Looking To Automate Your Garage Door?

When it’s freezing outside, no one wants to get out of a heated car to open the garage door manually. If you’re looking for a better solution than playing rock-paper-scissors each time you get home, consider installing an automatic garage door opener.

Here are a few crucial things you need to look at when buying a garage door opener.

Power

The number one thing to look at is the power of your garage door opener. It needs to be strong enough to handle the weight of the entire garage door. The bigger your garage door, the more power you need. The best garage door openers use one of two kinds of motors, the Direct Current motors or the Alternating Current motors.

Direct Current motors use less electricity and the speed can be controlled which makes it more efficient On the other hand, the AC motors start slowly, then speeds up and slows down again as it reaches the ground, allowing for a softer start and stop.

Type of Drive

There are three different types of drives that can be used in garage door openers; chain-, screw- and belt-drives.

The chain-drive openers are the older, noisy type of drives that function with a metal-chain and trolley. If you don’t mind the noise, it’s good value for money –an oldie but a goody.

Screw-drive openers are fairly priced. Their noise levels are lower and they’re easy to maintain. This type of drive uses a threaded steel-rod to raise and lower the door. The latest models operate with a plastic lined track to increase agility and reduce noise. If you want to install a garage opener yourself, this drive is probably your best bet.

If you’re looking for a quiet drive, belt-drives are definitely your best option. They are similar to chain drives but instead of metal, they operate with a rubber belt.

Safety & Security Features

A garage door opening system can hold potential dangers when it opens or closes. To avoid anyone from getting hurt or scratching your car, make sure your system has automatic sensors to stop the door the moment it touches a car, person or anything else.

The quick release mechanism is also a necessity. When something gets trapped underneath the door, or if you lose electrical power, it allows the door to disconnect from the opener, making it possible for you to open and close the door manually.

General Features

You might want to consider the following features when purchasing a garage door opener:

• Remote controls get you in and out of the garage with ease.
• Choose a garage opener that comes with lights. This way, passengers can gather their belongings, get out of the car, and head into the house without having to stumble around in the dark.
• When your electricity switches off, a battery backup will kick in, making it possible for the garage door opener to still function.

Warranty

Make sure your garage door opener comes with a warranty that covers separate components and the system as a whole.