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Close to 96% of the garage door opener sales has two distinct types, and they are the belt drive garage door openers and the chain drive garage door openers.
These two types of garage door openers are so evenly popular that most times one might feel confuse between a belt vs chain garage door opener. Which garage door opener should you choose?
It’s time to compare these two garage door openers and find out which is the best type for your garage door.
Here, the advantages and disadvantages of the belt drive opener and the chain drive garage door would be openly discussed. So, you can feel free to choose which is the best for you between them.
How To Determine The Right Garage Door Opener For You
The chain drive garage door uses a metal made chain to drive the garage doors while the belt drive opener uses a belt to drive the garage doors on their track.
Herein, chains are interlocked and joined together while the belts are matched together with successive loops inside the belt.
Strength
Strength can determine if the belt drive opener or chain drive opener can open a single door garage or a double door garage.
| Belt Drive Opener | Chain Drive Opener |
|---|---|
| In terms of strength, the belt drive opener can lift almost all garage door types. They are very durable, and they have really been developed with time to be extensively used across other machines (such as motorcycles). | Chain drive has the ability to lift two garage doors at the same time. This may be a struggle for the belt drive opener. Also, when doing the lifting of that amount of garage doors, they will do so without any fear of slipping in the process. |
Noise
Noise is another fact you will want to think about. After all, you never want to intentionally disturb your neighbors and receive complaints.
| Belt Drive Openers | Chain Drive Openers |
|---|---|
| Belt drive openers are very quiet when bringing up or lowering down your garage doors. Belt drive openers make little to no noise. | When lowering the garage door, these can cause a lot of noise. Chain drive is best for garage doors which are detached from the house as the noise would not have any effect on the people in it. The chain drive garage door uses a metal chain to drive the doors, and this make a lot of noise when in use. |
Speed
Yes, the speed of the garage door matters, at least as much as the strength of your garage door opener does. These two go hand in hand. Who likes to wait a long time in the car for the garage door to open? We bet you don’t.
| Belt Drive | Chain Drive |
|---|---|
| A belt drive garage door opener opens your door at a faster speed at least when comparing it to the chain drive. | Chain drive would open doors too at its own speed but definitly slower than the belt drive counterpart. |
Installation
Some will be easier and others will be a bit complex when installation hassles come at hand.
| Belt Drive | Chain Drive |
|---|---|
| During installation of a garage door opener, the belt drive garage door opener is easier to install than the chain drive. | The chain drive is slightly difficult to install. It takes a bit of time and other tools when you are trying to install the chain drive. |
Availability
Now, availability can become a big issue if a certain model, specifically you model of choice is rare in the market. This issue gets even troublesome while finding repair parts or accessories for that unit too.
| Belt Drive | Chain Drive |
|---|---|
| You can sure get the belt drive at several stores. It is not scarce, and you can find a replacement easily. | A chain drive, just like the belt drive, is also available at countless stores. Yet, it is easier to replace them without having to look all around. |
Maintenance
None of us wants to have an opener that requires frequent maintenance and repairs. It adds up extra cost and labor that will make you hate the garage door opener you have.
| Belt Drive | Chain Drive |
|---|---|
| A belt drive garage door opener comes with a little maintenance cost and commitment in comparison with the chain drive door opener as it doesn’t need to be lubricated. | A chain drive garage door opener, on the other hand, needs to be lubricated and this is an extra cost which also adds additional commitment. |
Lifespan
No doubt, every car owner wants a long lasting garage door opener for their money. You don’t like the trouble of buying new drive garage door openers and replace the one you have bought last month.
| Belt Drive | Chain Drive |
|---|---|
| These drive garage door openers have a lesser lifespan in comparison to the chain drive garage door opener. These drive garage door openers will need a constant replacement at a certain period of time. | The chain drive garage door opener, on the other hand, will last longer. These drive garage door openers are durable, and replacement takes longer, unlike belt drive garage door openers. |
Resistance
Garage door openers are susceptible to environmental occurrences that can damage garage door openers such as humidity and temperature changesc. Therefore, it is better to opt for a material that can withstand natural phenomenons.
| Belt Drive | Chain Drive |
|---|---|
| Natural phenomenon like humidity or temperature would affect belt drive. They may shrink it or just change the form. | The chain drive garage door opener, on the other hand, is very strong against temperature or other natural phenomenons. They stand firm and strong despite changing humidity or temperature. |
Price Point
When it comes to belt drive vs chain drive openers pricing matters depending on your budget.
| Belt Drive | Chain Drive |
|---|---|
| These are a little bit expensive in the market, and this may even account for the reason why they may be scarcer than the chain drive. | A chain drive opener is less expensive, and in fact, this may account for its abundance. They are easy and affordable in the market. |
Frequently Asked Questions
My Garage Door Is Refusing To Close, What Might Be The Problem?
The problem may be the light beam sensor. Most of the modern garage doors have a built-in beam sensor that detects if anything is blocking the way. If there is something blocking the way, it refuses to close the door to avoid destruction or cause injuries.
My Door Does Not Have Beam Sensors And Is Not Closing?
If you’re sure that your door does not have beam sensors, check there might be a physical block on the path.
My Door Is Not Responding To Remote Inputs, What Might Be The Issue?
Check the batteries of your remote controller. If they are just ok, check your door for proper installation.
Final Verdict
It’s still your choice to choose between the belt drive garage vs chain drive door opener. There will always be the one which appeals to the mind of each person. Whichever one you choose, just make sure to use your heart’s content and be satisfied.