Yes, you can. Whether you wish to upgrade from your old and noisy chain drive opener or simply transition to a quietly operating opener, a replacement with a belt drive garage door opener is a sure way to go. Belt drive systems generally require less maintenance compared to their chain drive counterparts.
What is the most reliable garage door opener?
- Horsepower. The size of your garage door will determine how much horsepower you need. ...
- Drive mechanism. The type of drive your opener uses will affect the amount of noise it makes. ...
- Ceiling- or wall-mounted. ...
- Connectivity. ...
- Additional accessories. ...
How to install chain driven garage door opener?
- Most units hang from angle irons and metal straps that have holes drilled in them at regular intervals.
- Bolt the angle irons to a rafter (or rafters) with lag screws.
- Attach the straps to the irons with hex-head screws.
- Attach the straps to the power unit with the hardware provided.
- Raise the garage door several times to make sure it clears the opener.
How to loosen chain on garage door opener?
- Chain Drive Or Belt Drive Openers
- The Benefits Of Garage Door Opener Chain
- Alternative Methods How To Adjust Garage Door Opener Chain
- Tip For Maintaining the Garage Door Opener Chain
- Final Thoughts
Which garage door opener should I buy?
The best overall garage door opener is the Chamberlain B1381 Bright LED Garage Door Opener (view at Amazon). When you download the associated app you can control your garage doors no matter where you are. If you're looking for a budget pick, check out the BeamUP Workhorse BU100 Garage Door Opener (view at Amazon). It’s easy to set up and it opens garage doors of virtually any size.
Can you use a belt drive instead of a chain?
They run clean as they don't have to be lubricated with sticky lubes and don't require cleaning either. Belt drive systems also run much smoother, with much less jerks as compared to chain drives, and produce incomparably less noise too.
Can you convert a chain drive to belt drive?
If you are looking for less frequent maintenance with your garage door, and less noise overall, you might want to consider converting the chain drive on your garage door to a belt drive. A garage door opener with a belt drive will give your home a quieter alternative for your garage door.
Can I replace a garage door opener unit without changing the rails?
Generally no, you cannot reuse the rail, they are not all exactly the same dimensions. There is no one standard size of profile, even within the same manufacturer, they change over the years.
What is better a belt or chain garage door opener?
The chains used on residential garage door openers typically have higher tensile strength and greater lifting capacity than belts. They also may last longer in certain applications.
How do you install a belt drive garage door opener?
1:3718:42How to Assemble and Install a Chamberlain Belt Drive ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore you install this opener an unbalanced garage door might not reverse when required. Never tryMoreBefore you install this opener an unbalanced garage door might not reverse when required. Never try to loosen. Move or adjust garage door springs cables pulleys brackets or their hardware.
What is a screw drive garage door opener?
Screw drive garage door openers rely on a threaded bar, similar to the threaded bar of a screw, to provide the motion that opens and closes the garage door. The threaded bar rotates in one direction to open the door, and rotates in another direction to close the door.
Can I replace a garage door opener myself?
If you're handy, patient and resourceful, you can probably install a garage door opener yourself in four to six hours.
Are all garage door openers interchangeable?
If it is manufactured in 2011 or later (or if you are uncertain of the manufacture date), you can determine compatibility by the color of the "learn" button near the wiring terminals. If it is yellow it is NOT compatible. But if it is any other color (e.g., red, blue, purple, etc), it is compatible.
How do I upgrade my garage door opener?
1:0814:573 DIY Garage Door Upgrades | Adding insulation, Replacing Opener and ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it looks like I need to remove the chain first then detach everything from the t-bar. And then IMoreSo it looks like I need to remove the chain first then detach everything from the t-bar. And then I can put a t-bar. Down. After disconnecting the farside. I then disconnect the t-bar from the motor.
Is a belt drive garage door opener worth it?
Belt-drive garage door openers are generally more expensive than chain-drive systems. But with a belt-drive system, you get a smoother, quieter, and more durable operation. Many homeowners find that the extra expense is worth it, provided that the belt-drive system is able to lift the door.
Is a belt drive quieter than a chain drive garage door opener?
Belt drive openers are much quieter than their chain drive counterparts. That insanely loud garage door you have? It's a chain drive opener. Belt drive openers are recommended for garages where there may be a bedroom or office above the garage door.
