Ready for a Belt-Drive Garage Door Opener?

Are you currently in the market for a new electric garage door opener? Are you not sure exactly what option will be the best for you? You aren’t alone. Many people have this question since there are so many different types of openers available. The drive mechanism on the door openers could be a screw model, the new Jackshaft model, a chain, or a belt‑drive. If you are wondering which of these options will likely be best for your needs, the title should have given that spoiler away already. However, even though the belt-drive is the one that is most often suggested, the one that you choose will ultimately depend on your specific requirements and applications

The Types of Motors

Before learning more about the openers themselves, it is important to consider the type of motor that is being used. There are both AC and DC motors used in garage door openers, and even though the function is the same, they are quite different. The direct current motor will start off slow, speed up, and then slow down before finishing the cycle. The AC motors will keep a constant speed throughout the open and close cycle. You might think that this means the AC motor is faster, but the differences in speed are negligible.

The biggest difference is in the noise. The DC motors will be a quieter option that could be a better solution, particularly if you have any bedrooms that are located near or above the garage. Another huge benefit is the DC motor’s ability to have a backup battery. These are essential in some areas.

How the Drive Works: The Basics

These door openers with a central trolley are installed above the center of the garage door. The belt that takes care of the opening and the closing of the door is made from quality rubber that has been reinforced using metal wires. If you are familiar with steel-belted radial tires, you will have a good idea of the durability of these belts. However, there are some makers who are using polyurethane or fiberglass to add support to their rubber. They are of equal durability and quality in most cases.

The rubber will travel along a T‑shape loop on the ceiling track. You can adjust the tension if needed, so it will operate properly. When the opener is activated, the belt will turn and the door will open or close. You will also need to choose the horsepower of the motor. If you have a large double garage door, then you will want a ¾‑horsepower motor. Those who have a single door will be just fine with the ½‑horsepower motor.

Something that you should keep in mind with your opener is that it is supposed to take place of manual labor. The spring system in the door counterbalances the weight, which means the perceived door weight is generally about 10 lbs. or less. If you find that your garage door opener is struggling to open the door, and if you can’t easily open the door with one hand, it could mean that you have a serious issue with the door balance that will need to be addressed.

What Makes the Belt‑Drive a Good Choice?

One of the biggest benefits of using the belt‑driven garage door opener instead of a chain drive, for example, is the noise factor. When you use the belt‑drive, it can be up to 25% to 30% quieter than the chain‑drive. This can help to improve the quality of life for anyone who happens to spend a lot of time in a room near the garage. Even better, it is possible to make it quieter when you choose LiftMaster’s 8550W.

The rubber belt drive has fluid movement, which means that it will not cause as many vibrations. By reducing those vibrations, it will also reduce the amount of shaking and noise that is transmitted into the home. This could be just what you have been looking to find.

Of course, you will want to consider that there is one slight drawback to the system. It is costlier than what you will find with other options on the market, such as the chain drive. However, many people believe that because they are able to reduce the noise so much, it is well worth the added cost.

Other Ways to Keep It Quiet

You can reduce the noise coming from the garage door opener in other ways, too. For example, you might want to secure the opener if it is mounted on to wood joists. You can do this by adding a strip of semi‑rigid rubber between the wood joist and the steel angle. You can also use nylon rollers. If you compare metal rollers, nylon ones are going to be quieter. If you have wood floors over in the bedroom above the garage, add some carpeting or rugs. You can also install a Jackshaft door opener, which tends to be very quiet, as well.

There are many things you can do that will help to keep the sounds down when the garage door opens and closes. If you have been having some issues with the noise transmission, try these out, and consider getting one of the better quality garage door openers. It has the potential to make quite a difference in your life. This is especially true for those who might be sleeping in a room near the garage. Take some time to talk with our professionals at Middlesex Door Systems.

What Comes Next?

Now that you can see some of the biggest benefits of installing a quality garage door opener, it is time that you got in touch. You can contact us at 1‑800‑696‑1926. We have been working in this field for quite some time, and we can provide you with the guidance and help you need when it comes to choosing the right garage door opener. We know and understand all of the brands that are on the market, and we can provide you with a recommendation that works for you and your budget. Get in touch and we can email you a quotation. We are ready to help.