When it comes to garage door opener types, there are two main kinds to choose from: chain drives and belt drives. While both types of garage door openers have their distinct advantages and drawbacks, choosing the right one for your home or business depends on several factors, including noise levels, vibration, cost, maintenance, and weight capacity. In this article our Littleton garage door repair experts give more about the chain-drive and belt-drive model garage openers so that you can make an informed decision when selecting your opener.
The 2 Openers
Chain drive garage door openers are known for being more affordable than belt drive openers but may not be as quiet or smooth in operation. They use a metal chain looped around a sprocket on the motor, which connects to another sprocket on the trolley that lifts the door up and down. Chain-driven openers tend to require more frequent maintenance than belt-driven openers.
Noise Level
If you’re looking for a peaceful and minimal-noise garage experience, then consider investing in a belt-drive opener. Thanks to the use of modern garages such as rubber belt garages instead of metal chain garages, these popular type openers operate much more quietly than their chain counterparts without sacrificing performance or reliability. The belt openers are the quietest. On the other hand, if noise isn’t an issue for your specific situation then either type will provide solid results at any time!
Cost
When choosing a garage door opener, the cost of each type should be considered. In general, belt-drive openers are a more expensive option than chain openers – however, that does not mean one is necessarily better than the other. If you are trying to keep costs low, a chain drive opener might be an economical option for you as it has a lower upfront cost. Otherwise, go with belt drive garage openers. It is important to remember that this isn’t always reflective of the quality or longevity of your garage door opener – it just indicates one might have more value over another from a financial standpoint.
Vibration
Another factor to consider is vibration levels. Vibration is an important factor to consider when buying a new garage door opener, especially if your garage is a residential garage door. Chain drive garage doors tend to create more vibration than belt openers due to their construction, which could disrupt the adjoining rooms of your home. However, with a belt drive garage door opener, you can be sure that the amount of vibration is greatly reduced, resulting in significantly less disruption for you and your family. In this case, opting for a belt drive garage door opener model would be the better choice.
Maintenance
Maintaining a garage door opener is essential to ensure that your system stays reliable, and secure while operating smoothly and efficiently for years to come. Chain drive or belt drive garage door openers each have their distinct advantages and maintenance needs. Chain drive door systems require regular lubrication of the chain to avoid squeaking and friction of metal. Additionally, a chain drive system will need self-adjustment of its tension for continued operation; this is especially important if it has recently carried heavy objects. On the other hand, belt drive systems are often quiet and low-maintenance due to the rubber belts and rubber materials used in their construction. However, they do require attention as weather conditions can dry out and crack the belt over time. To keep any type of garage door opener running smoothly and safely, it’s recommended to perform a tune-up every year to assess any potential damage or wear that must be addressed.
Weight Capacity
Lastly, the weight capacity of each type of opener is also important to consider when deciding which type of opener you will use for your door. Chain-driven openers generally offer more lifting strength and can handle heavy doors and weight loads than belt-driven openers. If your door is particularly large and/or heavy, then a chain drive might be the ideal choice for you. Make sure to read up on the product specifications before purchase, so that you know it can support the weight without warping or buckling under the strain.
Chain Drives vs. Belt Drives
So, which one of the openers is better? Ultimately, the decision of belt vs. chain garage comes down to personal preference and your specific needs and circumstances. That said, there are a few factors that you should take into account before making your final decision. Noise level, vibration, cost, and weight capacity are all important considerations that can help you choose the right opener for your home. Once you have considered these factors, it will be easy to find a belt drive or chain drive opener that meets all of your requirements. If you need any assistance in making this decision or installing your new garage door opener, and for proper maintenance don’t hesitate to contact us today! We would be happy to help.
Spark Garage Doors is a locally owned and operated company serving homeowners throughout Aurora, Denver, and Littleton in Colorado. We’re the most affordable garage door repair service in town! Our Littleton garage door repair service professional technicians will work with you on your schedule and budget to fix any problem. Whether you need help with belt drives, chain drives, or something else, we are the solution.
Contact our garage door repair professionals at (720) 902 4081 for information on our garage door services.