October 7, 2016

6 things to know before buying your next garage door opener

Interior Garage View

Upon first glance, it might seem that all garage door openers are created equal. This is just not the case. There are different types of openers available to fit the exact specifications of each type of door on the market today, so there are important considerations that need to be taken into account.

What do you really need?

As you begin to look at garage door openers, think about the setting that you have. Does your garage form a part of the house, or is it detached? Some garages are even located in the backyard, so this is something to consider as well. Why, you might ask? An attached garage may have a room above it. If so, you will want to have a quieter door opener than one that is designed for a detached unit.

Measure the space above your door

If your garage door was installed without taking into consideration the possible addition of an electric opener at a later date, you will need to measure the available space over the door. This applies even if the hardware needed is already in place and waiting to be used. This is important because you will need a minimum of 2 inches if you hope to implement an opener that makes use of a central trolley system. Do not despair if you do not have this much available space, as we do have an alternative solution for you. In order to properly assess your particular situation, contact us so that we can go over your options.

Taking a cathedral or sloped ceiling into consideration

Many customers come to us wondering what type of opener can be installed in their garage that has a cathedral or sloped ceiling. While a trolley style door opener can be installed, the length of the actual trolley will vary depending on the height of your door. Naturally, your door height varies depending on how tall the ceiling is, which may result in horizontal tracks that are inclined. This is not an issue, but it will require some additional planning. We will be happy to help you with that.

Our recommendation in these situations is to install a side-mounted garage door opener. Some refer to this as a jackshaft opener, and it is meant to be installed right next to the door. We will typically attach this to the torsion bar that keeps the spring system in check. There does need be a minimum of 3 inches of space available from the ceiling down to the center portion of the torsion bar. We have to account for an opener that is 6 inches wide and 16 inches high. As well, you will want a minimum of 8 inches available from the garage wall at the side all the way to the end of that same torsion bar. In the end, a jackshaft opener is a great option for these types of ceilings, and it contains the very same features that are available on trolley-type system. This includes a safety reversal system that you certainly need.

Available accessories

Just as cars today have an array of accessories to appeal to different types of people, the same can be said of garage door openers. You will want to drop by our showroom and see all of the different options that are available. Some might not appeal to you, while others will be exactly what you have been looking for. The type of accessories that you choose ultimately depends on the type of garage door opener that you select. Many are designed to simplify and streamline your life. It is important to keep in mind that all of the openers we stock come already equipped with two different types of reversal systems for your safety. This includes a photoelectric system, as well as a traditional mechanical one.

We have every type of garage door and accessory that you could possible need, so you can call us at 705-324-1005 to make an appointment for someone to come out to your home. We also have a unique Design Centre on our website that enables you to design the garage door best suited to your home and stylistic design, as well as request a free quotation. Our professional sales team stands at the ready to go over every option that will meet your needs, and we have a complete team of installers that will get the job done for you to your exact expectation. We look forward to serving you soon.

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