garage door openers

[burgundyz71]

We are building a garage and I need 2 openers...Is there any I should stay away from ? Leaning towards Craftsman unless there's a reason to avoid them.

[Shaners]

I'm using an older (7 years old) Craftsman 1/2 horse chain drive. It has worked pretty good, but for some unkown reason, about twice a year it stops about 4" short of full open. Both times I hit the door with my truck when backing in the garage.

 

I don't think there is anything wrong with the Craftsman openers, my biggest complaint is that it is noisy, and that may be because of the chain-drive.

[Hecktorx]

Get a screw drive, not a chain drive. They may be a little more expensive but well worth the added expense. They open and close the door a little slower but they're a lot quieter, there's no chain to stretch and re adjust and easier to install.

 

My perference is Lift Master. Mainly because they use a one piece track. That makes the install time quicker and the shaft is a little stronger. The one draw back with lift master is I don't know if they sell to the general public. Both Genie and Craftsman make good products too. I've installed all different kinds and I like those three brands the best.

 

I've been doing garage door and opener installations as a side buisiness for about 8 years now. I have used all three brands and the only call backs I ever get for the screw type is because the safety sensors got wacked and the door wouldn't operate. I've never had a motor or structual failure. I hope this helps.

 

Kenny

[RyanbabZ71]

Check out the belt drives. Chamberlain (lift master) has one its right around $180 on sale at menards. They have a lifetime warranty on the belt. This is how I would rank them

 

1. Belt (quiet and lifetime warranty)

2. Screw (you have to lube them every 6 months or they get noisy)

3. Chain (noisy)

 

Bad thing about craftsman (personal experience) is my opener quit working and to replace that they want $40 a whole kit is like $140

[Wingnut]

Yup, belt is the really quiet one.

 

I have a screw drive, and It's really quiet (I lube it about once every 3 months), and twice as fast as a chain drive going up. Going down it's about the same speed.

 

Oh...It's a "Genie" brand opener.