What Electric Opener To Buy?

electric opener for garage doors

Electric garage door openers are the rave of the century. More and more people are finding electric openers an absolute necessity. They offer not only an improved rate of efficiency, but they also run with a level of fluidity and modernism that the outdated manual garage doors do not have.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of electric openers in the market right now and though some may look modern, they aren’t exactly great. Besides, all of these products work differently, and their efficiency depends on how they are made and what makes them tick. It is important, therefore, to have a much-needed range of knowledge about electric openers and what electric openers to buy when one decides to buy. This article is written exactly for that purpose and by the time you get to the end of this article, you’ll have gathered enough information and knowledge required to survive in the electric opener sector.

Why You Should Install A Garage Door?

Although the purpose of this article is to provide the necessary information regarding what electric opener to buy, it is also very important to know a little about garage doors beforehand. To that effect, here are some reasons why you should consider before buying a garage door for your homes.

1. Its Efficiency Is Unparalleled

Electric openers are the best and most effective choices for garage doors in the market today. If properly installed, a good electric opener will perform efficiently and flawlessly for a long time doing work that you don’t have to. Some models of garage openers are not only very efficient, but they are also quiet and make for a wonderful addition to a simple home or household.

However, it is pertinent to note that the efficiency of such openers relies on proper use and attention. Misuse of the product will not only void your warranty and shorten your product life, but it may also make for a piece of disappointing and uncomfortable equipment.

2. It Offers Added Security For Your Vehicles

An important feature of an electric opener is the security it offers. Unlike most older outdated manually operated garage doors, the electric opener does its work for you and for most products, is actually hands-free. It works automatically, and it offers a more secure option for your vehicles than manually accessible ones. In fact, some models of electric garage doors have built-in alarm and security systems increasing protection on your vehicles. Your vehicles are mostly in great ‘hands’ and what more? You don’t have to do a lot of work.

3. They Last For A Very Long Time

Yes. You saw that right. You’re reading that right. If properly used, a well-installed electric garage opener will last for as long as 20 to 25 years. A quarter of a hundred years is a lot of years to use an electric opener for if you ask me. Some more expensive models of electric openers may very well even last longer and with the correct repair and maintenance will continue to go on while still working efficiently for another lengthy period.

4. They Also Have Aesthetic Value

In addition to its electric technology, electric openers can and do offer a more modern outlook to a home. For people into a home sale, installing a modern electric opener can increase the aesthetic value of the home, thereby directly increasing the monetary value of the home. Several designs are available in the market today with materials being used ranging from wood to steel and even, in special places, aluminium. These materials can be moulded into different shapes and designs, giving your homes not only a modern look but a very beautiful modernized look as well.

For Garage Door Installation – Call: 0800 0747 198

Of course, these are only a few of the reasons why electric garage openers are a great idea. There are thousands of reasons why you should purchase one, and while they also have a few flaws themselves, in totality, they would be a wonderful addition to any home or building.

For anyone who decides to venture into the business of electric openers or is curious about which electric openers to buy, it is important to note there are many factors to consider before buying one. Such factors include garage doors available, main use, and what to do to avoid complications. These will be discussed much further into the article. Now, concerning the issue of what electric openers to buy, there are different types of openers available in the market.

What Are The Different Types Of Electric Openers?

Although each one serves different needs and purposes, most electric garage door openers do many of the same things, and it can be quite confusing when it comes to time to choose. In the next few paragraphs, we try to break down the basics of each type and help you to find one that suits your home and building needs.

They include:

Screw-Driven Electric Garage Door Opener
Jackshaft Electric Garage Door Opener
Chain Drive Electric Garage Door Opener
Belt-Driven Electric Garage Door Opener

The Screw-Driven Electric Opener

Admittedly, this type of opener usually operates a little bit noisier than other types, but its efficiency is also unparalleled. It works by the use of a screw attached to a steel rod that aids the up and down movement of the door trolley. It works a little bit noisier, but it works well as long as sufficient lubrication and oiling are regularly used. It is controlled by a steel rod also means that there is a larger chance of friction – unless of course the right lubrication is used for it.

