What to Consider when Buying a Garage Door Opener

Garage Door Opener Types

Power

Power refers to both the size of the garage door opener’s motor and the type of power used to run the motor. Motors come in 3 sizes: 1/3 Hp, good for single garage doors; 1/2 Hp, preferred for double doors; and 3/4 Hp for unusually large or heavy doors, and even 1 Hp. “Soft” stopping and starting reduces noise. DC-powered garage door openers use less electricity and may include battery backup for power outages

Safety

The U.S. government requires that all garage door openers sold today be able to stop a closing garage door and reverse its course whenever it meets an obstacle in its path. Look for a garage door opener with a pressure sensor that mounts on the door and a manual release feature that allows you to open the door if the power fails. 

Security 

Garage door openers incorporate a system of rolling codes, meaning that each time the opener is activated, and the code changes. This prevents code theft and accidental opening by neighbors or passersby. Look for a timer function that will lock the garage door and disable the remotes while you’re away for extended periods of time. 

Lighting

Garage door openers offer single light bulbs and double light bulbs.  If you have a dark garage you might want to consider a garage door opener with more lighting.

Battery Backup

Does it come with a battery backup or can it be added. All new openers are supposed to have them according to the law. SB969

Control Your Garage Door Threw an App

You can control your garage door and check the status of your garage door and see if the garage door is open or closed by using an app on your phone.

Garage Door Remotes

Remote controls can have one button for opening and closing the door, or multiple buttons for operating several doors or turning on lights. Keypads allow access to children and visitors and let you back in if you forget or lose your remote. Consider fixed controls with a delay feature that will let you get out of the garage without running past a descending door. 

Wall Stations

Some door-bell wall stations are very basic like this one above and the nicer ones have an option where they can lock out the transmitters so they can not work and feel safer in your house at night or when you go on vacation. Some have LCD screen where you can do a lot more stuff. 

Keyless Entry

Keyless entry is something your install outside of your house and then you enter in a code and then it can operate your garage door. Liftmaster used 4 characters and Linear can use 6 characters.

Photo Eye Mounting Systems

Liftmaster clips on the garage door track and they move around and cause problems for customers. Genie and Linear are mounted independently.  

Retail Vs. Professional

The main difference between retail openers and professional type openers are the rails. Retail openers are built so they are pieced together so they can fit in a box to be able to take home in your vehicle. Retail openers are not very strong because they flex and bend and they are pieced together. A professional garage door opener is a solid rail and because of that they very strong. For customers buying a retail opener they only will last if they install the garage door opener correctly. I see customers install garage door openers incorrectly and then the safety devices don't work like they should.  Another problem is customers do not set the safety pressures correctly and when it hits an object the door does not reverse like it should and door come off the track and then there is a lot of problems. My advice is to let a professional install the door so that the safety devices work like they should and could recommend the right garage door opener for the door you have.

Application Of The Garage Door Opener

Garage Door Openers are very much like car or trucks. If you are hauling a big heavy trailer then you are going to want something with some power to pull that heavy trailer. So in other words if you have a heavy carriage house door then you want something strong to be able to lift up the garage door. In the garage door world, there are very basic models and then some with all the bells and whistles. If you are not sure of what garage door opener works with your garage door feel free to call Adm Garage Doors 916-595-5355