Automatic overhead door openers got popular in the 1970s and have grown into a massive market with a plethora of different kinds of electric overhead door openers for residential and commercial garages. Automatic garage door openers took the trouble out of needing to get out of the car to manually open the garage door. Various garage door openers may be installed by seasoned do-it-yourselfers, however, for most, installation should be entrusted to the experts. When safety is such an important issue, as it is with garage doors and garage door openers, it's just much better to leave it to the experts.

There are four types of overhead door openers: chain driven, belt drive, screw driven, and jack-shaft. Every type operates in different ways and your specific needs will lead you to the most ideal opener for your garage door.

Points to consider when purchasing an opener:

Do you prefer extra safety features for your opener? If you have little ones, this is particularly important.
Are you searching for a very quiet opener?
Do you live in an environment with harsh temperatures (in which a screw drive opener may be the most ideal option)?
Do you want remote control access?
Does your garage facilitate ceiling mounting of the opener, or do you have high ceilings (which would make a jack-shaft the best option)?
What is your budget? Chain-drive openers are the least expensive of the four options.
Chain Drive
Chain-drive garage door are the most favored of the four types of garage door openers. They are the least pricy. Even though they are the noisiest of the four types, they are highly durable and are a solid garage door opener option.

Belt Drive
Due to the fact that they use rubber belts, belt-drive openers are quieter than chain drives. They cost a little more than chain-drive openers and are best for those with living spaces more info at the top of or next to the garage. There are also limited vibrations related to this opener type.

Screw Drives
This garage door opener type is usually used in climates with garage door repair near me harsh temperatures since they are developed to hold up click here against temperature changes. Screw-drive openers will not suffer from frosted chains or other weather-related issues. The tracks are plastic-lined and there is very limited upkeep required.

Jack-shaft
Jack-shaft drives are good for eliminating that massive garage door opener box on the ceiling of your garage. Jack-shaft openers are attached on the side wall of your garage and are excellent for garages with tall ceilings. Another advantage is that they are super silent.

In case you are doubtful about which garage door opener is ideal for your garage, then locate a local garage door contractor who can assist you decide.


Automatic garage door openers became popular in the 1970s and have evolved into a huge market with a plethora of different kinds of automatic garage door openers for commercial and residential garages. Automatic garage door openers took the inconvenience out of having to get out of the car to manually open the garage door. When safety is such an important issue, as it is with garage doors and garage door openers, it's simply better to leave it to the experts.