When shopping for a new opener for your garage door, take the time to browse
through all the features to find which one suits your needs best. From the drive
system to speed and power, discover which garage door opener is right for you.
Once you've settled on the perfect opener, book an in-home consultation to have
our pros install it for you.
Also look for a unit with soft starting and stopping that operates more quietly, with less wear and tear on the door. Higher-end openers operate more quickly, reducing the time you have to wait in the driveway. For safety's sake, the faster-opening models still close at a standard, slower speed.
Garage door openers have motors that run on either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Both plug into a standard home power outlet, but DC-powered openers convert AC to DC power.
The advantages of a DC motor include smaller size, quieter operation, and softer starts and stops, while the advantages of an AC motor include better safety, more efficiency in power transmission, and better lighting.
Look for a system that comes with a back-up battery in case there's an electrical outage.
All garage door openers produced today use "rolling codes" for the greatest security. Each time the door is opened, a new, random code is generated. This prevents code theft and ensures that a neighbor's remote control will not open your garage.
All models also include a manual release that will allow you to open the door if the power is out. Some higher-end models include a function that opens the door just a little bit so the cat or dog can get out.
Most openers include a security light that comes on as you activate the system and stays on long enough for you to get out of the car and go into the house. Many remotes include buttons that turn on the light without activating the door.