subject: Garage Door Openers: Consider Those On The Market Before Selecting One [print this page] These days, hardly anyone opens their garage door by hand. It would require getting out of the car before pulling in, opening it, and then jumping back in the car. Since most people are in a hurry to get to and from work or other locations, garage door openers are often seen as lifesavers for busy people.
If you do not yet have one, you should be excited at the prospect of finally being able to park without leaving the car. You should first learn a little about the available types.
A belt drive system mainly works with the help of rubber belts that reduce the noise that metal against metal would cause. Because this kind is very quiet, it is also expensive. If you want the least amount of vibrations, one of the smoothest and quietest systems, and do not mind spending a lot of money, you should consider this kind.
A screw driver is another type. A steel rod is instrumental in opening doors, and though not as quiet as the belt drive, this kind uses plastic-coated tracks to avoid metal-on-metal noise. Just note that it often starts out quiet when first installed, and then becomes louder over the years. Due to the small number of moveable parts on these garage door openers, there is very little maintenance required. This means it would be best for those who want to deal least with fixing the system often.
The third type is the chain drive. It works just like it sounds, as a metal chain opens and closes doors. This kind is the most popular, yet it is also the loudest. Its popularity likely has to do with the low price of the system. If you have a low budget and just need an opener fast, you might give this kind a try.
One of the newer kinds of garage door openers is the jackshaft, which is mounted on the side of the room. This is best if there are beams in the way, preventing you from hanging another type in the middle of the ceiling. However, it is the most expensive machine on the market, and also very quiet.
When selecting openers, you should keep in mind your budget and the amount of noise you can deal with. If there is a bedroom or office above the area where the system will be installed, you should likely go with the quietest one you can find. If you just need a quick fix for now and might be able to afford a better one in the future, a cheap system might do for now.
