Best Garage Door Opener? - DIY Chatroom

Treppiede · 07-16-2007, 10:39 PM

Hello,
I am about to close on a house. The house has a two-car garage, and I'd like to install a Garage Door Opener. I looked online and I see all types: chain-driven, belt-driven, 1/2hp, 3/4hp and so on.

Here's a picture of the garage:

Which type of "GDO" do you recommend (durability, price, warranty...)?

Thank you in advance!

-Walter

roger1 · 07-17-2007, 01:27 AM

First you will have to move that ducting beyond the left center of door You can buy metal ducts and transition from round to square so GDO mechanism will go over. Square metal ducting will be flush against the ceiling. I bought a Genie brand from a big box store that has a uniquie chain design from some older ones I've seen. Was easy to install as I've done others for other people. Some of the house brands Do it best etc may have more plastic gearing which can strip etc if safety mechanisms are adjusted proper. !/2 HP for that door ,looks to be wood and springs were adjusted so you didn't get a hernia! Good luck!

Which type of "GDO" do you recommend (durability, price, warranty...)?

Thank you in advance!

-Walter[/quote]

Doorguy06 · 07-17-2007, 06:37 PM

Stay as far a way from genie as you can. Go with a liftmaster belt drive if you like it quiet or chain drive a bit more noisy. 1/2 HP will be sufficient or you can go up to 3/4 HP and it wont hurt. Have them fix that door before closing. There should not be a gap under the door on the right side. The duct work looks like it is behind the door so it shouldn't be in the way.

Sammy · 07-17-2007, 07:57 PM

I have a Genie excelerator in use for three years now with several open/closes daily and no complaints with a little maint. The interior button/console did die but it has a lifetime warranty so it only cost me five bucks shipping for a new button and they ended up sending a whole new control circuit board in the shipment.

Its a screw drive and is quieter than a chain drive, but belt drive is the quietest if noise is an issue.

No experience with them but Wayne Dalton makes an I drive which mounts across the top of the door versus coming out into the garage. Pricey, but looks neater and would eliminate the duct issue.

KUIPORNG · 07-18-2007, 12:34 PM

I tried "Wayne Dalton" before... it is a nightmare... it might work for single door... but for double door... it just don't have the power... I bought it new around $200 bucks and sold the used one for $30 after trying to use it in one year.... to be fair, if the garage door is perfectly balance, it might work... but how many garage door is perfectly balance ?

jorguez1167 · 07-22-2007, 12:43 AM

If you have money spend money on a good GDO. I had an old craftsman chain lift for a while it just got to noise. Now I have the Genie 1/2hp screw much quiter and nice remotes controls. My door had a broken spring I replace myself and balance the door perfectly. A good balance door shouldn't have any resistance when going up or down the springs do all the work.

RippySkippy · 07-23-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KUI****G

...but how many garage door is perfectly balance ?

If the door isn't in balance...a larger opener is the least of one's concerns, a door out of balance will either eat door openers, or wreck the door.

As jorguez1167 said...the door should be balanced enough to hold itself, the opener just does the lazy work. The adjustment part is a whole 'nother story tho...if the owner isn't comfortable with adjusting the tension, hire it out.

I like the genie openers...still not quite sure the accelerator is necessary. I'd be more concerned with the daylight showing under the right side...that says the cables and spools are not in alignment with each other. If you don't know how to do this and do it safely, hire it out.

**joasis** · 07-24-2007, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RippySkippy

...if the owner isn't comfortable with adjusting the tension, hire it out.

I'd be more concerned with the daylight showing under the right side...that says the cables and spools are not in alignment with each other. If you don't know how to do this and do it safely, hire it out.

Let me add this warning: Under no circumstances should torsion springs be adjusted by a DIY'er. These can be dangerous, and should be left to pro's....it isn't worth loosing your front teeth, or an eye....maybe breaking an arm, or having one explode (yes, they can and do literally explode) and send shrapnel into your body. Same thing with the lift cables and drums...leave this to a pro.

Sammy · 07-24-2007, 11:13 PM

Roger that Joasis.

I have seen springs fly around a garage when they break.

HIRE A PRO to do that!

BDURR67 · 07-26-2007, 01:09 PM

My Father-in-law Worked In The Garage Door Industry For 30 Years. He Recomended The Liftmaster (chain Drive)to Me 15 Years Ago And It Still Works Like New. I Will Say I Agree With The Posts That Suggest The Door Be Adjusted And Springs Adjusted By A Professional. Also Make Sure The Rollers On The Springs Are Well Lubricated...this Is What Makes A Door Go Up And Down Quietly....not The Operator (opener)