another house question

[Brett Hartwig]

OK, you help me with everything else...garage door openers- belt/chain/screw drive? 1/3 or 1/2 hp? how much to expect to have 2 doors installed on new house?

 

[Kevin Palmer]

They all have their pros and cons..



Go with the larger HP as it will simply last longer due to not working as hard. Plus, if you have an insulated door they can get heavy, especially if it is a 16 foot door.



I have yet to own a belt drive system, I have heard that they are pretty quite.



Screw drive seem to do a decent job with medium noise.



Chain drive have always worked well for me. But,,, I have had the plastic drive gear fail. Two of them in 23 years. Fixed it myself for about $15.00...

 

[Andy Cabrera]

The chain drives have those plastic gears, not a pricey fix but annoying. I had 2 doors in Jersey. They would occasionally bind or hang. In my new house in Virginia I have a Sears 1/2 HP screww drive on single a double door beutiful action. No binding I won't go back to chain

 

[Bill Barber]

Just had a belt drive installed, amazing how quite they are compared to chain or screw drives

Would deff do it again.

 

[Todd Z]

While I agree the belt is quieter over the chain, the MOTOR still makes the same noise and the same vibrations....



I have no preference except the belt seems to stretch less and require less maintenance..



Also get a clopay or INSULATED door and DON'T get the windows on top.... I thought they looked cool and then realized all my neighbors can see in and frosted the glass !!!!



I Found a guy that does the installs on the side and paid $800.00 installed over the estimates I got for $1,200 ....



I also needed a special 12R track due to low ceiling height...



Todd Z

 

[Mark K 2]

I've seen enough stripped out screw drives to know they're crap.

 

[Bob McDonald]

On my previous home, I had a screw drive and the lubing of it was a nuisance. I have 2 belt drives at my current home and am very happy with them.



I am OK with the windows, but I did put frosted film on them for privacy.

:smile0006::smile0006:

 

[Brett Hartwig]

I only ask for a second opinion- I work with a guy who installed them part time for several years- he suggested chain drive and said 1/3 hp was plenty to open average garage doors. I know my father in law has belt drive and is very quiet, just wondered about durability over the years. He also suggested no windows, good way for thieves to see if cars are in there. thanks for the suggestions

 

[Gavin Allan]

The house I have has got to have the quietest garage door opener in town! The opener is a Marantec, has a DC motor and chain drive, and it has a bunch of programmable features that any techie would love. I have no idea how much it cost, but the builder sure got a nice opener!



I have an 18 foot door (nice and wide) and everything is 10 years old and works like new.



Here's more info from the Marantec website:

 

[Dingo]

I have 2 9' steel doors (since insulated to R-8), and I have a Chamberlain Liftmaster Professional Formula 1 1/2HP opener on each. Belt drive. A vacuum cleaner is about 3 times as loud.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

I have two 1/2 hp craftsman chain drive. Installed about 11 years ago, have replaced the drive gear in both at least once since then. As Cabera said, not expensive (parts on eBay, cheap), but man, oh man, a PITA to change.



TJR

 

[Robert Thomas]

Wife to open the door.



Selection should be based on how cool the opener is.



:smile0013: