It’s no secret that having a functional and reliable garage door opener is essential for the security and convenience of your home. After all, it’s not just about being able to access your house in an orderly manner or being able to drive into a sheltered area without having to exit the car and lift a heavy door, garage door openers are also crucial to better securing your home. With so many makes and models available, choosing the best garage door opener may seem daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. Keep these tips from our experts at Affordable Garage Door Fix in mind when choosing the perfect garage door opener for your home.
Tip #1: Horsepower is Crucial
While there are various factors to consider when choosing the best garage door opener, one of the most crucial is the horsepower capabilities, as it could be the difference in your opener’s lifespan. With three options to choose from—⅓, ½, and ¾ horsepower—it’s important to think about the weight of your garage door before purchasing. If affordability and moderate use are priorities, and you have a light garage door made of aluminum, ⅓ may be the way to go. However, if you’re looking for something that can handle heavier loads and has a longer lifespan, ½ is the most commonly purchased and gets you the most bang for your buck. For those with exceptionally heavy doors made out of wood, steel, etc., ¾ is often the best option, as it’s better suited for heavy loads.
Tip #2: Know The Legal Requirements
Garage door openers are responsible for lifting and carrying the weight of garage door, which is no small feat, no matter the material it is made from. To ensure the safety of everyone in the vicinity of these moving parts, there are legally required safety features on all new garage doors. These include the ability to lower the door at a speed of 7 inches per second, and a reversing mechanism that can quickly detect a moving door and reverse its direction within a mere couple of seconds. So if you’re shopping around for a garage door opener, don’t be swayed by brands trying to upsell these legally required safety features as they should already be included! Find the full list of safety requirements here.
Tip #3: Think Noise
Another key aspect that should not be overlooked is the noise level of the door itself when in operation. If the garage door is located close to a frequently used living area, such as the kitchen or bedroom, you’ll definitely want to opt for an opener that operates quietly and smoothly. A belt garage door opener is one of the most noiseless options available, utilizing a steel rubber belt system to move the door up and down. Additionally, a wall-mounted garage door opener may also serve as a viable solution, as it utilizes a tension spring, rope, and pulley system that is exceptionally quiet. To learn more about the best wall-mount garage door opener or belt garage door for your home, contact our team at Affordable Garage Door Fix.
Tip #4: Consider Openers With Smart Features For Added Convenience
These days, garage door openers are far more than machines that merely open and close garage doors. Thanks to advancements in technology, they’re becoming smarter than ever. For example, many garage door openers are coming equipped with WiFi capabilities so that you can control your garage door via a phone app. Additionally, some openers come with an automatic lighting feature and backup battery system, allowing the lights to turn on the moment you arrive home and the ability to open the door in a power outage. And if you have a Nest thermostat at home, there are even some openers that can interact with it to automatically turn on your thermostat when you pull up to the driveway. Lastly, for those who prioritize easy entry, there’s the option to integrate keyless entry pads.
Tip #5: Let A Pro Handle The Installation
At Affordable Garage Door Fix, we understand the importance of a functioning garage door opener and we have years of experience servicing the Salt Lake Valley. Not only can we help you determine which brand of garage door opener is best, but we can also handle every aspect of the installation process so that you don’t have to! Our team of experts is dedicated to providing the installation of garage door openers and other repair services with exceptional customer service. Contact us for a quote!
