There are quite a number of decisions to be made, but one that can’t be forgotten is whether you’ll have a belt or chain garage door opener.
When you’re replacing your garage door, there is likely a lot more going on in your life. That may be that you’re updating your home for renovations and want to match the garage door’s windows to the rest of the home’s windows. Or, your garage door might have failed after years of service and you figure it’s a good time to replace everything outright.
There are quite a number of decisions to be made, but one that can’t be forgotten is whether you’ll have a belt or chain garage door opener. This is a choice that can change how your garage door opener operates so it’s important that you know the major differences between the two.
How Do They Work?
As the name implies, a chain garage door opener uses a metal chain to get the door open. They’re one of the most common door openers out there due to their low cost and availability. On the other hand, drive openers use rubber belts to pull the door open or close. Either way, you’re using a mechanism to pull the door open and closed so it’s really a matter of what’s doing it—a belt or a chain.
Comparing Costs
If you’re looking to save, go with a chain garage door opener. They’re inexpensive, reliable, and have been used for many years. If you get a garage door installed without looking too much into it, it’s likely that they’re using a chain opener. While belt drives might be more expensive up front, they can end up providing you with savings over time. This is because there’s less friction in a belt system and it should last you longer.
What’s Stronger?
While these two kinds of garage door openers function in a similar way, a chain drive is going to be stronger. If you need to lift a heavier door, this might be a factor that could sway you one way or the other but shouldn’t be a factor with lighter doors. Chain drives can also be better for larger, two or three car garages where you typically find heavier doors. A belt drive might be advisable if you only have a single car garage door.
What About Noise?
No one likes a noisy garage door, especially if you have sleeping babies or work from home. This is another win for belt drives as they’re the quietest option around. However, some people do enjoy having some sound come from their garage door so they know who is coming and going. It’s a matter of personal preference.
Let First Choice Garage Doors Find The Right Door For You
Since 2004, First Choice Garage Doors has been providing quality service in Maryland, Delaware, Northern Virginia, and Pennsylvania. We offer services like garage door installation and replacement, as well as maintenance and repair. We specialize in the repair and maintenance of garage doors and their accessories. Here at First Choice Garage Doors, we work with top manufacturers in the industry, including Amar Entrematic, Clopay, Wayne Dalton, and Artisan.