Do you have questions about your garage door opener, or an opener that you plan to buy? The following are 10 of the questions that are most often asked when it comes to these openers when they are getting ready to purchase a garage door opener. If you have questions, we should answer many of them in the questions that follow.
What Types of Garage Door Openers Are Available Today?
When it comes to garage door openers with a trolley, you will find that there are two models available. They are the chain drive and the belt drive. A chain drive opener may have a combination of a chain and a metal cable, or they could be a full chain system. The systems that are chain only are going to be of a higher quality.
The belt drive model has a metal‑reinforced rubber belt. This type of opener tends to be quite a bit quieter, and it works well for those who have a bedroom located above the garage.
What Are the Motor Sizes?
Two size motors are available today. They are the ½ and the ¾ horsepower motor. There are also European models that have 500 or 700 Newtons of power. However, this is the same equivalent as the ½ and ¾ HP models, respectively.
It is important to keep in mind that a garage door that is balanced correctly should weigh between 8 lbs and 10 lbs (3.5 and 4.5 kg). The electric door openers will replace the strength you would need to lift the door with a single hand. However, the ¾ HP models can lift up to 350 lbs (160 kg), and they can push down with the same amount of pressure and weight.
Where Should You Buy the Opener?
In some cases, you might be able to buy a garage door opener at a hardware store. However, they are only going to have openers with a trolley that will pull up a door that’s made with three sections. Those who rarely use the garage door might not see this as a problem. However, those who are using the door daily, or multiple times a day, will likely want to choose a garage door opener that has a single‑piece trolley mechanism. They tend to be more durable and can last for quite a bit longer.
The best option is to speak with a specialist who understands the various types of openers and who can install and repair them. They can provide you with recommendations that will meet your needs and your budget.
Is It Possible to Install the Garage Door Opener on Your Own?
As long as this is a simple and typical installation, most people will be able to handle the installation on their own. However, the best option is to work with a garage door technician who has the experience needed to take care of the installation quickly and who can make sure it is working properly.
Can Someone Open My Garage Door If I Am Away?
Whether you are going to be out of town for a day or two for work, or you are going to be spending time away on a vacation, you want to be sure that people are not able to get into your garage. With some of the models of garage door, you will have a control panel, which can let you block the use of remote controls on your door. You can also unplug the garage door opener if you are going to be away for a long period.
How Do I Reprogram After a Power Outage?
Most of the time, it is simple to reprogram a remote. You can get a stepladder to climb up to the back of the housing for the opener, and this will have the reprogramming instructions.
Why Does the Door Reverse and Not Close?
Since 1993, all the garage doors in North America are required to have two automatic reversal systems. One of these is mechanical and the other utilizes photocells. These help to ensure safety for you and your family. If the beam to the photocells becomes misaligned, the door will not shut all the way and it will reverse. You can simply adjust the sensors to make sure they are in line, and it should work correctly.
Are There Battery Backups?
Some of the openers will have backup batteries integrated into them. This is true of LiftMaster’s 8550W model. These backups can provide you with about 20 more hours of openings and closings.
What Is the MyQ™ Application?
Internet apps are capable of doing many things today, and that includes allowing you to open and close your garage door. When you install the app on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, you can open and close your door from anywhere in the world.
What’s the Cost?
The cost of a garage door opener will vary by the model. A ½ HP, belt‑drive model, without the installation, will generally cost between $350 and $400. The cost of installation tends to be between $100 and $125 if the opener is installed when a new garage door is installed.
More Questions?
If you have more questions, you can contact us at 515-276-3700 (Des Moines) or 515-233-4210 (Ames). We can also provide you with a quotation by email.
Feel free to check out the showroom, use the Design Centre to find the style of door that’s right for you and check out the image gallery for some inspiration.
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