Roller Door Openers

As you' d expect, chain driven models involve a chain. It' s similar to a bicycle chain, and it pushes or pulls a trolley that connects it to a metal bar. This bar is called a j-arm, and it' s attached to the garage door. Chain-drive roller door openerss are the most affordable in the industry, and they' re durable and long-lasting, but they also tend to be noisy. This may not be an issue unless you' ve got a bedroom over the garage. Belt-driven openers are very similar to chain-driven models. The difference is that they use a reinforced belt to push or pull the trolley, rather than a chain. The belts are made of different materials: Typically fiberglass, polyurethane, or steel-reinforced rubber. These belt-driven openers are quieter than chain-driven openers, but just as reliable. In fact, with periodic maintenance, you can expect your belt-drive unit to last for many years with no problems.

If you are really interested in a quiet model, you might consider a direct drive unit. These are supposed to be the quietest type of garage door unit because the only moving part is the motor. An example of german innovation, they feature a motor that travels along a stationary chain embedded in an overhead rail. A j-arm connects the moving motor to the door. This type of unit costs about the same as a belt-driven model, and have lifetime warranties. Screw-openers feature a trolley that rides on a threaded-steel rod. A motor rotates the rod, and because this design has fewer moving parts than most, it' s supposed to require the least maintenance. Screw-driven openers encounter problems, however, in regions with large swings in temperature. They' re also noisier than belt-driven openers, though manufacturers of this kind of opener are working on these problems. Working in their favor is the fact that they' re among the speediest of openers, opening a garage door at 10 to 12 inches per second as opposed to the 6 to 8 inches of most doors. All roller door openerss close doors more slowly than they open them, at about 7 inches per second, for safety.

A jackshaft opener is different from other systems. This kind of system mounts on the wall beside the garage door and uses a system of pulleys and cables to turn the torsion bar and raise the garage door. Driven by a 24 volt dc motor, this type of system is reliable and quiet, and keeps the ceiling free for overhead storage. It' s also a good option for a garage with a high or low ceiling. This is the most expensive of the garage openers. How do you know which type of roller door openers is right for your home? If budget is a priority, consider a chain-driven opener. These are also good for large, heavy garage doors, like oversized or solid wood doors. On the other hand, if your primary concern is noise, a belt-drive opener may be a better bet. Of course, if your door is noisy as it goes along the track, a quieter opener may be a moot point. If your budget permits a direct-drive or jackshaft model, you might want to go with one of these, because they' re quiet and extremely dependable. If you' re looking for a nice, solid, middle of the road option, consider a screw-drive opener. They' re not as quiet as belt driven or direct drives, but they' re quieter than chain drives. Be aware, though, that screw-driven openers require regular maintenance to keep the rod from stripping the teeth of the drive. Because of this tendency to wear out, they' re not the best option for large or heavy doors.