For Installation of Electric Garage Doors – Call: 0800 0747 198

For homes who have their garage doors directly facing residential rooms, this is a fairly good choice as the movement of the steel rod is fluid. There are not many machine parts to it, which also means considerably less noise than in the Belt-driven type. It is also a good idea for commercial buildings (that is, buildings that have a lot of traffic in and out of them) as this type of opener requires constant use and attention.

The Belt-Driven Electric Opener

This, clearly as the name implies, makes use of a rubber belt that slides every time the trolley is moved. It only moves, however, if the closed option is deactivated. The belt moves fluidly and retracts quickly when prompted. This option is a little bit more costly to purchase and install as it involves very many different mechanisms, and it is quite difficult to navigate.

One very good benefit of this type of opener is that it is quiet and makes little or no noise because the steel parts involved are very little compared to other types of openers. It is, therefore, a good choice for residential areas and areas that require at least a certain degree of quietness. However, because of its technicality, only professionals in the field should be given the task of installing this opener.

The Chain Drive Electric Opener

This type of opener makes use of a chain as opposed to the belt driven opener. The chain supports the steel that moves the trolley vertically each time it opens. This type of opener is very common. In fact, it is the most common type of opener among homeowners in the market today. Why it is so is not far-fetched. It is the cheapest alternative available in the market. It also offers efficiency for its cost.

For residential areas that aren’t too quiet, this is a very useful addition. It can be great equipment for commercial buildings too. It is important to note that this type of opener can be easily faked as there are many inferior types in the market. Only well-equipped professional should see to the installation of this type of opener.

Jackshaft Electric Opener

The Jackshaft makes use of a pulley-like shaft to elevate and lower the trolley. This type of opener works very well for buildings that house offices and business centres. For residential areas, however, your garage has to have a higher ceiling because the jackshaft makes use of a pulley shaft that is placed much higher in the building than homeowners’ garage spaces.

The Jackshaft makes quite a lot of noise, and while being expensive, it offers a lot of fluidity as well as efficiency. Because it is usually mounted on either side of a wall, it requires a lot of patience and professional services to be procured for the installation. It should never be done by someone with little or no knowledge in the field.

In Conclusion

Purchasing an electric garage door opener is an excellent idea for all homeowners. Purchasing one, however, must be undertaken with patience and with the appropriate knowledge. There are many types of electric garage available in the market with different capabilities, too, of course. This is why one must have the appropriate knowledge required to know which one to purchase. This has been the aim of this article – to provide the necessary information regarding electric openers for garages. We hope you have decided on which type of opener to purchase. If you are still in doubt, however, you can always pick up the phone and contact Rollaway Garage Doors to help you out with the selection and installation of a suitable electric garage door opener.

electric opener infographic

How Much Does It Cost To Repair Or Replace A Garage Door?

repair or replace garage doors

Garage Door Repair Cost

The cost of many garage door repairs is between £100 and £400 which will include materials & labour. Garage door spring repair costs can be from £50 to £100 depending on the type of garage door springs you have.

National Average Cost: £170

Minimum Cost: £60

The garage doors are not always only for the safekeeping of our vehicles, but sometimes they also work as the main entrance of our houses. And we cannot really take any risks regarding its quality or any kind of damages related to the garage doors. Thus we need to know about the garage door repairs and maintenance in details.

Reasons behind the damages & will you need a replacement garage door?

Sometimes the cost of the repairs or complete replacement of the garage door becomes one reason why some people avoid getting it repaired or replaced. But if you get a comprehensive idea of it, then getting it done cannot always be high on your monetary issues and you can manage the expenses well.

The reasons why the garage doors get damaged can vary accordingly to its usage. Sometimes overexploitation of the garage doors and mishandling leads to the damages, sometimes the passing of too many years causes the damages and sometimes the cheap quality of the materials can also cause the damages to the garage door.

