What to Look For in a Smart Garage Door Opener

An automatic garage door opener makes life much easier, but a smart garage door opener takes that convenience to the next level. With Wi-Fi integration, garage door openers can do much more than just open and close the door. For example, smart openers send homeowners notifications whenever the door is used. Some models even allow for programmable lights and control on who can enter the house through the garage. Are you in the market for a new garage door opener? Are you considering going for a smart model? If so, read on to learn what you should look for in a smart garage door opener.

What to Look For in a Smart Garage Door Opener

Horsepower

A single- or double-car sectional garage door requires 1/2 horsepower to operate, and most homes have openers that meet that requirement. While a 1/3 horsepower motor is lightweight, it may not be powerful enough to run reliably in such conditions. So make sure the opener you choose has at least 1/2 horsepower. If you have an oversized door made of a heavier material like wood, a garage door opener motor rated between 3/4 and 2 horsepower should suffice. Of course, nothing keeps you from going for a 2-horsepower opener on a smaller door for smoother performance and longer service life, but remember that higher-horsepower openers are expensive.

Drive system

Chain-driven

Garage door openers with a chain drive are the most typical for residential use. A continually coiling steel chain is used to open and close the door in chain drives. If you prefer the classic look of an exposed chain drive, this is the garage door opener for you. Notably, chain-drive openers are sturdy, inexpensive, and easy to maintain. On the downside, this option is the noisiest of all lift systems. 

Belt-driven

Unlike chain-driven lifts, belt-driven models are quieter because they use a reinforced rubber belt, which reduces vibration. If you have living spaces adjacent to the garage, you can benefit from the minimized noise produced by a belt-drive opener. Besides its noise reduction feature, belt drive openers can include built-in Wi-Fi, an integrated video camera, and battery backup. They are, however, more expensive than chain-drive models.

Screw-driven

Screw-drive openers have a steel threaded rod upon which the trolley rides to move the garage door. Screw-drive openers are great because they are powerful and fast yet relatively quiet (albeit noisier than belt-drive). They also have the fewest moving parts, requiring less maintenance compared to typical chain- or belt-driven systems.

Direct-driven

As its name implies, direct-drive openers have a motor that moves while the chain stays in place. This type’s most significant advantage is that it is much quieter than other openers. Direct-drive openers are also more efficient and require less maintenance than other types because they have no moving parts other than the motor. But, on the other hand, they are often more expensive than other openers.

Smartphone controls

If you want to access your garage door opener with a smartphone, choose a model with built-in Wi-Fi. Brands Chamberlain, LiftMaster, Craftsman, and Genie offer models with built-in Wi-Fi, though these are more expensive than base models without Wi-Fi. 

Smart home compatibility

Openers with smart home compatibility allow managing your home by linking your garage door with your smart home system. By integrating your garage door opener into your smart home system, you may program your smart locks, thermostat, and lighting to respond to your garage door as you enter and exit your home.

Garage Door Opener Installation Near Me

Go with Titan Garage Doors NE if you are ready to upgrade your overhead garage door opener to the latest technology. We offer smart garage door openers with sophisticated controls, battery backup, and advanced functionality. We serve the greater Omaha area and surrounding locations, including Lincoln, Papillion and Bellevue, NE, and Council Bluffs, IA, with complete garage door repair services, installations, and maintenance programs. Reach us for free estimates on our garage door opener repair and installation service. We are also available for emergency garage door repair, so contact us today to get the best services you deserve.