Garage Door Opener questions

[Jeanny]

I'm going to be buying a garage door opener soon and I'm so confused ... which is better a "chain drive" or "screw drive"?? now Sears has one with a Laser parking guide ($169 on sale).

They also have a 1/2 HP screw drive door opener with 2 remotes for $148. Then they have a 3/4 HP for $199 (on sale) but it doesn't say if it's a chain or screw drive, neither does the Laser parking guide one.

Does anyone know what the difference is? is one is better than the other? what happens if the "chain" comes off?? how do I get it back on?? Does anything happen to the "screw drive" kind??

Who do I have to get to install it?? an electrician?? or just a "handyman"???

thanks for your help in advance!! I'm totally useless when it comes to these things!!

 

[monkeyboy]

There are three main types of openers:

Chain drive mechanism: By far the most popular and affordable opening device. Priced between $100 and $170, this model uses a chain to move the door.

Screw drive mechanism: This slow-moving design relies on a long threaded bar to open the door. The cost for this unit is typically between $150 and $200.

Belt drive mechanism: Considered the quietest and, priced at $200 and up, the most expensive opening device. This design uses rubber belts to open the door.

 

[kild]

I've got 2 chain drive that I have had for many moons. They have not had any problems at all.

 

[addie boy]

My door is very heavy because it has a lot of wood on it so I was told to stay away from a screw drive. I got a Craftsman chain drive recently from Sears and had a problem with the circuit board right away. They came down pretty quickly to fix it and I haven't had any problems since. For an extra fee Sears will send down their people to install it for you.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

Originally posted by addie boy
My door is very heavy because it has a lot of wood on it so I was told to stay away from a screw drive. I got a Craftsman chain drive recently from Sears and had a problem with the circuit board right away. They came down pretty quickly to fix it and I haven't had any problems since. For an extra fee Sears will send down their people to install it for you.

The heavy door really doesn't play too much into the equation - the doors weight should be properly compensated for by the use of springs (either on the side or torsion).

The chain drive and screw drive units are the loudest of the three. I have never had a chain come off and have had only chain drive units.

One nice to have with the door is the outside mounted opener/keypad.

 

[cardaway]

IMO the best thing to go for these days is a keyless entry keypad allowing you to open the door with a pass number.

We have a Craftsman chain drive with two remotes and the keyless entry. Never had a problem and we use the keypad all the time.

 

[monkeyboy]

A little of topic but

Ever have a spring break on you and then have to replace it

 

[Bob Slydell]

Originally posted by monkeyboy
A little of topic but

Ever have a spring break on you and then have to replace it

Yes and no -- had a spring break (on a really, really old garage door), but no, I didn't replace it myself. We were lucky to find a company that happened to be able to locate an old spring way back in their inventory that they could use to replace it.

 

[Jeanny]

Thanks for everyone's help and replies... I knew you'd all be able to help me..
I just looked at the Sears ad again, and they have installation for $69.99 (after a mail in rebate). The 3/4 hp & the 1/2 hp laser parking guide models both have the entry pad and two remotes....Looks like I'm taking a ride to Sears after work tonight.


next question will be on installing attic stairs!! I'm going to Home Depot to check those out and will probably be posting later on that subject.

Thanks again, I really appreciate it!

 

[JayCT]

We had two new openers installed in our garage over the past year. The first one we got a Sears and had them install. The second one was installed by a garage door company. There is a big difference between them. the Sears one is designed to be transported and installed by a homeowner, so it comes in smaller pieces. The bar that runs from the opener to over the garage door opening is made up of several shorter sections of metal and thus is not as strong as the one piece professionally installed one. Also the professional came out and refurbished our 17 year old doors so now they open and close like new. He installed new rollers and pullys. All this cost a bit more than the Sears installed one but in less than a year after we installed the Sears one we had problems (because the age of the door and Sears did not tell us it should be refurbished). Anyway, I guess what I am saying is if the doors are newer and work well, install whatever, but if the doors are older, it may be wise to have a professional come out and install them and fix your doors as well. Jay

 

[wdwoldtimer]

monkeyboy, the spring on one of the doors at my brother's house broke...while it was stretched too. Half of it flung across the garage. Lucky no one was hurt.

 

[monkeyboy]

wdwoldtimer
Heard a crash
went to check it out
spring embedded in the wall

The safety cable that is supposed to stip this snapped as well

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just had this Genie installed a few weeks ago. Lifetime warranty, parts AND labor, at home. $199 at Home Depot, $99 for the install. Has all the necessary accessories. Laser parking, IMO, is a toy, unnecessary.