Garage door openers
 

I'm looking for two garage door openers that will work for 8 foot doors. The doors are not very heavy. The contractor that built my garage said that a 1/2hp opener would probably work fine. What does everybody recommend? Home Depot sells 1/2hp Chamberlain openers in belt and chain drives, ranging in price from $129-$289. I know I do not want a direct-drive opener, my Dad near killed himself installing his, but the opener must work with 8 foot doors. Any input/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Garage door openers
 

I have a Lift Master, the thing is bad arse, but a lil noisy, I have heard
good and bad about everything out there, Sears offers one w/ a back-
up battery, for like power outages, and I have heard alot of people use
the ones w/ the Screwdrives, supposivly really quiet, did I help at all :hm:

Re: Garage door openers
 

I have a craftsmen chain drive and is is very quiet. My buddy has a screw drive and his is LOUD as hell.

Re: Garage door openers
 

The Lift Master and the Chamberlain brand door openers are from the same company. I have two of them, one is on a 12X10 foot door and the other is on a 9X7 foot door. Both work fine, and they are both chain drive units. I like that, due to the adjustability and ease of dealing with any repairs.

Re: Garage door openers
 

We have a liftmaster 3/4 horse on our shop door, it is 12 ft wide and 18 ft tall, never had a problem with the opener in the 14 years it has been in use and it is opened and closed at least 2 times a day and more on the weekends. But it is the professional series and it is LOUD AS HELL, you can't talk when it is running.

Re: Garage door openers
 

Do I need a special one because my door is taller than average, or will any one work?

Re: Garage door openers
 

I'm using a Belt drive on a 16' door , just did a adjustment after 5 years , and it is QUIET .

Re: Garage door openers
 

My door is 12' wide x 8' high and 1/2hp. It's a Genie screw drive with no probs.

Re: Garage door openers
 

Something I always throw into the debate on door openers is to make sure and mount it at the center of the door instaed of one end or the other. It has become commonplace now to see them mounted at one end on new houses/garages around here. Its a bad idea because it torques the door. It literally ripped my parent's door apart at the seams

Re: Garage door openers
 

Damn I have never seen one mounted on one side or the other, I would think that would prematurely wear everything on the door and the opener itself. Do you have any idea why they mount some of them like that? Seems like it wouldn't be any cheaper and it would just cause more problems.

Re: Garage door openers
 

I guess its probably to avoid having to add the third rail in the center, but if I remember correctly, they still have an extra rail on whatever side they put it on. Maybe their plan was to allow you to fit taller vehicles. I just couldn't tell you.

Re: Garage door openers
 

Or maybe it was just a plot by the garage door manufactures so that you have to buy a new door every so often!

Re: Garage door openers
 

That just sounds like av really stupid idea to mount it on one side, common sense would tell you that.
I appreciate all the advice, I'm going shopping this weekend!

Re: Garage door openers
 

I bought my grandpa a craftsman a few years ago....I don't know how big the door is but but it handles it well. It's one of the 1/2 hp models.

Mike