Which Type of Garage Door Opener is Best?

We’ll help you select the type of garage door opener that’s best for your lifestyle and budget

There are many types of garage doors out there, from basic utilitarian models to high-tech wonders. The first step is to select the type of drive mechanism you’re interested in, and then from there you can select the horsepower, security, and automation features you want in a garage door opener. Here’s a brief overview of the types of garage door openers available today.

Most Affordable: Chain-Driven Garage Door Openers

Chain-driven openers are probably the least expensive type of opener you can buy, but the tradeoff is that they can also be noisy. In this type of opener, the motor pulls on a chain that pulls on a bar attached to the garage door to raise and lower it. Newer models do offer quiet start and stop technology which can help address noise and vibration issues.

Best Value: Belt-Driven Garage Door Openers

In this type of garage door opener, a reinforced belt made from fiberglass, polyurethane, or steel-reinforced rubber is used in place of a chain to raise and lower the door. Belt driven openers are typically very reliable and quieter than chain drivers, but they do cost more. In many cases they offer the best balance between cost and quietness for a basic garage door opener.

Fastest Opening: Screw-Driven Garage Door Openers

This type of garage door opener works by rotating a threaded steel rod, which pulls or pushes the garage door open or closed. Screw drive openers have run into trouble in areas prone to extreme temperature swings, but here in California we don’t really have to worry about that so much. The main selling point of screw drive openers is that they can open a door almost twice as fast as other kinds of openers.

Most Versatile: Jackshaft Garage Door Openers

Because jackshaft garage door openers mount on the wall rather than the ceiling, they offer a solution for garages that have too much or too little ceiling clearance. They can be pricey, but they are quiet and reliable.

Quietest: Direct Drive Garage Door Openers

In a direct drive garage door opener, the motor actually travels up and down the overhead rail along a stationary chain. No moving chains or belts means no jingling or squeaking, making this the quietest type of garage door opener.

Additional Features to Consider

Once you’ve selected the type of drive mechanism you want, don’t forget to consider other features such as horsepower, backup power, security lights, keyless entry pads, warranties, etc. If you’re unsure what you’re really looking for in a garage door opener, our expert staff will be happy to assist you.