A motor drives a trolley or carriage along a rail.
Should i get a bigger garage door opener.
Garage door openers typically range from 1 3 to over 1 horsepower.
A 1 3 horsepower opener can handle most doors 10 feet wide by 8 feet tall made of lightweight material.
Here s a detailed breakdown of the most crucial factors and how the chain and belt drive stack up.
Garage door openers typically last a long time depending on the type you get.
For example if you would like to lift a double garage door one might suggest using a 1 2 horsepower because the door is heavier and larger.
An opener with at least 1 2 horsepower is common for residential use.
One car garages with steel doors only need a 1 2 horsepower garage door opener.
1 2 horsepower garage door openers work well with standard aluminum doors in a residential garage.
To get the perfect garage door opener you must account for your needs and personal preferences.
Horsepower is really just a starting point for garage door openers.
Depending on the model a garage door opener can last up to 10 years or more so it is important to get one that is right for you and fits with the type of garage door you have.
The trolley is connected to the garage door and as the trolley moves it pulls the door open or pushes it closed.
Before you purchase a new garage door opener consider these important factors.
Garage door size and frequency of use.
Standard garage door openers have a similar design.
Look for an opener that has the horsepower necessary for your garage door size based on size and weight.
If the garage is the main entrance to your home or you have a one piece door or a heavy oversized garage door you ll probably need one with the lifting power of a 3 4 to 1.
While both garage openers use the same mechanical principle to raise and lower the doors chain drives have a higher load bearing capacity.
Two car garages or one car garages with insulated or wooden doors need at least a 3 4 horsepower garage door opener.