What are the pros and cons of a belt drive garage door opener?
Belt openers also move a lot quicker than chain openers, so it's less time waiting in the driveway to get into your garage. While belt garage doors offer durability and strength, there are limitations to their abilities. Belt openers aren't really recommended for heavy doors, or two-door garages.
Garage Door 101
If you’ve never looked at your garage door before, now is a good time to scope it out. You’ll figure out how everything works with the opener and drive, and we’ll all be on the same page when I start talking about parts.
Belt Drive vs Chain Drive: Overview
Unfortunately, there isn’t one “best option”when you’re shopping for a new garage door opener. Whether you’re looking at a belt drive opener or chain drive opener.
Which Lasts Longer
The average garage door opens between 3-5 times per day. That means, on average, your garage door opener should last long enough to see your baby through freshman year of high school. If you only use the door when you leave for work in the morning and come back at night, you’ll have paid off your mortgage before you buy a new garage door opener.
Replacing Your Garage Door Opener Yourself?
If you’ve been following along with my garage transformation, you know how much I encourage doing projects yourself. You save a lot of cash, learn new skills, and feel like you’ve accomplished something.
When to Repair or Replace Your Garage Door Opener
In Hollywood, garage door openers break in spectacular fashion. The belt or chain splits and the door falls in slow motion on the victim while scary music rises in the background.
The Verdict: Which to Choose
If you want quiet operation or need something that’s easier to maintain, and are okay with paying more, go with the belt drive. I chose this type but have to admit that it sometimes struggles sometimes. Probably because Florida gets much too hot and humid for it.
What is a chain drive garage opener?
Chain Drive Garage Openers. As the name suggests, chain driven garage openers use a metal chain to operate the garage doors. These are the choice model in residential garages because they are cheap and readily available.
What is a rubber belt garage door opener?
The rubber belts allow this garage opener to operate the garage door without creating a thunderous roar that disturbs the entire household. Belt drives are an excellent choice if your garage is attached to the house or have a bedroom over the garage.
How does a belt drive work?
Belt drives use a trolley to move the rubber belts up and down whenever you open and close the garage door. That also allows the system to operate quietly, unlike the noisy purely metallic chain drives. Although belt drives open and close quietly, they have a lower carrying capacity compared to the chain drives.
What is automatic garage door?
Automatic garage doors reduce the raising and lowering of massive doors to a click of a button to allow you quick entry and exit from the garage. Although there are more designs available, chain drive and belt drive openers are the most popular models in Australia. Unfortunately, choosing between the two models amounts to a tricky endeavour.
Can you switch out a garage door opener?
Since both models use a similar mechanism, switching them out doesn’t amount to a herculean effort. In most cases, you can re-use the existing brackets without running into problems.
Is a belt driven garage door opener worth it?
Belt driven garage door openers tend to be more expensive, but they are worth every penny. Since they comprise of rubber and metallic parts and use a trolley to pull the belts, belt drives experience minimal wear and tear.
Do garage doors have chain drives?
While both garage openers use the same mechanical principle to raise and lower the doors, chain drives have a higher load-bearing capacity. Chain drives can operate the larger and heavier doors effortlessly. They are a perfect choice if you have a 2- or 3-car garage door made from a heavy material.
Chain vs Belt: Which Garage Door Opener Is Best?
You’re replacing your garage door to bring your home together. Maybe you’re matching your new windows or doing an update before you put in on the market.
How Chain and Belt Drives Work
Chain drive garage door opener uses a metal chain to open the garage door. These are widely used since they are affordable and easily available. This garage door opener works by moving gears and metal parts together.
Chain vs Belt: Price
When it comes to affordability, you will not be disappointed with a good chain drive garage opener. They are inexpensive and time-tested. Oftentimes, your garage door comes with a common chain drive because they are easily available on the market.
Chain vs Belt: Strength
As previously mentioned, these two styles function the same. One difference is that chain drives are simply stronger: they can lift more than a belt drive. This makes them the choice for moving heavier doors, so consider them if you’re going with a steel carriage. But this won’t be a factor with lighter door models.
Chain vs Belt: Noise
Do you ever make it all the way home, the baby finally asleep, only to ruin it all with a thunderous garage door? Many people like belt drive because they’re the quietest of the garage door openers.