Apart from these factors, the climatic conditions also cause damages to the garage doors, when they are made up of substances like wood, aluminium, etc. Although the Essex garage doors are of the best quality, still they need to be repaired or replaced at some point of time to get away with any kind of trouble that shows up. Let us move on to the cost of such garage door repairs and replacements and how it all functions

The styles of the garage doors

It all depends on the garage door styles that you have installed in your garage to determine the repairing strategies. Some are harder to repair or replace and that eventually increases the cost for the same. The roll up garage doors or the tilt-up garage doors are by far considered the most affordable garage door styles to be repaired or replaced. The other styles are a bit too complicated for the process and hence requires more bucks than these door styles to be repaired or replaced.

The materials needed to repair a garage door

Apart from the garage door style, the materials needed by the repair workers also indicate the costs of the entire process. It is high in cases where the garage doors are expensive and high-class models. Some of these expensive models have electric door openers and it becomes non-functional after a period which is when the repair is needed.

Also, in case of the side opening garage doors, sometimes the siding doesn’t work properly and hence a repairing is needed to make it functional again. All these problems do not occur in the casual and normal garage door styles for which the repair costs are also less. Hence, it is evident that the more you spend on the garage doors, the more you must be prepared for the expense of its repair or replacement.

So How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Garage Door?

Well, as stated above, the cost varies according to the types and styles of the garage doors and the materials needed for the procedure. But still, we can share the approximate values of such repairs to let you have a comprehensive idea of what your next repair may cost you. But first one must know that the labour charges aren’t going to change whether you need to repair a small part of the door or you need to entirely replace it.

And the labour charge is decided by the service providers. Apart from this fixed price, the casual charges for the repair or replacement of the tilt-up garage doors can be approximately £40-£100 whereas the same for the roll-up doors can be approximately £50-£120. The repair cost may vary from location to the type of garage door. The insulated garage doors are high cost and very expensive and thus the cost of repair and replacement is also high as it has layers in it. However, you can always negotiate on the cost with your service provider for the best quotations.

Be assured of the quality services

The garage door repairs Essex provides a genuine guide towards the repair and replacement of the garage doors in and around the UK. They take it in their stride to deal with every kind of difficulties that their customer faces with the garage doors; from the lightest ones to the bigger ones!

Also, they provide enviable costing of the repair and replacement of the garage doors which makes them amongst the best lot of providing such services to the customers. It may cost you much to repair or replace your garage door but when you trust the repair services in Essex, you can be assured of the quality services and the best process as well.

How To Buy Garage Doors & How Much It Costs?

buy garage doors

The owner of any types of vehicles is always in worry about how to keep their vehicles safe. Be it a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler, the safeguarding of your vehicle must always be in possession of your own and for that to happen, a garage is a must have at all the residences. In the UK, a majority of people, have their own in-house garages that ensure the safekeeping of their vehicles in the traditional way.

Things to Consider When Buying a Garage Door

But, only building a garage does not always ensure the safety of the vehicles parked inside them, you must also focus on making the garage doors strong enough to withstand any kind of natural or unnatural disasters. So, while you chose a type of garage door for your garage, there are some things that must be looked out for before zeroing in on the final door types. Also, one must look out for the garage doors installation procedures which are one of the most important things when safety is concerned.

Get Upgraded insulation

If you plan to keep the garage warm or make it energy efficient then going for an insulated garage door is recommended. The average insulated doors are made of polystyrene, but if you need an upgraded form of the insulated doors then you should use polyurethane insulation. That would ensure power saving and insulation up gradation of the garage door effectively.
An “in-person” quote is always preferred

It is quite advisable that never settle for the garage door designs or materials over phone calls or online appointments. If you opt for such ways to get the garage door done then you might be doing it the wrong way as the shape and size and the requirement of every garage is different. Therefore, getting an “in-person” quote of the door so that it fits the garage perfectly is one thing that we all must look out for while buying garage doors.
Try to avoid wooden doors

