Choosing the right opening mechanism is critical for finding the right garage door. Modern automatic garage door openers get rid of the hassle of having to lift and pull on a garage door in order to open or close it. There are many different types of garage door openers to choose from, each with their own benefits. Here is a look at some of the key features of popular garage door openers:

Chain Drive Openers: These types of garage door openers operate via a chain that is attached to a trolley, which moves to open the door. These are most most economical garage door openers because they have the least amount of moving parts. However, they are also the noisiest, which may be an issue if you have a two-story house with a room directly above the garage.

Belt Drive Openers: A belt drive garage opener operates in a similar manner to a chain drive opener. The main difference is that a solid belt of material drives the opening and closing of the door rather than a chain. The belt is made from a sturdy material such as polyurethane, fiberglass or rubber. The lack of metal on metal contact makes this quieter than a chain drive opener.

Screw Drive Openers: Instead of using a belt or chain, a screw driver garage opener use a steel rod that is threaded to facilitate the opening and closing of the door. This method is very quiet and also has less moving parts that can break.