Garage Door Openers Made Simple

A garage door opener not only opens and closes your door – it also provides convenience and peace of mind that your home is secure. But how do you know which opener is right for you?

Garage Door Openers: Three Popular Systems

• Chain Drive

The most common type of garage door opener, the chain drive, uses a chain to push and pull a trolley that moves your door up and down. Not only is it the most affordable option, but these openers are also very reliable. The downside is that it tends to operate loudly.

An example of a chain-driven garage door opener is the LiftMaster 8365-267 Premium Series. This model combines brains and brawn: the ability to receive email or text alerts about the status of your garage door and you can trust its industrial-strength performance.

Note: The MyQ Internet Gateway is required to receive email and text alerts about your garage door and is compatible with all LiftMaster operators starting with '8'.

• Belt Drive

This type of garage door opener uses a belt instead of a chain to push the trolley that moves your door. While belt-driven openers are just as reliable as chain-driven, they operate more quietly. These benefits are reflected in the price, making the belt-driven opener a slightly more expensive option.

Test out the belt-driven garage door opener with the LiftMaster 8550W Elite Series. This model uses the ultimate smart technology, allowing you to control and monitor your garage door using your smartphone or tablet. It also comes equipped with a battery backup so you can open and close your garage door without using electricity.

Note: All LiftMaster operators ending in 'W' have built-in Wi-Fi and do not require the MyQ Internet Gateway.

• Jackshaft

If the ceiling in your garage is very low or obstructed by storage and can't accommodate a chain or belt drive, a jackshaft garage door opener might be right for you. This type of opener is also known as a wall mount because it's mounted on the wall of your garage as opposed to the ceiling. Jackshaft openers are not only space-savers, they're also ultra-quiet.

To free up ceiling space in your garage, give the LiftMaster 8500 Elite Series a try. This model offers speed, strength and maximum lifting power in one compact package.

Garage Door Opener Controls

• Remote Control

Remote controls grant portable and easy access to your garage. There are many different models of garage door opener remote controls and programming instructions. Standard LiftMaster garage door remote controls, for example, can be programmed in four easy steps.

• Wall Control

Wall-mounted control pads come standard with new openers and let you open and close your door from inside your garage, as well as control lights, locks and lockouts (i.e. vacation mode).

• Keyless Entry Pad

Mounted just outside the garage door, keyless entry pads let you open your garage door from the outside using a security code. That way, you don't have to worry about carrying a key to get inside your house.

Safety Features

• Sensors

Sensors are standard on all residential garage door operators in Canada and cast an invisible beam across your garage doorway to stop and reverse a closing door when an object obstructs its path.

• Motion Activated Lights

Automatically turn on the lights when you enter your garage to prevent accidents and improve security.

• Battery Backup

When the power goes out, a backup battery allows you to open and close your garage door without using electricity.

Keeping your garage hazard-free will also help to keep you and your family safe.

Security Features

• Encryption Technology

Also called a rolling code feature, this technology prevents hackers from recording the code that your garage door remote control transmits and using it to enter your property.

• Smart Monitoring

Smart monitoring features allow you to use your smartphone, tablet or computer to control your garage door opener and monitor when your door is opened and closed.

Note: The MyQ Internet Gateway is required to monitor and control LiftMaster garage door operators. Genie garage door operators require Aladdin Connect.

For more expert advice, contact the professionals at Creative Door or call 1-888-621-3667.