2006-10-18 14:50:30 · 16 answers · asked by Nicole D 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
I'd prefer screw drive.
Less noise, easily maintained.
2006-10-18 14:56:28 · answer #1 · answered by Warren914 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hands down the belt drive. I work at a garage door dealer as a tech and installer. We do not even carry screwdrives. The screw drive is quiet at first, but after a while it gets very noisy. Also a screw drive, as it gets older can sling the lubricant in it all over the face of your door. When you see a door with a streak down the middle, you can bet they have a screw drive. Also, they deliver more torque than the other two. So when your spring breaks, or something in the doorway (but not blocking the eyes), it is harder to stop which can cause more damage to your car, door, or whatever else is in the way. Chain drives are very good openers. They are durable and last a long time. I have yet to see a broken chain except when it was installed in a constant wet environment, or it was a 30 plus year old commercial opener. That said, I the only chain opener i saw with a broken "chain" was a craftsman, chamberlain and Overhead brand opener where they use half cable and and half chain. Where the cable connects to the chain the cable snapped. Our best seller and my personal favorite is the belt drive. It is much quieter and lasts just as long as a chain drive. The belt does not, or I have yet to see one "stretch". The Craftsman, chamberlain and Liftmaster ones have spring tensioners on them, so they always stay tight. As an added bonus the Chamberlain and Craftsman openers have 10 year warranties on their belts. The Liftmaster has lifetime warranty on the belts. Like I said hands down belt drives are the best bang for the buck. Or if you have the money and your garage is wired properly check out the Liftmaster Jackshaft opener. I would stay away from the Wayne Dalton idrive. They are junk. ***Check out the belt drives with battery backup***
2016-05-22 01:01:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello Nicole:
If I was buying a new garage door opener, I would go for one with a chain drive. The insides of the machines are almost identical, but the chain drive is more secure and will last you a lifetime.
Also, with a chain drive, it is virtually impossible to brake into a garage by lifting the door. With a belt drive, as the belt gets older it tends to slide on the pulley making it easier to life the door by hand.
I hope this helps
iamjustrandy@yahoo.com
2006-10-18 15:03:55 · answer #3 · answered by Randy S 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Belts are good for high speed, "stay clean" and low pull applications. In this application belts are quite unnecessary and probably a good idea to have a spare belt on hand. Chain is very reliable and is rather quiet in comparison to the sound of the door regardless of the drive system. Mine happens to be a drive screw, but if I was choosing.... I would pick chain .
2006-10-18 15:12:07 · answer #4 · answered by 33ea 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've installed quite a few, and many here have given the better of 3 choices,,Gear driven.
One answer suggests noise? It's a garage!!!
The gear drive mechanism, (motor) is much the same as the others, but in total there are less moving parts in a gear drive unit, and maintenance is an easier task.
Certainly the other two choices can be just as valid, but as you can see, personal preference is often what one gets when asking a question in this category.
Steven Wolf
2006-10-18 15:08:51 · answer #5 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only time you need a belt drive is if you want the opener to run as quite as possable.Say if there is a bedroom above the garage.The chain drive is just as good maybe better, just a little louder.Some people buy them even for detacted garages thinking they must be better becauce they cost more. that is not the case
2006-10-18 15:56:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Same Chain for 30 years in the family home. As, mentioned above you may want to consider a Screw Drive also, I not sure. To me the Door make noise just opening and the type opener not matter.
2006-10-18 14:59:23 · answer #7 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chain will last longer, but be noisier.
Belt drive will be quieter, but the belts will need replacements from time to time.
Chain will also be less prone to problems in very cold weather, if that's an issue where you are.
It's really a trade-off... and also depends how close your nearest neigbours are, whether you often open or close the door at 3 in the morning, etc...
2006-10-18 14:57:58 · answer #8 · answered by IanP 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we had an older set of doors and then replaced our opener for a chain drive...it was noisy
after swapping out for new doors with the older replaced opener the sound levels dropped a great amount.
I would suggest a belt system as it really cuts down on the noise but remember that if you have an older door, you'll still have some noise
2006-10-18 15:14:19 · answer #9 · answered by D S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my limited experience I would say chain drive with the teeth. belt drive can just well go out on you and your not sure why. The chain drive it's either the motor, the switch, or the controller.
2006-10-18 14:55:28 · answer #10 · answered by Grev 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I prefer chain drive. Some people claim its noisy and greasy, but not for me. The door squeaks louder than the opener itself.
2006-10-18 14:53:45 · answer #11 · answered by mrbadmood 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