Garage Door Opener Buying Guide
Your garage door opener has the important job of raising and lowering your garage door. This often overlooked appliance affects your daily comings and goings and shapes home security more than you may realize. If it’s time to replace your old garage door opener, use this guide to compare different types and narrow down the best one for your space.
Choose Your Drive Type
Different types of garage door openers move your door in different ways. The three most common options include:
- Chain drive: This style uses a metal chain to pull the door. It’s the most budget-friendly option and works well for heavy doors or detached garages where noisy operation is less of a concern.
- Belt drive: A steel-reinforced rubber or polyurethane belt provides smooth, quiet operation, making it popular for garages with bedrooms above or beside them.
- Jack Shaft: Direct Drive motor – attaches to spring shaft and turns shaft for operation of door
Best Applications = High Lift track or Vertical Lift Track – allowing the door to open vertically For jobsites with tall ceilings
Select an Installation Location
Most homeowners picture a garage door opener hanging from the ceiling. Ceiling-mount units sit above the center of the door, connect to the door via a rail and arm, and plug into a nearby power outlet. This traditional setup works well in many homes and is usually the least expensive choice.
Wall-mount openers, also called side-mount or jackshaft openers, sit beside the door at the torsion bar instead of overhead. This style frees up ceiling space for lighting, storage racks, or car lifts and helps reduce vibration.
Wall-mount openers are popular in garages with high or sloped ceilings, low headroom, or the desire for a cleaner aesthetic. Be aware that they cost more and are only compatible with certain doors. Your installer can help you decide if this is a good garage door opener for your setup.
Determine Your Power Requirements
The next question is: what size garage door opener do I need? In most cases, “size” refers to horsepower (HP). The heavier the door, the more horsepower your garage door opener needs to lift and lower it.
Single-car steel doors do well with a 1/2 HP opener. Standard two-car steel doors or doors used as a main entry point often benefit from a 3/4 HP unit. Oversized, insulated, or heavy wood doors usually require 1 HP or more to prevent the opener from straining every time you hit the button.
Consider a Smart Garage Door Opener
Smart technology has transformed the capabilities of garage door openers. Here’s what can happen when your setup is connected to the internet:
- Wi-Fi control and a mobile app let you open, close, and check the status of your garage door from your phone.
- Real-time alerts notify you when the door is opened, closed, or left open accidentally.
- Secure guest access allows you to create and manage digital keys or temporary codes for visitors, service providers, or package deliveries.
- Smart home integration allows you to program routines and use voice commands to check the status of your garage door.
- Scheduling lets you set the door to close at a specific time or after a set period, alleviating concerns about whether you closed the garage door before bed.
- An integrated camera with audio gives you a live view into the garage and the ability to speak with people there from your phone.
Other Features to Look For
Standard garage door openers typically include a wall-mounted control, at least one remote, a manual release cable for emergencies, and an automatic security light when you open or close the door. If you’re looking to go beyond the basics, consider these additional features when choosing a recommended garage door opener:
- Keyless entry keypad
- Vacation or lock mode for remotes
- Mini remotes for your keychain
- Built-in LED lighting
- Motion-activated lighting
- Quiet start and stop motor operation
- Battery backup operation
- Rail extensions for taller doors
- Compatibility with vehicle-integrated controls
Schedule Installation
Garage door opener installation looks simple until you find yourself standing on a ladder with a heavy motor, sharp metal parts, and a high-tension spring system that demands precise handling. Even a slight mistake during installation can result in noisy operation, repeated breakdowns, or an unsafe door that doesn’t reverse when it should.
That’s why it’s better to hire a professional from GEIS Building Products. Our fourth-generation family business offers good service at fair prices to our customers across the Greater Milwaukee Area.
Get Help Choosing the Right Type of Garage Door Opener
When you’re ready for a new garage door opener, turn to GEIS Building Products. We install and service residential garage door openers every day, so we know how to match the right opener to your door, set it up properly, and test the safety features before we leave your driveway.
Ready to schedule garage door opener installation or service in Milwaukee? Don’t Think Twice. Call GEIS!