Worried about choosing the right garage door opener for your new garage or a garage door replacement? Here are some of the best options to choose from.
Installing the garage door opener entirely depends on the type of garage door, garage location, and budget. If you want a strong, quick, and affordable garage door, then the screw drive garage door opener is best for you. They use fewer parts and are very effective in operating large wooden garage doors.
Let’s take a look at how you can benefit from a screw-driven garage door opener.
What is screw-driven Technology?
The screw drive technology is the most complex of the garage door opener mechanisms. It uses a threaded row or screw-drive fixed into a track supported by a trolley and motor to operate any garage door. When it operates, the trolley either moves towards the motor or away from it.
Only a few homeowners used screw-driven technology in their garages because it produced a lot of noise. However, with improvements in design screw-driven system is getting quieter and smoother. Some screw-drive openers operate faster than both belt-drive and chain-drive technology, opening a door at 10- to 12-in. per second compared to the standard 6- to 8-in. per second.
They are well suited for doubles-sized, wooden/glass garage doors that require a lot of torque.
If your screw-driven garage door opener starts making a lot of noise, it’s time to lubricate it with machine oil. Don’t worry about replacing machine parts because it experiences less wear and tear than other garage door openers.
How does the screw drive door operate?
Screw-drive technology is based on 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.
It uses a screw drive that is fixed into a track that runs the opener to the garage door. A trolley is attached to the screw drive and extends an arm (either straight or curved) to the door. The motor turns the screw drive, and the trolley moves along the rod, either pulling towards the motor to open the gate or moving it away to lower the door.
It employs fewer moving parts; hence it requires less maintenance and replacement over time. The many problems related to older screw-drive technology were noise, temperature sensitivity (that have large swings in temperature from summer to winter), and frequent lubrication. However, the new and upgraded models have eliminated these problems using forged metal painted with temperature resistant coating lubricated with lithium-based grease for smoother operation.
Advantages of using Screw-driven technology
Using a screw-driven garage door opener in your garage comes with many benefits.
- Size -Screw-drive technology boasts of a compact size. It’s well suited for garages with a low ceiling. Although compact in size, a comparably sized screw-drive opener can lift the heaviest doors because it offers more torque.
- Sound – A screw drive opener is much quieter than a chain-drive opener because it uses a more efficient transfer of power while lifting or closing the door.
- Easy to Install – Screw-drive door openers are easier to install and take less time than installing belt-drive or chain-drive openers.
- Ideal for large doors – Along with lifting small garage doors, screw-drive openers can smoothly open even the largest doors, such as wooden and glass doors.
- Cost-effective – Screw-drive openers are typically more affordable than either belt or chain drive openers. They require minimum maintenance; hence you can save a lot on maintenance costs.
Disadvantages of using Screw-driven technology
Despite many advantages, screw drive technology isn’t free from setbacks.
- Noise – Although less noisy than chain-drive technology, screw-drive openers produce a sound that can be harsh to your ears. You can opt for newer screw-drive opener models that produce less noise.
- Lubrication – Screw-drive mechanism requires more lubrication than any other garage door opener type. You’d need to use a quality lubricant with white lithium or minerals to ensure that your door opener remains in perfect shape. For example, WD-40 will prevent the system from working properly.
Best for which types of garage
Screw-driven garage door openers are a perfect choice for Larger and heavier garage doors. Most new garage doors are made out of glass that tends to heavier than metal. You’d need a door opener to smoothly operate a glass door that offers maximum torque with stability; hence screw drive garage door opener.
If you don’t like hearing the noise of garage door openers, you should consider installing screw drive door openers in non-attached garages.
Final Verdict
All in all, you can save money in the long-run while potentially enhancing the safety profile of your home by installing a screw-drive garage door opener. If you want an effective and reliable door opener for a heavier or custom garage door, a screw-driven door opener should be your choice.
Better install a screw-drive door opener powered by DC motors that offer quieter, faster, lighter, and smoother operation than AC motors. Install a garage door with the latest features such as Wi-Fi connection and smartphone app for remote access.