The garage door is the largest, heaviest moving part of your home. For many families, the garage door is the primary entrance and gets opened several times a day. Selecting a safe and reliable garage door opener is very important. There are three common types of garage door openers: chain drive, screw drive, and belt drive. There is also a new type of opener called a jack shaft that is specifically designed for applications where traditional overhead openers will not fit.
A chain drive opener uses a long chain similar to a bicycle or motorcycle chain to open and close the door. Chain drive openers are the least expensive option, but they are usually very reliable. Their primary drawback is that they are noisy. They also need occasional lubrication for best operation.
Screw drives use a long threaded rod instead of a chain to open the door. Screw drive openers are powerful, require the least maintenance of all openers, and are less noisy than chain drive openers. They are a little more expensive than comparable chain drive openers.
Belt drive openers are the quietest of all openers, but also the most expensive. They use a steel reinforced rubber belt to raise and lower the door. If your garage is underneath a living space, the additional cost of a belt drive opener might be worth it.
Unlike other types of openers, jack shaft openers mount against the wall next to the garage door. They are very quiet and are the perfect solution if your garage design is such that a traditional opener cannot be mounted overhead.
