Garage doors are one of the most important parts of a home. It is what separates you from the outside world and it can keep your belongings safe while you’re away at work or school. A garage door that is not in good condition can be an eye sore for visitors, as well as create safety hazards. This article will cover some tips on how to find a garage door opener that suits your needs, as well as some things to look out for when buying one!
5 Best Garage Door Openers
LiftMaster 8500 Elite Series 8500 Jackshaft Operator
The 8500 Elite Series Jackshaft Operator mounts on the wall beside your garage door, freeing up valuable, expensive roof space.
Fit for use with low ceilings (10′ high), this ultra-quiet model runs off of a whisper quiet P3 Motor to produce no sound vibrations or distortions whatsoever through the roof and into your home like traditional jackshaft operators do.
Complete with a robust suite of security features that will make thieves think twice about robbing from you, it makes sense not to risk life and limb climbing up onto a dangerous rooftop to steal what is rightfully yours in the first place!
Genie StealthDrive Connect Model 7155-TKV Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
Discover the ultimate smart garage door opener! GeniStealthDrive connects with Alexa, Google Home and more. Get some peace of mind for car or baby in the cribs by making your garage door a little quieter with our Steel-Reinforced Belt drive paired up to an impressively tough 1 ¼ HPC DC Motor.
Keep track of when your kids get home from school or be notified if you crush that delicious first batch of scratch biscuits by adding Aladdin Connect technology to make this into the perfect Smart Garage system hub using compatible genie devices like myQTM Plug-In Docking Station (Model ND5) and more!
Chamberlain Wd1000Wf Garage Door Opener
The Chamberlain Wd1000Wf Garage Door Opener features Myq smartphone control with built in Wi Fi and optional CFL.
There are two types of compatible remotes – a three button remote for 8 feet high doors and a five button remote for 10 feet high doors. Safety sensors included protect you from unwanted incidents.
The LCI display wall control allows the opener’s LED lights to be turned on or off, lets you view diagnostics, provides access to create additional remotes, program your opener’s security code, set time delays for closing your door at preset times every day or when people enter/leave his home via the MyQ app.
NEXX Garage NXG-100 NXG Remote Compatible Door Openers
The Nexx Garage NXG-100 NXG is a convenient, easy-to-use device that turns your existing Wi-Fi network and garage door opener into a single integrated smart device.
It can be activated by touching the Next Home mobile app, giving voice commands to Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant devices, or it can be automated with SmartThings.
You can authorize numerous people to access to your garage as well as opening and closing the door automatically if you’re not home.
With its many useful features like global remote monitoring, customizable alerts that notify you of any open/close activity via email or SMS text messages, Nexx Garage may just become one of your most valuable home automation products.
Featuring an elegant yet durable design made of heavy duty steel construction, the Chamberlain Group MyQ Wall Control adds convenience and safety to your garage door system.
Chamberlain B970T Smart Garage Door Opener with Battery Backup
With the Chamberlain B970T Smart Garage Door Opener with Battery Backup, you can open and close your garage door from anywhere with a smartphone.
This model offers battery backup power in case of power failure to ensure safe replacement ins-and-outs so that nothing slows you down. Constructed with durable steel belts for years of reliability, this opener is designed for attached garages only.
With purchase comes built-in Chamberlain myQ technology that lets you know when your door is open or closed and alerts if the device has been tampered with. To ensure maximum security against identity theft, CCI Security+2.0 delivers 256-bit encryption on data transmission between the remote control transmitter and receiver function panel inside the home as well as communication between its transmitter and the outside world.
Chamberlain Group MyQ Home Bridge lets you open or close your garage door from anywhere using a smartphone, tablet, Apple watch and any smart devices.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Garage Door Opener
When looking for a new garage door opener, there are many different factors to consider: size, power source, type of garage doors (up-and-over vs side), etc.
Size
Size is important. The bigger your garage space, the more powerful you want your opener to be. If it is just a single car garage, then a basic belt drive opener will do.
However if you have a two or three car garage, you’ll need one that can match its strength and power much better.
Power Source
There are two main sources of power available: AC and DC.
AC Power : The most common type of power today, with standard outlets installed in every home. It can be powered through the use of an extension cord as well instead of directly connected to the garage door opener itself. AC powered ones tend to be less expensive than DC ones (which we’ll get into later). It also requires less maintenance.
DC Power : DC power is usually saved for heavy duty, high-class products. It has more torque while at the same time being faster than an AC powered opener. The only downside is that you are required to install a separate electric supply box in your garage and set up another wire connection just for the door opener itself.
Type of Garage Door
There are two main types of garage doors: Up-and-over and side hinged.
Up-and-Over: Where one panel rises up before going down automatically when it reaches the top. These are good for homes with narrow garages or where there’s not much room on the sides of the garage door opening/closing area. It uses rotating steel drums on both sides of the door. This ensures that it can be bigger and still have enough room to function smoothly because they also come with safety sensors to stop them from moving or falling on things (people, cars, etc.)
Side Hinged: Doors open by swinging out in a sideways motion. It is good for wider garages where you would need more space. This allows it to take up less space when opening/closing but does not have as many safety features as an up-and-over door.
Power Rating
This measures how much power your opener has and will determine how strong your opener is against the weight of the garage door itself when it is shut/opened. We recommend that you get one that works well with your house’s weight and size. For the average 2 car garage, we recommend getting a 1/2 horsepower opener. Anything above is recommended for 3-car garages, or if you have very heavy doors (from materials such as metal).
Types of Openers
There are several types of openers available today: Chain drive, belt drive and screw drive.
Chain Drive : This type uses a steel chain to pull two trolleys up with pulley wheels attached to them so that it will lift the door up. These are usually cheaper than other types but can be quite noisy when used and wears out faster depending on how often it’s in use (the more frequent, the sooner they’ll wear out).
Belt Drive : Uses a rubber belt instead of a steel one. These are much quieter and smoother than the chain type because it is not in direct contact with the rollers.
Screw Drive : Uses a metal shaft to open/close your door via turning screws (hence its name). Very quiet but does take some time getting used to since you have to push/pull the door manually for it to work. They do make certain models that have motors installed as well though, which allow you to open and close them just by pushing a button or using a remote control.
Garage door openers are essential to any home. Whether you have a single car garage or a three-car garage, it’s important not take the easy way out when buying one. The type of power source and strength rating can determine how effective your opener is at lifting your heavy doors. We’ve outlined some features of each type so that you can make an informed decision on which best suits your needs today.
