When designing a garage door, you’d need to mindful of many things. Among many other things, choosing garage door opener type is often the most crucial.
If your preferred garage door opening system ends up not supporting the garage’s weight and width, you’d need to find an immediate replacement, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Chain-drive garage door opener has been around for a long time. Many households have implemented it throughout the country, and many garages still use this system daily. A Belt-drive system is a more modern garage door opening technology that relies on a belt instead of a chain. In fact, many homeowners are gradually switching to a belt-drive system for ease and noiseless operation.
Here is what you need to know about these two garage door opening technologies.
What is a Belt-Drive Technology?
Belt-drive technology for garage opener relies on a steel-reinforced rubber belt that drives the garage door operation. This type of electric garage door opener functions similarly to its predecessor chain-drive system but uses a belt instead of a chain to move the trolley.
Belt-drive systems also have fewer moving parts that make them an ergonomic and safe choice as the garage door opener.
The belt-drive technology doesn’t create noise or vibration like chain-drive technology. The belt provides quieter and smoother operation, making it a perfect choice for residential homes. It also doesn’t require frequent maintenance.
When to use Belt-Drive Garage Door Opener?
The belt drive garage door opener takes the lead when it comes to smoother and noiseless operation. Unlike chain-drive systems, there is no need for metal-to-metal contact and gear change with a belt-drive system.
The belt drive is well suited for homes with attached garages. The garages adjoining the bedrooms or common areas can benefit a lot from a quieter garage door opening system.
They can lift almost any type of residential garage door, single or double. They are just as reliable as a chain-drive for lighting heavy doors, but you must be wary about using a belt-drive for wooden doors that require more torque and strength.
Belt drive garage door openers also have an effective system that can push and pull the door faster than other garage door openers, typically at a rate of 7 or 8 inches per second.
If you have an attached garage and you’re willing to spend a little more, then you should definitely go with a belt-drive garage door opener.
Cons
- They aren’t great with lifting heavy doors.
- They cost slightly more than the chain-drive garage door openers.
- The rubber belt may also stretch out over time, which needs to be adjusted to ensure the right amount of tension is constantly applied.
What is Chain-Drive Technology?
Chain drive technology is the most common type of garage door opener. In fact, most households in the country still use chain-drive garage door openers in their garages.
A chain drive relies on a strong metal chain to operate the garage door. The mechanism is much similar to a chained bicycle where you paddle to push forward. However, chain drive technology does more than that. It can push the door down and pull the door open while maintaining the highest amount of safety.
They’re ergonomic and come with basic parts that don’t cost much money. When looked after, they can last for ages.
The chain and sprocket are made from high-tensile alloy steel. The chain used can be either single, duplex, or triple-strand, depending on the torque required.
When to use a chain drive garage door opener?
The chain drive garage door opener is well suited for a non-attached garage. If you don’t want the sound of chain-drive operating inside your house, you’d need to consider installing a different type of garage door opener.
It can operate any garage door type; hence, your answer is a chain-drive system if you have a heavy garage door. Most wooden doors, wide doors, and commercial garages use the chain-drive system to operate garage doors. They’re very effective at lifting all kinds of garage doors.
If you can avoid the slight noise and vibration produced by the chain-drive engine, this system is the best garage door solution for you.
Cons
- Chain-drive technology produces a lot of noise and vibration.
- It needs frequent lubrication and chain adjustment a few times a year.
- Garage doors on chain-drive systems typically bounce slightly as they move up the rail.
- Chain-drive openers aren’t as smooth as belt-drive system or screw drive system.
Final Verdict
Each homeowner will have a different need for their garage. Choosing either a belt-drive or chain-drive technology should entirely depend on your garage location, type of garage door, and budget.
Although belt-drives are smoother than chain-drive systems, chain-drive technology is still used in most garages worldwide. If you’re willing to spend a little more, you can go with a high-quality belt drive garage door opener.