A garage door opener is something you use every day, so it is worth choosing one that suits your door, your household and your garage. The right opener is reliable, reasonably quiet and has the safety features you need.
This guide covers the main types, the features worth having and what to check before you buy.
The main drive types
Chain drive
A chain moves the door along a rail. Chain drives are a long-established design and are generally strong, but they tend to be noisier than other types.
Belt drive
A reinforced belt replaces the chain. Belt drives are usually quieter, which matters if there is a bedroom or living area next to or above the garage.
Screw and direct drive
Screw drives use a threaded rod, and direct drives use a motor that travels along the rail. Both have fewer moving parts. Ask about noise levels and how each suits your door.
Match the opener to your door
Openers are built for a range of door sizes and weights. A heavy or wide door, such as a large double sectional door, needs an opener with enough lifting capacity, and the door itself should be well balanced. An opener should not be used to make up for worn springs, so have springs checked first if the door feels heavy. Our guide to spring warning signs explains what to look for.
Features worth considering
- Battery backup: lets the opener keep working during a power outage.
- Rolling-code remotes: change the signal each time you use the remote, which helps security.
- Smartphone control: lets you open or close the door and check its status from an app.
- Soft start and stop: eases the door's movement and reduces wear and noise.
- Built-in light: lights the garage for a set time after each use.
- Extra remotes and keypads: useful for households with several drivers.
Safety features
Look for an opener with safety sensors across the doorway and an auto-reverse function that stops and reverses the door if it meets resistance. These should be tested regularly, and the maintenance guide below shows how.
Installation and setup
An opener needs to be set up correctly, including its travel limits and closing force, so that the door stops in the right place and reverses safely. This is one reason many people choose professional installation. If you are in Ipswich, our page on garage door motors and our page on remote controls explain what we offer.
Looking after your opener
Keep remotes in good order, replace batteries when needed and have unusual noises or hesitation checked early. Our garage door maintenance checklist includes simple opener checks.
Frequently asked questions
Is a belt drive opener better than a chain drive?
Belt drives are usually quieter, which helps if living space is near the garage. Chain drives are a proven, strong design. The best choice depends on your door and how much noise matters to you.
Can any opener be fitted to any garage door?
Not always. The opener must suit the door type, size and weight, and the door should be in good working order first.
What happens to an automatic door during a power cut?
Without battery backup, you will need to use the emergency release and lift the door by hand. A battery backup lets the opener keep working for a time.