Garage doors are mechanical devices that open and close a garage entry in the form of an electric spring or chain driven unit. Garage doors are used frequently and for a number of reasons which include home security, the ability to enter and exit a garage quickly and ease of use. Garage entryways have a gate that slides up or down into a cavity filled with gravel or dirt known as a cap. A garage gate can swing out towards the driveway or it may swing inwards allowing access through a doorframe that slides inwards along the garage entry.
There are several different types of garage door openers, which work using different electrical motor speeds and horsepower. The most commonly used are transmitter/sender remote control units which operate using a transmitter mounted on the garage door itself and control the operation of the electric motor with the help of a handheld receiver/remote control. Some garage door openers are controlled by a separate handheld transmitter. Some garage doors are fitted with high-end electronic devices which provide power to the motors and may also incorporate high-tech control systems and safety and warning systems.
There are three major categories of electrical garage door openers which include transmitter/sender units, high-end remote-controlled units and low-end models. The difference between these types is in the amount of horsepower they produce. The low end units are typically less expensive because of their simpler and less complex design, however, they generally produce less horsepower than the higher performance units. As well as the horsepower category, there are also differences in the way in which current is supplied to the motor as well as the power requirements of the motor.
The amount of horsepower necessary to operate a particular door opener will depend largely on the type of drive system that the unit is using. The most common types of drive systems used in residential garage door openers are belt drives and screw drives. Belt drives are typically considered the best option, because they have very low maintenance requirements. Also, they offer the best control as well as safety features. They are usually available in two speeds and operate quietly in order to provide comfort and convenience for the users.
Manual garage door openers tend to be operated with the help of either a spring-loaded lever or a crank mechanism, both of which are quite safe when operating the device. However, they do not have the same level of sophistication as the high-end electronic devices. When operating them, you should ensure that there is plenty of power supply and that the batteries are fully charged. There is no point in using openers that cannot operate because it causes safety hazards. These safety features are particularly important in garages that have insufficient power source or those that require the use of backup battery systems.
Other important factors to consider when purchasing a garage door opener include the type of motor being used. Drive units that have a two-speed motor are preferred over the ones having a three-speed drive. It is also necessary to check whether the opener motor has been designed to work on two single doors or two double doors. Also, the double/double garage door openers should be chosen that allow for smooth operation even when a chain drive is present. Other features of very good quality garage doors are security features like sensors and automatic closing features.