Choosing The Best Garage Door Opener

When it really comes down to it, a garage is never really a garage without a door to close it in. A door acts as a barrier to the elements, unwanted animals, and people, while keeping valuables and storage items secure and out of harms way. But when it comes to gaining access to your stored items, manual operation of the door can prove itself a bit of a hassle. Such is why automatic openers are so popular! In this article, we will walk you through the steps necessary to finding your ideal opener.

Step 1 – To begin, you must figure out what kind of drive you’d like. A drive is the mechanism that lifts the door and comes in three types: computer, chain, and screw. All range in price and have various features to fit most budgets and needs.

Step 2 – Find out how much horsepower will be required to lift the door. The amount of power needed will ultimately depend on the construction of the door. Lightweight units, such as aluminum will require less, whereas heavier metals and wood will require more. Most doors will do just fine with ½ horsepower.

Step 3 – When shopping, make sure to review the warranty information. It may be worth spending a little extra for the extra comfort a 15 year warranty can provide.

Step 4 – Inspect the safety mechanism of the door you’re interested in. Some doors will close regardless of whether anything lies in their way. If you have children or small pets, you may want to upgrade to a system which includes sensors lift the door when an obstruction is detected.

Step 5 – In most cases, you’ll want to review the remote control specs to make sure it comes with a modulating code. Devices with these codes change rather frequently, and ensure that only the owner will have access to the door.

Step 6 – Evaluate the available options that come with the doors and decide whether they might be beneficial to your needs. Some openers can be synced to a vehicle, eliminating the need for people to carry a master remote in the car with them.

Step 7 – Check out the lighting fixtures available to you. Many openers have temporary lighting triggers which are activated as soon as the door opens. Find the best options for your situation.

Step 8 – Find someone who is able to install the opener for you. In many cases a trained professional is your best bet. Take the time to shop around the compare prices and services in your area