Chain vs Belt: Convenience
Belt drives are slightly faster than other models. This is an added convenience, but it probably won’t make a big difference in your day to day. Similarly, one disadvantage of chain drives is sometimes the chain needs readjustment, but this will only come up once or twice in their lifetime.
What is the difference between a belt and a chain garage door opener?
A chain garage door opener uses a steel chain, while a belt garage door opener supports the weight of the door on a rubber belt. While chain garage door openers are more common, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re better.
How much does a chain drive garage door opener cost?
In fact, most new homes come with a chain garage door opener already installed. A standard chain drive generally costs between $50-$150.
How long does it take to install a belt garage door opener?
If you choose to install a garage door opener yourself, without hiring a professional, it will take between 4-6 hours.
Why do people use a belt garage door opener?
The main reason some people choose a belt garage door opener over a chain garage door opener is for the noise level. Chain drives are much noisier than belt drives. If quiet function matters to you, a belt drive is the way to go.
What is the noise of a chain drive?
Chain drives produce a loud, rattling noise that can be heard throughout the house whenever someone closes or opens the garage door. On the other hand, if you have a detached garage or don’t mind hearing the rattle of your garage door opening, a chain drive will work perfectly.
What is a belt drive?
Belt drives are made of rubber and don’t have as much pulling strength as a steel chain. The last thing you want is for your belt to snap in the middle of opening or closing the garage door. This is rare, but it can happen if the door is especially heavy.
Can you go wrong with a chain garage door opener?
A chain garage door opener will work in any circumstance. If you aren’t sure which type to get, you can’t go wrong with a chain drive. They’re affordable and easy to find online or in your local hardware store.
Price
Chain Drives are the best choice if you are working on a budget since they are the affordable option. Regardless of its price, the chain drive is a top-tier choice that does its job correctly.
Strength
The chain drive is notably superior to the belt drive in terms of strength since it’s able to lift reasonably heavy materials with no trouble. If your garage door is made of heavy material such as metal or hardwood, you may want to pick a chain drive
Noise
If you don’t like loud noises disturbing you, this could be a setback for you since chain drives are noisy. While this could help you notice when someone enters and goes out, it can become a nuisance in the long run.
Battery Backups
Both chain drive and belt drive garage door openers support most kinds of battery backups, so this can be considered a tie between both options. However, keep in mind that some battery backups are different than others.
Conclusion
When it comes to the belt vs chain garage door opener debate, both options are great for your garage, but you must take all the things mentioned before into consideration if you want to choose the correct one.
How long does a belt drive garage door opener last?
It’s hard to say exactly how long a belt drive garage door opener is going to last. A generalization is that any garage door opener will last between 10 and 15 years, and it’s no exception for a belt. In fact, belts typically last longer than chain. This is because the friction of the chain wears it down over time.
Why do belt driven garage doors last longer?
They tend to last longer because there is no friction, they can move the door up and down faster, and they have solid warranties. The only difference in reliability is weight. A belt-driven opener is not reliable if you have a very heavy garage door.
Why are chains cheaper than belts?
Chains are cheaper than belts. Belts are more expensive because the quality of the material is better. Belts also have a longer shelf life because the trolley moves the rubber belt up and down, whereas the chain will wear out because of the friction of metal on metal. As for the noise, chains are the worst.
What is the difference between a chain and a belt?
Literally, the only difference between a chain and a belt is the material. They both open your door the same way. The advantages to using a belt drive is the belt itself. Anyone who has ever used a chain garage door opener knows how loud it is. You get that metal screeching sound as the chain lifts the garage door.
Is a chain stronger than a belt?
For example, chains are much stronger than belts. There’s no getting around it. A chain can lift heavier doors. If you have a steel carriage, you need a chain garage door opener. However, it is a little overkill with lighter door models.
Do belt drive garage doors have warranty?
Another thing is that belt drive garage door openers usually have a better warranty. So even if it does break prematurely, you can always get it fixed on the cheap.
Can a belt drive garage door opener lift the same weight?
Also, this type of door opener is not designed to lift the same weight as a chain drive. For this reason, people who have an oversized garage door or a very heavy garage door should not use a belt drive. It’s way easier to use a chain drive because you don’t have to worry about the rubber snapping. In full honestly, the best reason ...
