How Chain And Belt Drives Work
Chain drive garage door opener uses a metal chain to open the garage door. These are widely used since they are affordable and easily available. This garage door opener works by moving gears and metal parts together.
It uses a chain running assembly unit attached to tension springs that lift the garage door up and down. Belt drive garage openers use a rubber belt to open the garage door. Like a chain drive, the belt drive operates by moving the rubber belt. The rubber belt is used to slide the trolley when the door is triggered to open or close the door.
Choosing The Best Garage Door Opener
As any homeowner knows, there are a million unexpected choices to make when it comes to the details of your home. The garage might not even cross your mind until something breaks, but there are choices about your garage door opener youll need to think about.
The two main types of overhead garage openers are chain drive and belt drive openers. They both function mostly the same the main difference is in whether a metal chain and gears or a rubber belt are moving the door up and down. Depending on your priorities, both are excellent choices!
If youre replacing an older garage door opener, chances are you have a chain drive opener. Their affordability and reliability have made them a top choice for years – however, belt drive openers are becoming increasingly popular due to their durability, silence, and speed.
Here are some factors to consider as youre choosing the best opener for your needs:
How To Program A Garage Door Opener
Garage door openers have settings to adjust the maximum opening height. These are typically found on the opener housing. Programming to sync with handheld remotes and built-in car remotes will vary by manufacturer. It usually involves a sequence of pressing and holding the desired button to clear any codes and store the new one. Additional steps to connect the opener to your home Wi-Fi network and a corresponding smartphone app are usually completed in a few minutes.
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Chain Vs Belt: Which Garage Door Opener Is Best
Youre replacing your garage door to bring your home together. Maybe youre matching your new windows or doing an update before you put in on the market.
Youre making lots of decisions right now but theres the one you didnt expect: how do you choose between chain and belt drives?
Read on to find out which garage door opener is best for you.
Belt Drive Garage Door Openers
What it is: For many people, belt drives are considered to be the most luxurious option because of their sleekness and relative low level of noise. Belt drive openers use the same mechanisms as chain drive openers, with the exception that instead of a chain, they use a belt largely eliminating the vibrations and noises associated with chain drive openers. The belts are typically made from fiberglass, steel-reinforced rubber or polyurethane.
The advantages: Belt drive garage openers are the quietest types of openers , although they tend to cost just a bit more than the chain option.
Here at Doormatic, we will only ever provide you with our honest advice and explain to you the pros and cons of the different types of garage door openers. If you have any further questions in regards to these different openers, or even just garage doors in general, then please do not hesitate to give us a call. We will 100% provide you with non-nonsense advice that will set you on the right track to making an informed decision because the choice is yours, and we wouldnt have it any other way.
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How Do I Know The Garage Door Is Safe After I Did The Installation
If you followed a DIY guide from the internet, it is good to test out the garage door opener in all aspects. Generally, itâs a good practice to use the manufacturerâs guide to self-install a garage door opener. If you are not sure, get a technician.
Normally, if you have followed every instruction in the product manual well, the garage door opener should be working fine. Some manufacturers include a troubleshooting guide for you.
Verdict On The Best Screw Drive Garage Door Opener
From our review, the best screw drive garage door opener is the Genie 3064. It is the only one with a battery backup, keeping your garage door working during power outages. In this section, we explore some questions that you may still have about the best LiftMaster garage door opener, just the way you would ask them.
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How Does A Screw Drive Garage Door Opener Work
They use a threaded rod attached to a track running from the opener to the door. The threaded rod is also attached to a trolley. The trolley extends an âarmâ that is fastened to the garage door. When the door opens or closes, the motor turns the threaded rod. The trolley then moves around the rod. The arm then raises the door to open it or lowers it, closing it.
Which Is More Efficient: Belt Or Chain
Chain drive openers are more efficient. They can provide higher amounts of strength for much less money and thus are frequently selected for larger doors and deserted areas. In deserted areas, its better to have a steel carriage for extra protection, which is something that chain drives have no issue lifting.
A chain would outlast a belt with adequate maintenance, albeit the regular use makes a difference. Chain drive openers, like belt drive openers, are available with 1/2 hp to 3/4 hp motors, offering enough power for all of our household garage door models.
Chains have better tensile strength and lifting capability than belts and are commonly utilized on home garage door openers. In some applications, they may also endure longer. The chain is attached with an adjustable clip and powered by a sprocket on top of the motor, similar to how belts are installed.
