Automatically opening garage doors are hugely beneficial. Not only do you no longer have to get out of your car to drive into your garage, but you are able to open your garage door when your hands are full, perhaps to store bulky items. Garage doors can be programmed to open when you enter a code or, if you have a transponder with you, whenever you go near your garage. Despite the various types of access control systems that are now available, there are only three main garage door openers used these days. What are they and which one will be right for your garage?
Chain Drive Openers
This type of garage door opener is one of the more common in Australia and North America. The reason that it is so popular is that it is a simple technology that is relatively cheap to install. It makes use of a chain which drives the door up and down from a centralised motor. As the name of the opener suggests, the chain drives are the main component in such a system. A major plus point with this sort of opener is that it will offer a good level of dependability. Even if you do need to have yours repaired, then it is likely that one of the chains needs to be replaced, which won't cost a fortune. One of the cons with such systems is that they rattle quite a lot when they are operating. Some people suggest that for this reason they are only good for detached garages, but they don't run for long when opening, so it is not much of an issue unless you really value silence close to your home.
Belt Drive Openers
From an operational point of view, a belt drive opener is much the same as one that uses a chain. Instead of the clanking and rattling you get with a metal chain, however, the belt that is used is a good deal less noisy. You could run one in a garage attached to your home and barely notice it in the next room. That said, belt drives are a bit more costly than other garage opener options on the market.
Screw Drive Openers
With a big screw thread that rotates when you open your garage door, this sort of opener is very different from belt- and chain-driven systems. The door opens very evenly when you have a screw thread opener, which means you often get quite an elegant look as it is operating. However, this is of no genuinely practical value unless you are trying to impress someone with your opener. Although such systems are not as noisy as they used to be when they first came out, they are by no means noise-free. On the plus side, screw drive garage openers are very reliable.
Share21 May 2019
Hello, my name is Colin and this is my construction blog. When people think of the construction industry, they often just imagine guys in hard hats building brick walls. While this is a popular image of the industry, it doesn't reflect the true diversity of different contractors and tradesmen who are involved in a construction project. Lasy year, my wife and I decided to construct our dream home. I had to arrange visits of plumbers, roofers, electricians, surveyors and home builders in order to get the job done. I learnt a lot during that experience, so I decided to start this blog.