Chain, belt, screw and wall-mount drives
Garage door opener installation in Garland
The main choice is the drive. If a bedroom shares a wall with the garage, quieter is worth paying attention to. Before you buy, check that the opener suits your door's weight.
Drive types in plain terms
| Drive | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Chain | A metal chain pulls the trolley along the rail. | Usually the loudest of the common types. |
| Belt | A reinforced belt does the same job. | Quieter than a chain. |
| Screw | A threaded rod turns to move the trolley. | Ask how loud it runs and what upkeep it needs. |
| Wall-mount | The motor sits beside the door, not above the car. | It needs a suitable torsion bar and wall space beside the door. |
Ask to see the reverse test
Before the contractor leaves, ask to watch the door reverse when it hits a two-inch block on the floor. Federal rules require a reverse within two seconds of contact.
Source: CPSC garage door safety standard.
Questions before you buy
- Is there an outlet near the motor, or does one have to be added?
- Does the opener suit the door's weight, especially a new insulated door?
- Are the sensors, the wall control and at least one remote included?
- Does it have battery backup for power cuts?
- Does it connect to a phone app, and do you want that?
Adding an outlet or circuit is electrical work. Texas licenses electricians, and cities such as Rowlett and Sachse require a permit for electrical work, so ask who will do it and who pulls any permit.
Door stuck, or opener dead?
Call this number and tell the independent contractor you reach what the door is doing.