Chain vs belt drive garage openers: the quick and dirty
It has been seen that the chain drive garage door openers are generally found in the most garages.
Keeping a car safe inside the garage can be quite an investment. From building a garage to installing the best garage door, the options can be overwhelming. When making the decision of which type of garage door opener to install, homeowners should seek to understand the actual opening mechanisms of each option.
Of course, there is the standard chain drive, used in the majority of homes. However, there are some other options worth consideration.
Investing in a quality opener
It is no surprise to some that investing in quality materials can be more expensive at first; however, benefits can last over lifetimes, from original homeowners to their children. Putting up a good garage door can protect from anything from severe weather to intruders. With the touch of a button a garage door makes it easy to access the garage during harsh weather and avoid going outside. An advance opening system can also make it more difficult for anyone to gain access to your home, playing a crucial role in security.
Types of garage door openers
Over the years, upgraded options have come to market for homeowner use. The most common are the following:
Screw drive opener
Chain drive opener
Belt drive opener
While screw drive openers are available, it really comes down to chan vs. belt drives for most homeowners.
Availability
It has been seen that the chain drive garage door openers are generally found in the most garages. This is actually due to the fact that they are easily available in most common home and garden centers and hardware stores. However, belt drive openers are quickly gaining popularity. At this rate they might even surpass the all-too-popular chain drive opener. Still, with their comparatively new availability, it will take some time for them to fully penetrate the market.
Operation speed
Automated garage door systems aren’t generally designed to be very fast. This is attributed to the goal of avoiding any accidents. To prevent anyone getting injured during the process of opening a garage, a typical garage door opens or closes at the rate of 7-8 inches per second.
A chain driven system tends to bounce on the rail during the operation. This hinders the smoothness of the travel and thus affects the speed of the system. The belt driven system, on the other hand, is fairly smooth and is slightly faster than the chain opener.
Sound of use
Having a squeaky, noisy garage door can be just about enough to drive anyone crazy. It’s important to factor in the sound levels associated with each opening mechanism. Though a lot of noise buffers and other noise reduction products are available, chain based systems involve a lot of metallic rails and gears that make contact during operation, producing jarring noise. Alternatively, the belt systems run smoothly and quietly along the rails.
System strength
A chain drive system made out of metal can bear the weight of almost any garage door. There is certainly no doubt in the strength of metal. Alternatively, belt drive systems are not as strong but should be able to bear the weight of a standard garage door. They have small pieces of steel built into the belts, adding strength to the pliable material. Unless homeowners plan to install specialty, heavy wood garage doors, a belt or chain system will be sturdy enough for daily use.
Cost
A belt driven opener does cost a little extra when compared with chain drive systems. Looking at the advantages of a belt system, though, it is pretty clear that it is worth the additional money.
Despite the higher initial price tag, the belt drive excels over the chain drive in just about every way. Lifetime, maintenance, noise, and durability are all features that are heightened with belt drive garage door openers. It is recommended that homeowners do their own research before making a purchase of a specific brand; if you want expert assistance, give us a call!
Quality Overhead Door, Inc. is a full-service garage door installation and repair company for both residential and commercial customers in the GIlbert area 480-838-8850.