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Potential Drawbacks Of Chain Garage Door Openers
Chain-driven garage door openers also have a couple of disadvantages, which weve listed below:
- Noise: Many people believe they create excessive noise. A noisy garage door is an annoyance that some people would rather avoid. Because this system uses a chain drive, the constant metal-on-metal movement can produce unpleasant noises. This is especially aggravating if your garage is connected to a bedroom, kitchen, or living area.
- Higher Maintenance: Garage door openers with chain drives need to be serviced on a regular basis. Keep the drive chain on these pieces of equipment greased, so they continue functioning smoothly.
Is It Time To Replace Your Garage Door Opener
If your current opener doesnt quite match the needs of your automatic garage door, make haste, and switch it out.
Mismatched garage doors and openers are a recipe for disaster as they could lead you to incur huge losses or suffer personal injuries.
With the help of a skilled professional, you can switch from a chain drive to a belt drive motor if you need to keep the noise down. Alternatively, you can install a chain drive if your garage door is wider and heavier than the standard sizes.
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Should I Replace My Chain Drive For A Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
The weight of the door is the most significant factor to consider when deciding on a garage door opener.
Opt for the chain drive for larger doors, including 2- and 3- car garage doors and heavy wooden ones. They are equipped to handle all types of garage doors with ease.
When you have a 1- car or lightweight 2- car garage door, belt drives are the way to go if youre willing to spend a little extra money.
While theyre the more expensive option, belt drives make up for it with low maintenance requirements. Youll rarely have to service your belt drive in the 10+ years of its expected lifespan.
Chain belt drives, in comparison, are more prone to issues due to friction from their metal components. Youre more likely to have to repair chain drives, and their lifespan is generally shorter than their belt alternative.
For your 1- car garage, youll find the belt drive system is superior. Not just from its low maintenance but from its quietness and ease of use.
Because the system uses a rubber belt, this garage door opener is virtually silent. Its excellent for houses with bedrooms above the garage or for anyone who hates the jarringly loud sounds of a chain drive garage door. They can also be fitted with smart technology so you can open and close the door from a device like your cellphone.
Verdict: Best Chain Drive Garage Door Opener Overall Is The Liftmaster 8587w
The LiftMaster 8587w takes the top spot as the best chain drive garage door opener. With a ¾ HP motor capable of lifting extremely heavy doors, a Security+ 2.0 run on MyQ app and added automatic reverse system, this opener surely is a must-have if you are looking for a chain drive opener.
We also like the fact that itâs easy to install, very strong, has automatic reversing abilities and comes packed with superior security features enhanced with Security+ 2.0.
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The Genie Powerlift 900 Screw Drive Garage Door Opener
What we liked most
- Can lift heavy doors â up to 500 lbs.
Cons
- They are a bit noisy
- The small remotes can be easy to misplace
- If you have owned older Genies, you may find this one a little âweaker.â A plastic coupler links the motor and the screw drive. This could easily get damaged.
- During power outages, you might have to reset your up/down limit settings.
- It may be affected by changes in the weather
Verdict
The Powerlift 900 is a bit noisy and has some design flaws. For example, the C-Channel is made from galvanized sheet metal, which makes it vulnerable. It could also be affected by the weather, especially during winter.
Power outages may reset the up or down limits. If your door gets stuck for any reason, the Powerlift 900 cannot read its position correctly. If you try to reverse, you might damage the C-Channel.
Liftmaster 1/2 Hp Chain Drive Opener
In the chilling cold of winter or a heavy downpour, theres no faster way to get into your house than through an attached garage assuming, of course, that your garage is equipped with a garage door opener to quickly open and close the door when needed.
And in the Greater Toronto Area of Toronto, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Markham, Aurora, Vaughan and Maple, SMART DOORS has provided the widest selection of garage door openers anywhere since 2002. For more than a decade, weve earned and retained more satisfied customers than any of our competitors for a few simple reasons: We provide the best sales, installation and ongoing service at reasonable rates that cant be beaten.
Our company is the premier provider of commercial and residential electric openers and overhead doors in the Toronto suburbs, and weve also made our mark through value added services, such as general maintenance, servicing different types of doors, and online shopping services through our website. Part of what sets us apart from the competition is our commitment to educating customers about their options, so if you have questions, simply ask and well have an answer.
