These are the 10 most frequently asked questions from homeowners about our products when they purchase a garage door opener. Although you may have other questions, this list covers many of the most common concerns. Find out how to get your questions answered at the end.
How do I choose between the types of door openers that are on the market?
There are two types of garage door openers with a trolley on the market: chain drive or belt drive. The belt drive type has a metal-reinforced rubber belt, which is much quieter than a chain drive, which uses either a full chain or a combination of chain and metal cables. If you must choose the chain drive type, go with one with a full chain to get better quality.
What do the different sizes of motors mean?
There are two sizes of garage door openers available: either ½ or ¾ horsepower. (Side note: You may see European door openers with labels like 500 or 700 newtons of power. These are the equivalent to ½ or ¾ HP.) Which you’ll need depends on the weight of your garage door. A properly balanced door weighs between 8 and 10 lb. (3.5 and 4.5 kilos). But garage door openers that have as little as ¾ HP opener are calibrated to lift up to 350 pounds (160 kg). That also means that these door openers can push down this same weight, so be careful!
Where is the best place to buy a garage door opener?
You can find garage door openers at chain hardware stores or big box stores. However, these locations only stock door openers with the trolley that pulls the door made in three parts. This is not as long lasting as a garage door opener that works in a single piece, although it may not be a huge concern if you don’t open your door very often.
Buying your garage door opener from garage door specialists means that you’ll be working with professionals who are knowledgeable about all brands of door openers, due to installing and repairing most of them. The biggest reason to choose this option is that these professionals can recommend the right type of opener for your needs. They can also provide you with what is called the “professional” series of garage door openers, so you can trust the quality of the products.
Can I install a garage door opener myself?
If you are used to doing handiwork around the house, and the installation is straightforward, then yes, you can install a garage door opener on your own. However, trusting a specialized garage door technician can make it easier to trust the safety of your door. Expert installation technicians can ensure that everything is operating properly, especially for all of the safety systems that are built into your garage door system.
Will other people be able to open my garage door with their remote?
Many modern garage door openers have a control panel (instead of a “doorbell” button) that allows you to block any remote control from opening your door except your own. However, if you are traveling or will be away for a while, and want a 100% effective way to prevent anyone from opening your garage door, you can unplug the garage door opener. Then, when you come home, you’ll just have to spend two minutes reprogramming your remote.
Do I have to reprogram the remote after a power outage?
Yes, you will have to reprogram the remote if the garage door opener loses power and has no backup battery. It’s relatively easy to reprogram a remote based on the model. The instructions you need are located on the garage door opener unit.
Why is the garage door going down a few feet and then reversing when I try to close it?
Legal requirements in North America since 1993 have required that all garage doors have two automatic reversal systems, one mechanical and the other based on photocells. It’s the photocell system, which is installed on each side of the door, about 4 to 6 inches from the floor, that causes this behavior. The beam has been become misaligned, which causes the door to think something is blocking the path. Just realign the sensors to get everything working properly again.
Can I get a backup battery for power outages?
Some openers already have integrated backup batteries, like LiftMaster’s 8550W model. This can extend the operation (openings and closings) of the door for up to 20 hours in case of a power outage.
Can I control my garage door with a smartphone or tablet?
Internet apps are available for some brands of garage doors that allow you to control your door from anywhere in the world from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. It all works using a Wi-Fi connection and the MyQ app.
How much should I expect to spend on a garage door opener?
Professional-quality, ½-HP, belt-drive models can cost anywhere between $350 and $400, before the cost of installation. Professional installation can run between $100 and $125, which ensures that the garage door opener is properly installed and that all the safety systems are working correctly.
Can’t find your question on this list?
If you have other questions, contact us at 1-800-425-0662. We can provide experienced answers to anything you want to know. We can even send you a quotation by email.
Also, feel free to come meet with us in person at our showroom. Feel free to use our Design Centre to choose the style of door that suits you best. Also, take a look at our image gallery to get ideas and inspiration.
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