Educate me on garage door openers

[ace3]

Any brands to stay away from? Any brands that are consistenly good?

Pros/Cons of belt, chain, or screw drive?

House is your basic "mcmansion", new construction, with a 3-car garage. 14' ceilings. One Double door, and one single door. Double door has torsion springs, single has extension springs (do I want to have them replace the extension springs for torsion?)

Sometime I'd like to have the single door open against the ceiling, in the event that a 4-post lift goes in. That's years down the road, however.

Any the obligatory pic:

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I would invest in a couple of lights for behind that support beam as well. Looks kind of dark back there...

 

[ace3]

I would invest in a couple of lights for behind that support beam as well. Looks kind of dark back there...

Haven't moved in yet, but already installed 4 outlets across the back ... putting in a LOT more lighting.

 

[Hutchman]

Well, I'm no expert. but I did just recently have an 18x9 door and opener installed in my shop. Talking to the installer it goes like this-quietest is the belt drive, strongest is the chain drive. This guy was against the screw drive totally-said they were junk and the screws would break. OTOH, I have a Genie screw drive on the 16x7 door in my attached garage that has worked flawlessly for almost 13 years. Since the guy was installing my door I went ahead and had him install a Liftmaster Professional chain drive unit. To date, it hasn't been used much, so I can't testify as to it's quality. You see Chamberlain brand in the box stores. Chamberlain owns Liftmaster, or vice versa, so I'd assume the units were similar.
I'm confused as to why the builder would use two different spring types?
Nice garage! Hutch

 

[ktkodama]

I would have the system changed out to a torsion system. The best opener on the market would be the 1/2 HP LiftMaster 3850. It comes with a battery back-up and a great warranty, lifetime on belt and motor five years on parts. The main difference between the Chamberlain and LiftMaster is the LiftMaster has a one piece rail.

 

[ktkodama]

I don't even see any safety cables on the extension spring side.

 

[ace3]

I would have the system changed out to a torsion system. The best opener on the market would be the 1/2 HP LiftMaster 3850. It comes with a battery back-up and a great warranty, lifetime on belt and motor five years on parts. The main difference between the Chamberlain and LiftMaster is the LiftMaster has a one piece rail.

Good to know. Thanks!!

I plan on having them put a torsion spring on that side. I don't like the extension springs at all.

What's a reasonable charge to have the extension springs removed & a torsion installed, any idea?

I don't even see any safety cables on the extension spring side.

They're there, I promise.

 

[Bubbles]

Ace, you never bought anther garage with a pole in the middle

bubbles from OT

 

[ace3]

Ace, you never bought anther garage with a pole in the middle

bubbles from OT

i can't get away from the garage pole!

 

[bluesman2a]

i can't get away from the garage pole!

Paint it brass colored. Then it's not a problem, just use it for the chicks who bring you beer and need a place to dance...

Seriously though...

Is a lift in your future? If so, do it all at one time, have the door(s) converted to high-lift rails, put a torsion bar in, and use the Liftmaster 3800 jackshaft openers. They have a cleaner install/look than normal openers (I have two 3850's and they are good, but not as clean/easy).

If there's no lift and you don't want to re-work the rails, then 3850 is a great opener.

 

[ace3]

Paint it brass colored. Then it's not a problem, just use it for the chicks who bring you beer and need a place to dance...

Seriously though...

Is a lift in your future? If so, do it all at one time, have the door(s) converted to high-lift rails, put a torsion bar in, and use the Liftmaster 3800 jackshaft openers. They have a cleaner install/look than normal openers (I have two 3850's and they are good, but not as clean/easy).

If there's no lift and you don't want to re-work the rails, then 3850 is a great opener.

actually, i think we're going to polish the garage pole ... should polish to a nice sheen rather easily, then get some clear coat on it.

A lift won't come anytime soon, unfortunately, so I think i'll wait on the high-lift rails, unless my garage door guy will cut me a deal. We'll have to see about that.

 

[PEBCPA]

I just finished a 3 car garage and I had the liftmaster 3800 jackshaft opener installed on all 3 doors. I also have the high lift rails and the combination is great! I can't comment on the durability since they were just installed but they seem to be made well. The garage door installer said he installed about 60 of them over the last 2 years and only had a problem with one.

I think they were about $200 more than the 3850 and well worth it. My ceilings in there are 10'8" (the middle bay is a cathedrel up to the roof line) so I don't have to worry about hitting the doors with 2x4's since they're up close to the ceiling.

Good Luck!

 

[ace3]

That's good to know. I really like those jackshaft openers, sure would be nice.

i'll have to talk to my garage door guy & see what he has to say about the cost of bringing the garage doors up to the ceiling