Types of Garage Door Openers - Belt, Chain, and Screw

Belt Drive

The majority of homeowners consider a belt drive garage door opener to be the smoothest and quietest option. A belt drive functions much in the same way as a chain drive (which we will discuss below,) except that it features a belt instead of a chain. Using a belt eliminates the majority of the vibration and metallic grinding noise associated with a chain drive. Belt drives are typically made of rubber, polyurethane, or fiberglass. The downside to belt drive door openers is that they tend to have a higher cost than chain drives.

Chain Drive

Chain drives are the original garage door opener style, and still the most common to this day. A chain drive runs the garage door along a track, using a chain very similar to what is used in a bicycle. The main downside to chain drives, as mentioned above, is the noise level. A chain drive will produce more noise than either a belt drive or a spring drive, due to higher levels of vibration and noise caused by metal parts rubbing against each other. This is less of an issue on a detached garage, but you may want to consider another type of automated garage door opener for a garage door that is located underneath a bedroom in a house or other areas where the noise and vibration may cause a disturbance. Some people actually prefer the chain drive for their garage door, as it alerts them if the door is opening. Chain drive technology has improved over time to make the technology quieter, and these drives are still considered to be the most practical and cost-effective option.

Screw Drive

Screw drives are the final garage door opener that we will discuss. These drives operate in a very different manner than both chain and belt drives. A screw drive uses a screw-like threaded steel rod to raise and lower the door, rather than physically pushing or pulling the door using a belt or chain.A screw drive is one of the most simple and easiest garage door openers to maintain, although they are also the most expensive type of drive of the three discussed. One downside of a screw drive is that it can be quite sensitive to temperature differences, and this type of drive is not recommended in areas that experience a wide variation in temperature throughout the year.

Hopefully, this article has clarified the three main types of garage door openers available and the pros and cons of each. For additional information on garage door openers or to get a price quote and place your order, please contact us today!