door opener?Belt openers also move a lot quicker than chain openers, so it's less time waiting in the driveway to get into your garage. While belt garage doors offer durability and strength, there are limitations to their abilities. Belt openers aren't really recommended for heavy doors, or two-door garages.
How long do screw drive garage door openers last?How Long Do Garage Door Openers Last? On average, a garage door opener should last about 10 – 15 years. Some last longer and some last a shorter amount of time, but keeping up with maintenance can help increase the lifespan.
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