Guide to Garage Door Openers by Middlesex Door Systems

You probably already know that electric garage door openers make life easier. This is especially true when a storm decides to open up as soon as you open the door to your vehicle. Most electric door openers last a long time and don’t need to be replaced very often, but sometimes an opener reaches the end of its life, requiring you to get a new one. Sometimes a part may also go out and need replacing. In that case, knowing the terms used by a garage door specialist can make it easier to discuss what you need.

Many people are surprised to find out that the majority of service calls are actually related to the garage door opener or some part of it. Garage door specialists are very skilled in replacing and readjusting some part of the opener, do to having so many requests related to them.

The Actual Door Opener

We’ll begin by going over the different types of door openers and what makes them distinct from each other.

• Models: There are two popular models, known as the chain drive and the belt drive. The chain drive has a metal chain like you would find on a bicycle while the belt drive uses a rubber belt that has steel fibers for reinforcement. The belt drive is the quieter of the two.
• Type: There are also two types of door openers, which are AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current). Alternating current is most often used as it is cheaper than the alternative. Direct current starts slowly, increases speed, then slows down again. This type of opener can utilize a backup battery.
• Power Level: While there are numerous power levels, the most popular are ½ HP and ¾ HP. The ½ is best for most garage doors because a properly balanced door weights about eight or ten pounds (3.5 to 4.5 kg). With this weight, a single door can open it, so ½ HP is just fine for doing the lifting.
• The Trolley pulling or pushing the door: Once again, you’ll see there are two options. The pulling type is a one‑piece trolley, which is sturdier, while the other is composed of three pieces bolted together.
• Other Major Components mainly include the gear system, which in most cases are made from a hard plastic. This is another instance where having a properly balanced door is important. If the door is not balanced the way it should be, the gears will receive too much pressure and wear out quickly.
• Finally, we have the Electronics. Similar to the majority of home appliances, everything is operated using electronics. The operation of the motor is controlled by the opener logic board. It also controls the safety mechanisms of the opener and the signals to open or close. In the event that the logic board burns out, which can happen after an electrical surge, it is important that it be changed.

Accessories for the Opener

There are a few simple accessories that come standard with all door openers, so we’ll go over those first:

• Automatic reversal systems: Since 1993, door openers sold in North America are required to come equipped with dual safety devices. The first is mechanical, when means if the door is closing and the motor notices a resistance, it will stop and reverse direction. The second is photoelectric and uses two sensors on each side of the door. If something breaks the beam between the sensors, the door will stop and start to reverse direction.
• Remote controls: Homeowners are always concerned about home security, which means nobody wants to have the signal from their remote picked up by someone unsavory. The good news is this is no longer a problem. As of 1993, every garage door opener uses rolling code technology, which means that a new code is sent each time the remote is used.
• Control panels: Garage door openers come with either a door control button or a control panel. This is installed near the access door that leads into your home. Choosing a control panel can be an intelligent choice, this allows you to block remotes from accessing your door during a long absence.

There are plenty of low‑cost optional features to be aware of as well:

• Wi‑Fi connectivity: You may not be aware of this, but this technology applies to garage door openers. You can open, close, and monitor the use of your garage door from any location using a simple app on your smartphone or tablet.
• Mini remote: This type of remote can attach easily to your keys. Having it with you at all times also makes it less likely that a thief can get ahold of it as they could with a visible remote on your visor.
• Exterior keypad: This is located on the outside frame of the garage and allows you to enter a 4‑digit PIN code to access your house. This is a great option for anyone, but especially children, and doesn’t require the use of a hidden house key that someone else could come upon.
• Laser parking accessory: This is an item that can tell you when to stop the car inside the garage. It’s a great alternative to the conventional tennis ball on a string option that some employ.

Find Out More

If you find yourself needing more information about a term in this blog or if you require more in‑depth information about garage door openers, you can get in touch with us at 1-800-696-1926. We are also happy to email you a detailed quotation or visit you at home to explain the many choices of garage door openers on the market. We can also thoughtfully advise you on the best choice based on your tastes and budget. If you decide to change your garage door, you can get a good idea of what a new door will look like by using our design center, or get some inspiration from our image gallery.