October 7, 2016

What to Consider When Purchasing a New Garage Door

Garage door opener

If it has come time for you to install a new garage door opener, you probably have many questions. After all, there are so many factors to consider when making such an important purchase. If you haven’t evaluated the situation, but know you need that new opener, here are the points to keep in mind:

What Are Your Actual Needs?

Garages and garage door openers are not universal and your home or building has a specific “set up”. You might have a detached garage or a garage that is part of the house. Your garage may have a loft above it or it may even have several floors above. What this means is simple: You need to consider your needs in terms of the space. For instance, if you have living spaces above, you need a quieter garage door opener.

What About Space?

Whether or not you have a garage door opener currently installed, you must consider the space over the door as you begin to make your choices. This is because certain models of opener need specific amounts of space. For example, an opener using a central trolley requires there to be at least two inches (51mm).

A good first step is to have the space professionally measured and assessed. You can feel free to contact us for a proper evaluation.

Special Needs and Circumstances

Though the trolley‑type door opener has some spatial limitations, it is a very flexible solution. It can be used if the tracks are inclined, such as a sloped ceiling. However, door height is also of significance.

If there is some conflict between the height of the door and the space in which it has to move or function, a side‑mounted opener is a good solution. Also called a “jackshaft opener,” it mounts next to the door and connects to a torsion bar holding the spring system. This approach also has spatial needs (typically three inches or 76mm from the ceiling to the middle of the torsion bar).

Additionally, the overall size of the opener is six by sixteen (15cm x 20cm) with a minimum of eight inches (20cm) clearance between the garage wall and the end of the torsion bar.

Both types of openers have matching features, including the essential safety reversal features.

The Types of Door Openers

We have mentioned two of the 3 main types:

  • The central chain-driven trolleys, which are the most popular and the most economical
  • The jackshaft opener, which is a good solution for odd or awkward spaces. It is installed alongside the door and is practical for those spaces with a lot of room above the door.

Then there is the third type:

  • The central, rubber belt-driven trolley (metal-reinforced belt), which is ideal for garages beneath living spaces as these are the quietest types.

NOTE: Trolley openers have varying designs, and we always recommend the use of the single piece trolley rather than a three-piece design. The single-piece may be more rigid, but the three-piece is higher maintenance; demanding bolt tightening on a regular basis due to loosening.

Motor Sizes

You will also have to consider motor sizes, and there are two extremely popular options, the ½ HP and the ¾ HP. The ½ HP is the most frequent choice and most commonly installed. The ¾ HP is put to use for heavier doors (such as solid wood or models that weigh more than 3001b (135kg). Double doors of 16 feet in width are also often powered by the ¾HP motors.

Motors are found in two designs – the AC and DC types. As you might know AC means alternating current and it is the type that will open slowly, increase slightly in speed and then slow as it completes a single cycle. The type of motors using AC are described in Newtons. For example, they are 800 or 900 N rather than being described as ½ or ¾ HP.

The DC motors are direct current and they operate at a constant speed. You can find them in ranges from 1/3 to 3/4HP. For those who are seeking for a system with backup battery, it is only the DC motors that offer such an option.

Any accessories?

In considering a new garage door opener, you will want to consider if accessories are needed. These will vary from model to model, and you will have many choices. One thing to always ask, though are 2 safety reversal systems (mechanical and photo-electric).

In Conclusion…

Today’s garage doors are very different from those of even one or two decades earlier. With the LiftMaster’s MyQ system, for example, you can control the door with a table, laptop or smartphone!

So, whether you need a complex or simple project, be sure you start with this evaluation. We can help – arrange for a service call online or contact us at 1-866-436-6777. Feel free to go online and use our Design Centre or get in touch for a get a free quotation. We are happy to take any questions and offer expert advice.

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