Most garages can benefit from having the garage door automated so that it does not require manual opening and closing. In some cases this is especially important – especially in areas where hijacking is a factor. Automated garage doors can be opened and closed without anybody having to get out of a vehicle before being safety inside, and in adverse weather conditions it is also a lot more convenient to be able to get into the shelter of the garage before alighting.
There are of course many types of garage doors and they can all be automated by using an opener. The doors themselves are normally made of metal or timber, and as they can be quite heavy, powerful openers are required. It is common for the garage door and the opener to be purchase individually, or to install a garage door and to then have it automated by a specialist, who will inspect the door and determine which opener would be the most suitable.
There are various types of openers that can be used to automate a garage door. These include:
1. Chain operated openers: these are the most popular and the cheapest kind of opener that can be used to automate garage doors. They are easy to install but can be noisy to run and can require a lot of maintenance. As this type of opener has many component parts, it can be prone to quicker wear and tear, and the parts can wear out easier than other openers.
2. Screw operated garage openers: These are slightly more expensive than the chain operated option but do not make as much noise when operated. These openers tend to have only a few component parts which means that the upkeep or maintenance of this opener is not significantly prone to wear, and require little long term care. They are very powerful and can open a door the quickest.
3. Belt operated doors: These are almost soundless but can be pricey. They work in the same manner as the chain opener, but a quiet rubber belt is used instead of a chain. These also have a lot of parts which require some maintenance.
4. Torsion sprung: These are the most pricey and can be used in small spaces, but are not easily available. They can also be erratic, and require lots of maintenance.
