What makes a good garage system?
January 30th, 2011Whether just looking into a new garage door opener or buying one for the first time, there are a few simple things you need to know before you will be certain that you made the best garage door opener available on the market.
Be sure to know how heavy the door you want to lift is, and how much you are set to spend on the opening system. Keeping these things of their function and design in mind can help narrow down your options and permit you make the most informed decision.
There are three different kinds of openers, and depending on your budget, needs and space allotment, one should fit your needs quite nicely.
These three types are called the Screw Drive System, Rubber Belt System, and the Chain Drive System.
A chain drive is the most accepted option for housing use on one and two door garages. It uses a metal chain on a trolley and is usually easy to install. It may require readjustments as the metal chain can become wobbly from wear. If this does happen, it will only require the readjustment once or twice a lifetime. It is a bit loud for some people’s taste, but it does the trick. To assist with noise reduction find a opener that soundproofs the chains.
An additional type of opening system is termed the belt – driven system. These are regarded by industry insiders as the top types of garage door openers. These systems are the most dependable of all opening systems. In addition, for those of us who are looking for systems that are not very ear-splitting, these opening systems are virtually silent. They are, however, are more pricey than chain systems. If you are looking for something that is useful but is also quiet and are open to paying a bit more for this convenience, a belt-driven set of doors may be for you.
The Screw Drive System is the slowest of the three types of drives. It gets its name from its working method which uses a long screw attached to a rail in order to move the trolley. It is louder than the shatterproof rubber belt system, but it is the strongest method. If you have a heavy one panel garage door, the screw drive system would most likely be the door you’d select.
Now that you’ve had a high level overview of the types of systems out there in the market, here are the top three 3 picks for 2011:
1. SOMMER Direct Drive 3/4 HP Garage Door Opener
3. Genie 1022
Selecting the best garage door opener is a matter of mechanism preference, budget, and suitability to your needs. Read the full review to help you make an informed decision and determine which is the best garage door opener for you.

