When installing a garage door, you should be mindful of the appropriate door opener required to lift that door. A heavy garage door, likely made out of wood or glass, will need a door opener that can withstand heavy weights and wear and tear.
Some of the most reliable door-opening technologies that can solve most of your garage door safety problems are the Screw-driven garage door opener and belt-drive garage door opener. Each has the upper hand when it comes to operating certain types of garage doors.
Be mindful about choosing the right garage door opener because if it fails to support your garage’s weight and width, you’d need to find an immediate replacement that can be costly and time-consuming.
What is a Screw-driven Garage Door Opener?
Screw-drive technology uses a screw or threaded rod attached to a trolley with an arm that operates with the motor’s motion. The trolley rides on a threaded-steel rod as a motor rotates the rod. When it works, the trolley either moves towards the motor to pull open the door or away from it to push the door down.
Does it suit your garage door?
Screw-drive garage door openers are perfectly suited for doubles-sized, heavy garage doors likely made out of wooden or glass material. Operating heavy doors require more torque that is easily provided by screw-drive technology.
It’s also one of the least used garage door openers because it emits a lot of noise. However, with an improved design and lubrication in screw-drive machines, you can cut a lot of noise.
Pros & Cons of screw drive door opener
- It’s a compact-sized machine with a lot of torque that can easily lift the heaviest doors. It perfectly fits low-ceiling garages and can operate with fewer problems.
- It’s one of the most comfortable garage door openers that you can install on any garage door.
- It’s ideal for large and heavy doors such as double garage doors. Because of the efficient mechanism, it wears down a lot less than other garage door openers.
- Yes, noise is one of the complaints about screw-drive technology. Although you can cut on a lot of noise by installing quality screw-drive door openers, it will still produce some noise that can be a nuisance for attached garages (garages attached to the home)
- You’d need to be mindful about using lubricant because you must use only quality lubricant with white lithium or minerals for a screw-drive garage door opener.
What is a Belt-Drive Garage Door Opener?
The Belt-drive garage door opener uses a steel-reinforced rubber belt to pull open or push down the garage door. Belt-drive garage door opener functions similarly to its predecessor, chain-drive system, but with an exception. It relies on a belt instead of a metal chain.
The Belt-drive system also uses fewer moving parts that make it an ergonomic and safe choice for a garage door opener. It’s a more durable and efficient choice for any garage door safety system.
Does it suit your garage door?
Choosing a belt-drive garage door opener is a wise choice. It takes the lead when it comes to smoother and noiseless operations. It’s well suited for homes with attached garages (garages adjoining the bedrooms or common areas inside the house). You can benefit a lot from a quieter garage door opening system in your home.
Pros & Cons of belt drive garage door opener
- One of the significant advantages of belt-drive technology is that there’s no metal-to-metal contact, which reduces the noise to almost nil. It doesn’t create noise or vibration like screw-drive technology; hence it’s well suited for attached garages.
- Because of its well-to-do-design, it costs slightly more than other types of garage door openers. If you have an attached garage and you’re willing to spend a little more, then you should consider a belt-drive garage door opener.
- It can lift almost any type of residential garage door, single or double. Although it isn’t as reliable as a screw-driven garage door opener for lifting heavy doors, it can still operate most garage door types found worldwide. Check with the manufacturer to buy a belt-drive door opener with more torque motor and heavy strength.
- One of the disadvantages of using the belt-drive door opener is that the belt can stretch over time, which will require adjustments to ensure the right amount of tension is continuously applied. In some cases, it may require replacement. Hence, It isn’t as effective as screw-drive or chain-drive technology that uses high-grade alloy steel to withstand wear and tear.
Final Verdict
Choosing either a belt-drive or screw-drive garage door opener depends on your garage location, type of garage door, and budget.
The two garage door openers use entirely different door opening mechanisms that use different sets of tools. If you want a more efficient system with a smoother operation, a belt-drive garage door opener should be your primary choice. It costs slightly more, but that wouldn’t overinflate your budget.
If you want a garage door opener that lasts longer, provides more torque to lift heavy doors, and less maintenance, then a screw-drive door opener is your solution.