Homeowners have two choices in garage door installation: Chain vs. Belt Openers. Both are effective methods. Choosing between the two is a matter of your priorities. This post takes a closer look at the differences between chain and belt garage door openers so you can make an informed decision.
How Chain and Belt Garage Door Openers Work
Chain garage door openers are popular because they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to get. The chain is attached to springs that control how the garage door opens and closes.
A belt garage door opener uses a rubber belt that slides a trolley along a rail to open and close the door.
The physical movement of the two methods is similar. The differences between the two come down to affordability, strength, noise, and ease of use.
Price
A chain-drive garage door opener is inexpensive. It’s readily available on the garage door opener marketplace. A belt garage door opener costs a little bit more but may be more cost-effective thanks to its durability and long shelf life. Chain door openers are susceptible to wear and tear due to the scraping metal parts.
Strength
Chain drives are capable of lifting more weight than belt drives. If you have a heavy garage door — especially if you have a two-car garage — or you plan on using steel carriages, you’ll most likely want a chain opener.
Belt drives are still in the improvement phase when it comes to strength, but they’re better suited to smaller garages and doors that aren’t made of wood.
Noise
Perhaps the most noticeable difference between the two types of garage door openers is how much noise they generate. Belt drives are much quieter than chain drives simply because they don’t have that metallic clash at work.
However, if your garage is detached from your house, noise may not be as much of an issue. You may be okay with the stronger chain if that’s the case.
Ease of Use
Belt garage door openers are generally faster than chain openers. How much that matters is up for debate, though — chain openers are still faster than getting out of your car and manually lifting the door.
Chain garage door openers sometimes need to be recalibrated and adjusted, but in most cases, this is necessary only once or twice in the opener’s lifespan.
Which Is Right for You?
D Bar Garage Doors can help you decide whether a chain or belt garage door opener is better for you. Once you decide, we can install or replace your garage door with guaranteed durability. To find out more or schedule an appointment, contact us online.
