Answers to Your Top 10 Questions About Garage Door Openers

As a garage door company, we field a lot of questions about garage door openers. From what type of opener to purchase to why a certain problem is occurring, we’ve heard it all. We want to share with you the top 10 questions we get about garage door openers, and our answers. Hopefully this satisfies some of your own curiosity regarding door operators and how they work.

1. How Many Different Garage Door Openers Exist?

There are a few different types of garage door openers that you can invest in. The one that you choose will be determined by the kind of garage door you have, but other factors like noise and budget also come into play.

A chain-based garage door opener is one option for opening and closing your garage door. They’re strong and they’re also affordable. You can also opt for a belt drive garage door opener that uses a belt instead of a chain. They’re extremely quiet, which is beneficial if you have a bedroom that’s right above the garage, but can cost a little more.

2. What is the Cost of a Garage Door Opener?

There is a pretty vast range of garage door opener prices. You can buy a basic unit for just over $100, but there are more powerful openers that come with many different features which will cost you upwards of $500. A professional can help you determine what you need without spending too much money.

3. Can I Buy My Own Garage Door Opener?

You can find garage door openers online and at a number of retail stores. However, working with a garage door professional will ensure that you get the right type of opener for your garage door, your home, and your budget. The quality is usually much better when you source your opener from the pros.

4. Does the Motor Size Matter?

There are different motor sizes available when selecting a garage door opener, and you have to take into account the weight of your door when making a selection. The two most common garage door opener motors are a ½ horsepower variety and a ¾ horsepower variety. The more powerful option can usually handle a lift of 350 pounds, which is on the higher end of the spectrum. If you have a lightweight door, something less powerful should suffice.

5. Is It Easy to Install a Garage Door Opener?

Some homeowners are skilled enough to install their own garage door opener. However, this might be a more complex process than you think. Rather than get frustrated or risk installing the unit the wrong way, give the experts a call.

6. Does a Garage Door Opener Negatively Impact Safety?

Garage doors can be an entry point for an intruder to enter your home or to steal some of your belongings that are stored in that space. A garage door opener doesn’t mean that your garage is less secure (seeing as how you don’t normally manually lock the garage door when an opener is in place). As long as the unit has been installed properly, it’s very difficult to open the door uninvited. Also, there are a lot of newer, smart garage door openers that allow you to monitor the status of your door from your phone. You can schedule a time of day for the door to close (in case you forgot), and you can even turn off your opener to avoid someone from hacking in.

7. How Do I Reprogram My Garage Door Opener?

There are certain situations that may warrant you having to reprogram your garage door opener. For example, the power going out may have reset certain features. You should have received a manual for your garage door opener that will walk you through these steps, since the process varies by manufacturer. This manual is also an important resource for learning more about your opener’s features.

8. Why Does My Door Keep Closing Partially but Goes Back Up?

Many garage door openers come with a wall-mount sensor that will detect if something is in the way of the door closing. This is a safety feature that protects people and items from getting crushed by the weight of the door. Your opener may have detected something is in the way, resulting in the door not closing all the way. Check to see if the area is clear before you start troubleshooting further.

9. What Do I Do If the Power Goes Out?

If you live in an area that often experiences power outages and still want the option of being able to open your door, you should consider a garage door opener that comes with a battery backup system. This usually provides you with approximately 24 hours of opening and closing your door normally. Though, most battery backups cause the door to open and close a bit slower than normal.

10.Can I Use My Garage Door Opener with My Phone?

You can invest in one of the many smart garage door openers that are available if you want to use your phone to control your garage door, but there are separate smart units that can attach to your current opener as an add-on feature. They’re actually quite affordable and tend to increase the safety and convenience of your home.