Your garage is essential for convenience, allowing you to store your car and other goods safely, as well as giving you access from your car straight into the house via a door.  However, to be able to use your garage properly, you need a good garage door opener and it can be difficult to know which type to buy.  That’s why we’ve put together this buyer’s guide to get you started.  For any more tips or info on choosing a garage door opener, have a chat with your local garage specialist.

Buy the Right Kind for Your Garage Door

The type of garage door that you have will determine what type of opener that you select.  If you have a roller garage door, you’ll need a roller opener.  If you have a tilt or sectional overhead door, however, you’ll need a lifting type opener.  Also look at the size of the garage door that needs to be opened.  This is important as the openers are made to fit certain sized doors.  Your opener will struggle to open a double garage door if it was designed to only open a single door, and conversely, it will be overpowered if you use a double door opener on a single door.

Do You Want an Automatic Opener?

Another decision that you will have to make is if you want an automatic garage door opener.  These are easily installed on new doors or retrofitted to existing doors and they allow you to open and close your garage door at the push of a button on your remote.  These are great for convenience as you don’t have to get in and out of your car just to open and close the garage door so no more getting wet or anything like that, and the door automatically locks once it is fully closed.  You can also connect your remote to the home alarm system or your lights, so that the alarm is automatically turned on or off depending on if the door is opening or closing and so that the lights activate as you enter the home.  However, you’ll have to keep an eye on the battery in your remote and also check the motor occasionally to ensure that all is functioning as it should.

Look for Quality in the Garage Door Openers

No matter what type of opener you have, you want to make sure that it is made well.  Look for simple yet technologically advanced components that are strong and well made so that your door cannot go off its hinges or suffer from any other problems.  Quality garage door openers will also operate quietly so you’re not interrupted inside the home every time the garage door opens and closes!  Of course, the better the garage door opener, the longer it will last too, thus making it more economical over the long term as you will not need to repair or replace it.  Most reputable garage door openers will come with a long manufacturer’s warranty.

Check the Safety Features

Finally, you’ll need to look at the safety features included in the garage door openers.  A soft start and stop system is essential, not just for safety but to reduce the wear and tear on the door and opener. As well, you’ll want sensors included so that the door will not continue to try and open or close if there is something obstructing it.