Things You Need to Know About Garage Door Openers Before Buying

Garage doors have come a long way from heavy manual roll-up doors. Today's openers make the door easy to use, add safety and security features, and come in options for almost any door. A professional installation usually takes a few hours.

Popular Opener Brands

LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Genie, Linear, Craftsman and SkyLink are among the best-known brands. We install LiftMaster and Chamberlain openers and repair all major brands.

Drive Types for Home Openers

• Chain drive: the most common and least expensive. A metal chain pulls the door; strong and reliable, but noisier.
• Belt drive: a reinforced rubber belt instead of a chain. Much quieter, so it's the best choice when there's a bedroom or living space above or beside the garage.
• Screw drive: a motor turns a threaded steel rod that moves the door. Fewer parts and often quick, but usually louder than a belt drive and needs the rod greased.
• Wall-mount (jackshaft): mounts beside the door and turns the torsion bar directly. Nearly silent and keeps the ceiling clear.

Commercial Door Operators

Commercial doors use heavier-duty operators, chosen by door type:

• Trolley operators: mount on the ceiling like a home opener; for standard sectional doors.
• Jackshaft operators: mount beside the door and drive the shaft; for sectional doors with high-lift tracks, rolling doors, grilles and shutters.
• Hoist operators: a jackshaft-style operator with a built-in hoist (manual backup); for heavy industrial doors.
• Slide operators: for single and bi-parting sliding doors and sliding fire doors.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

• How heavy is the door? Heavier and insulated doors need a stronger motor.
• How quiet does it need to be?
• Do you want smartphone control, a camera or battery backup?
• Is the ceiling high, low or sloped?

Need an Opener in Coquitlam?

GVA Garage Doors repairs and replaces openers in Coquitlam and across Greater Vancouver. Save $50 on any new opener installation. Call 604.398.4009.