BELT DRIVE, CHAIN DRIVE, OR SCREW DRIVE OPENER?

Advantages of Chain Drive Openers

Chain drive openers are a tried and true product that works for most types of garage doors. In addition, chain drive models tend to be the least expensive, because they are the most basic kind of garage door openers. For a person on a budget who wants a very standard automatic garage door opener, chain drive models are the best bet.

Disadvantages of Chain Drive Openers

Chain drive openers can be very loud, because of the action of the moving metal chain against the other parts of the door. If you have ever been in a home where you could hear a loud garage door opener doing its job from several rooms away, then it was probably a home with a screw drive or chain drive opener. Some older models are noisier than newer models, but screw drive and chain drive openers are said to be some of the noisiest garage door openers.

Belt Drive Garage Door Openers

Belt drive openers get their name from a belt of synthetic material that runs in a continuous loop to produce the lift to open and close the garage door. Belt drive garage door openers are different from chain drive openers simply because of the material the belt is made from.

Advantages of Belt Drive Openers

Belt drive garage door openers are believed to be much quieter than chain drive models. Compared to chain drive openers, you often do not hear belt drive garage door openers in other parts of the house. If you are sensitive to sounds, wake up easily when other members of the household come home, or simply want to make your home as peaceful and quiet as possible, the belt drive opener is likely for you. Especially consider the belt drive operators with DC motors, they are super quiet and don’t have the vibration of a traditional AC motor.

Disadvantages of Belt Drive Openers

Belt drive garage door openers can cost as much as $273.00 for the unit, not including installation costs. Installation can range from about $100 to about $150, depending on the length of time it takes to install the garage door opener in your home and the rate of the contractor who performs the installation. This is more than the baseline chain drive models.

Screw Drive Garage Door Openers

Screw drive openers use a threaded screw to lift and close the garage door. As the screw turns, the door is put into motion. This is a very different way of functioning compared to chain drive and belt drive models.

Advantages of Screw Drive Openers

Screw drive openers are known for their smooth opening and closing action. More importantly, they can lift heavy doors easily and are the go-to product when a homeowner replaces their lightweight door with something larger, heavier, or wider. If you have a heavy wooden door or an extra-wide and extra-tall door, then you will likely want a screw drive garage door opener.

Disadvantages of Screw Drive Openers

Screw drive openers cost about as much as a standard belt drive model, so they are far more expensive than chain drive units. However, many homeowners who choose screw drive openers select these models because they need an extra powerful garage door opener for their extra-large or extra-heavy garage door. When this is the case, the added expense for the garage door opener is worthwhile. 

Which Opener Should You Get If You Are Not Sure?
If you are not sure what kind of garage door opener is right for your home, talk to an experienced garage door contractor. Your contractor can help you decide what is right by analyzing your door, your budget, and your priorities. Your garage door contractor can also provide you with a quote for different models if you are torn between one or two types of garage door openers. This can help you make an informed decision.

Contact Your Garage Door Contractor Today

For more information about which type of garage door opener is best for your needs and for more answers to garage door–related questions, contact an expert. At Shank Door Safe & Secure, we are happy to answer your questions. Call today to make an appointment for a consultation and a quote. We look forward to speaking with you about your garage door opener needs.

Trackback from your site.