About Us
SMART DOORS is the Greater Toronto Areas premier contractor for electric residential garage doors and commercial garage doors and openers since 2002.
Please visit us online for more information on sales, service and installation, or call 905-532-9770 for a free consultation.
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Chain Vs Belt: Strength
As previously mentioned, these two styles function the same. One difference is that chain drives are simply stronger: they can lift more than a belt drive. This makes them the choice for moving heavier doors, so consider them if youre going with a steel carriage. But this wont be a factor with lighter door models.
Go with a chain drive if you have a 2-car garage door. Chain drives have the strength to lift a two car and three car garages without any trouble. On the other hand, a belt drive will have trouble lifting garage doors made from heavy wood, two or three car garage doors and anything thats heavier for the recommended weight.
If you have a one car garage door then going with a belt drive will get the job done. Nevertheless, belt drives have made long strides in construction and finding a belt drive thats capable of operating on any door is available. However, they are not easily available, and youll end up spending more money on one.
Chain Driven Garage Door Openers
Most consumers are choosing not to have chain driven garage door openers installed, which has led to a change in retail sales focus for large corporations. Chain drives are rarely available even at your typical home improvement stores. There are models that account for the growing demand for wood faced, or overlay garage doors. These garage doors are much heavier- up to twice as heavy. For this reason, a heavy-duty chain drive can be quite practical for such applications.
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What Can A Smart Garage Door Opener Do
- Use your smartphone to remotely control your garage door or gate via Wi-Fi or over the Internet.
- Control your garage door or gate with real time video.
- Check if your garage door or gate is open or closed.
- Use Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT or Samsung SmartThings to operate the garage door or gate.
- Check who opened or closed the garage door or gate.
- Use your Apple Watch and Siri Shortcuts to operate the garage door or gate.
- Manage your garage door or gate access remotely by user, time, door and also by location.
- Open the garage door or gate automatically when you arrive to your home .
- Schedule when the garage door or gate should automatically open and close.
Belt Drive Vs Chain Drive Garage Door Opener: Which Is Best
The sort of drive system for your garage door is something you dont think about often while searching for garage door openers. However, you will notice subtle differences because belt drive openers are usually smoother than chain drive openers. For example, one may be quieter while the other may have more strength to lift heavier garage doors.
A belt drive garage door opener is ideal if you value convenience and easy maintenance. Belt drives are also quieter however, they cost more than a chain drive. Chain drives are more affordable, durable, and stronger theyre better for two-car garages or larger. A chain drive will also last an average of 15 years five years longer than belt drives.
In this article, we will compare chain drive garage door openers to belt drive so that you can understand which is more ideal for your situation. Lets get started!
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Which Is The Best Garage Door Opener
While most experts consider belt drives to be a superior product, they tend to overlook many granular factors that are important to the homeowner.
To get the perfect garage door opener, you must account for your needs and personal preferences. Heres a detailed breakdown of the most crucial factors and how the chain and belt drive stack up.
Types Of Garage Door Openers
Most openers hang from the garage ceiling. A rail runs from the opener and a chain, belt or long steel screw moves the trolley and the arm that attaches to the door.
- Chain drive is the most affordable and least quiet. Its a bad choice if bedrooms or a work-from-home office are over the garage. The chain needs to be lubricated twice a year.
- Screw drive uses a threaded rod to move the traveler, arm and door. The unit is compact and delivers a lot of power to open doors quickly. Its quieter than a chain-drive opener. The screw needs regular lubrication. Market share is modest.
- Belt drive is quiet. The belt doesnt need maintenance. Replacing a broken belt is easier than a broken chain. Chain- and belt-drive openers are the vast majority of the market with belt-drive gaining share as the price delta closes.
- Wall mount installs to the left or right of the garage door. Its very quiet. It needs about 12 inches between the garage-door edge and the side wall.
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Chain Drive Garage Openers
As the name suggests, chain driven garage openers use chain on door to operate the garage. These are the choice model in residential garages because they are cheap and readily available.
The unit uses a pair of garage door chains attached to an assembly unit on one end and torsion springs on the other to raise and lower the garage doors. The chains resemble bicycle chains but have a higher tensile strength.
Because of their high tensile strength, you can use chain drive openers on all types of residential garage doors, large and small.
If you want to know how do I fix my garage door opener chain, or if you want to know how long does a chain drive garage door opener last, the best thing to do is to