Well, if you are rooting for a better outlook of the garage door then going for wooden doors might be a good idea, but the longevity of the external appearance is too less to choose it for the purpose. When going for wooden doors, you must also make up your mind to provide it with a high-cost maintenance which is why most people do not prefer installing wooden garage doors. Also, in a year or two, you have to change the colour coating to give it a perfect finishing which is sometimes not bearable for the users. So, staying out of the wood business while choosing the garage doors is highly recommended.
Get standard beefier springs

A spring garage door is easily usable and comes down or goes up without having to put much effort. The Essex garage doors are mostly made in a way that benefits the customers and using beefier strings on the garage doors is one of the features that are used by them to make things easy for the buyers.
The DIY door installation ideas are a big no-no in case of garage doors

Never ever choose to install the garage doors on your own as that may save you some bucks but the finishing of the installation might not be as good when compared to the professionals. Seek the guidance of the experts when you want to make your garage door a keeper for long and provide better finishing of it to ensure safety.

The Cost Details of Garage Doors

In most cases, the garage door repairs cost is the ones that give a real pain to the buyers as the maintenance cost is a bit higher than the average cost of the garage doors. The affordability depends on the type of material you choose and the kind of professionals you hire for the garage door installation process. A new garage door costs approximately around $500 and can range up to $800; this price range is for the installation of single garage doors. If you want to modify the features or increase the quality of the materials by a bit more, then the cost may rise higher than this. The up-gradation charges are also a bit higher for the single garage doors.

Well, these are the primary criteria and the average costing of the garage doors that ensure good quality check and provides a secured garage system to the vehicle owners. There is a need for proper maintenance and repair of the garage doors in case you want better longevity of the garage doors. So, the next time you look out for a better garage door, consider the above-mentioned options and choose the garage doors accordingly.

Metal Garage Doors Versus Wooden Garage Doors

roller garage doors vs up and over garage doors

Controversial to many beliefs, the type of garage door you get is an important factor in creating a useful garage.

And there’s a reason why.

Which we will discuss in our upcoming series of blog posts.

But for now, we will start off with comparing two similar garage doors.

Roller garage doors and Up and Over garage doors have a lot less in common than you may think.

A Brief Overview Of Roller Garage Doors

Admittedly, Roller garage doors are one of the more basic types of garage doors.

But that is not to say they aren’t advanced or diverse.

Given their name, they are pretty self-explanatory on how they work.

Roll Up Garage Doors do exactly that.

They roll up, roll down and keep the contents of a garage safe. Great.

What Size Garage Door Is Most Suitable For You?

With regards to our space-conscious customers, we usually suggest getting these Roller shutter garage doors.

This is due to the handy vertical direction of the garage shutter doors.

To illustrate just how user-friendly Insulated Roller Garage Doors are, let’s take a look at this video demonstration.

Roller Shutter Door Prices

As for the cost of this secure, simple and stunning option of a garage door, relativity plays a big part.

For the simple reason that there are many additional features, that may be added or taken away at the customer’s preference.

Up And Over Garage Doors

Moving on to the Roller garage doors cousin, we have the up and over garage door.

Also known as the Garage Overhead door because of its ending position when opened.

This is a popular choice for those who do not need over garage door storage.

What Makes Them Suitable For You?

With two different options to choose from, Up and Over garage doors are adaptable and modern.

Be that as it may, this garage door type isn’t adaptable when it comes to ceiling space.

For this reason, it is often bought by those with smaller cars or those who do not store vehicles in their garage.

Which Garage Door Is Best?

Neither, nor.

It all depends on what you are looking for in a garage door.

If you want a sleek and quiet garage door opener then residential roll up garage doors are a perfect fit.

Conversely, for a traditional stylish look without the need of ceiling space, Up and Over garage doors could be better suited.

What Do You Think?

We would love to hear your opinions.

Whether you have had an unfortunate experience with a particular type of garage door, or you have helpful advice for others looking to buy a garage door.

We hope to hear from you soon! Comment below and like this post.