When you’re in the market for a new garage door opener, it’s important to know what size you need. This guide will help you choose the right size garage door opener for your needs.
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Horsepower
The size of garage door opener you need depends on the size of your garage door. A one-horsepower garage door opener can lift a door that’s double-wide and 16 feet high. If you have a larger door, you’ll need a garage door opener with more horsepower.
1/2 HP
1/2 horsepower is plenty for most residential garage doors. If you have a double-wide door, an opener with a higher horsepower rating may be a better choice. If you have a very heavy door, an opener with a higher horsepower rating may be a better choice.
3/4 HP
A garage door opener with ¾ HP motor has enough power to open and close doors up to 375 pounds. This is a good choice for most standard-sized residential garage doors.
Door Size and Weight
Your garage door opener size needs to be powerful enough to lift your garage door. The size is determined by the door’s width and height, as well as the door’s weight.
Single or double garage door
Before you purchase a garage door opener, you need to know whether you have a single or double garage door. A single garage door is usually about 9 feet wide and 7 feet tall. A double garage door is usually about 16 feet wide and 7 feet tall. If you have a single garage door, you will need a 1/2 horsepower opener. If you have a double garage door, you will need a 3/4 horsepower opener.
Insulated or non-insulated door
There are two types of garage doors: insulated and non-insulated. The weight of the door will dictate what size opener you need.
-A non-insulated garage door typically weighs between 150 and 250 pounds.
-An insulated garage door generally weighs between 200 and 450 pounds.
-The most common size for a double garage door is 16 feet by 7 feet.
Drive Type
There are three types of garage door openers: chain-drive, screw-drive, and belt-drive. Chain-drive openers are the most common and the most economical. They are also the noisiest, so if your garage is attached to your house, you might want to consider a screw-drive or belt-drive opener instead.
Belt drive
Belt drive garage door openers are some of the quietest on the market. That’s because the steel-reinforced rubber belt that moves the trolley along the rail doesn’t create any vibration or noise as it operates. Belt drive units are also very durable and low-maintenance, making them a good choice for busy families or those who want to extend the life of their garage door opener.
One potential downside to belt drive garage door openers is that they tend to be more expensive than other types. But if you’re looking for a quiet, durable unit, a belt drive opener is a good choice.
Chain drive
Chain drive models are designed for doors weighing up to 550 pounds. Most 7-foot doors will fall into this category, but if you have a very heavy door, you may need a stronger opener. Usually, chain drives are less expensive than belt drives.
A chain drive opener uses a steel or reinforced rubber belt to move the trolley along the rail. The chain connects the trolley to the motor, which is located above the garage door. These models are usually more expensive than belt drives, but they’re also stronger and can lift heavier doors.
Features
A garage door opener is a motorized device that opens and closes a garage door. Openers are controlled using a remote control, keypad, smartphone, or even a voice assistant. There are different types of garage door openers available in the market, and the type you choose will depend on your needs and preferences.
Battery backup
If you live in an area with severe weather conditions, or if you simply want the peace of mind that comes with knowing your garage door will still work even if the power goes out, you need a opener with battery backup. This feature allows your opener to continue working for up to 20 consecutive cycles – or about four hours – even when the power is out.
Timer-to-close
Many garage door openers come with a timer-to-close feature. This allows you to set a designated amount of time (usually between 30 seconds and 4 minutes) that the opener will wait to close the door after it has been activated. This is a great safety feature, as it gives you time to get out of the way if the door is closing and you’re still in the garage. It’s also useful if you have pets or small children who might accidentally activate the opener.
Budget
The size of your garage door opener is important, but so is your budget. You want to make sure you have enough money to get the job done, but you also don’t want to spend more than you have to. There are a few things you need to keep in mind when budgeting for your garage door opener.
$100 – $200
In this price range, you can find an opener with medium horse power (HP). This is the most popular size for garage doors. You’ll also find openers that come with two remotes and entry keypads. If you have a smaller garage or double-car garage, this will be a good choice for you.
$200 – $300
In this price range, you can find a quality garage door opener with more features than some of the models in the lower price tiers. Expect to find openers with ½ horsepower motors and higher, as well as extra features like built-in WiFi, timers, and vacation settings. This is also where you start to see chain drive openers, which are generally more durable and require less maintenance than belt drive models.
$300 and up
Here are some high-end garage door openers that will give you the features and quality you want:
Chamberlain B970: This chain drive garage door opener is powerful and quiet. It’s from a reputable and well-known company, and it has great customer reviews. It’s also one of the more expensive options, but it’s worth the price if you want a top-of-the-line opener.
Genie SilentMax 1200: This belt drive garage door opener is also very quiet, making it a good choice if you have living space above or next to your garage. It comes with two remotes, an LED light, and a few other bells and whistles. It’s one of the more expensive options, but it’s a good choice if you want a top-of-the-line opener.
LiftMaster Elite Series 8500W: This garage door opener is WiFi enabled, so you can control it with your smartphone or other smart devices. It’s also very powerful and has a backup battery system in case of power outages.