Are Chain or Screw Drive Garage Door Openers Better? (Solved!)

What is the best garage door opener depends on many factors, such as what are your needs, means, and wants. But for many people, the choice boils down to the question are chain or screw drive garage door openers better?

The truth is that both of these types of openers have advantages and disadvantages, while the quality of materials and build makes them equal. Which one is better depends on your specific situation.

But just saying that they are equal doesn’t answer the question. So, let’s see what are the pros and cons of both of these garage door openers. And also, let’s dig into some other matters you should be aware of when choosing an opener for your garage.

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Are chain or screw drive garage door openers better?

Which one of these two types is better depends on what you need and what you can live with. Both of them have the similar build quality, but the way they operate brings certain advantages and disadvantages. So, let’s get on with what those are, so you could choose the best one for yourself.

Chain drive garage door openers

Chain drive openers use a mechanism of a trolly and a chain similar to the one you can find on bicycles to open and close the doors. There are very popular because of their more affordable price compared to other types. But also for resistance to temperature changes and the ability to work in many environments with just a little care.

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Disadvantages are the noise and needed maintenance. The chain will rattle slightly even when everything works fine. And it will need to be adjusted eventually, though this is usually done every 5-8 years. So, you might need to adjust the chain two-three times over its lifespan. And it takes just 10 minutes to do.

Screw drive garage door openers

Instead of pulling chains, in screw drive type the trolley is traveling along a threaded shaft, while a gear is rolling over it. Because of this, it has much fewer parts than the chain drive type and also requires much less maintenance.

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But, this type of drive needs to be built with very low tolerances to work properly. This makes it very sensitive to temperature changes, and in some areas where temps tend to swing by a lot, it can very easily get stuck. High humidity and salt in the air can also disrupt their operation, so, they are best for areas with somewhat stable temps and low humidity.

How long do garage door openers last?

On average a garage door opener should last between 15 and 25 years. But the exact lifespan depends on many factors. The design, exact materials used, the dimensions of parts, and how often and in which manner it is used. So, the lifespan varies a lot between different manufacturers and their models.

Also, the weather conditions and lack of proper maintenance can severely shorten the life of your garage door opener. To get the most out of it, you should take proper care of it. That it is time for getting a new one you will recognize by the appearance of symptoms that it is failing.

Symptoms of failing garage door opener

There are three sure signs that your garage door opener has reached the terminal phase of its life and should be replaced very soon:

  • strange and irregular noises,
  • vibrations,
  • slow operation.

Strange and irregular noise

Almost all garage door openers are making some regular rhythmical sound while operating. It is normal because they have parts that click, clang, or pang; against each other when everything works as it should.

But, if you start noticing any kind of whine, or irregular pinging and clanking, it means that the internal parts are starting to wear sufficiently to be a problem. Broken springs, broken or worn gear teeth, and so on will produce irregular sounds.

But also various issues with the chain could be the problem. But, in general, the opener is nearing the end of its life.

Vibrations

All of the moving parts in the opener’s mechanism, when sufficiently worn down can lead to vibrations while opening and closing the garage door. Also, they can get bent or warped over time, and it will be a sign that you need to replace them.

In some cases, you might be able to replace just a faulty part, but generally, it’s not worth it. You could extend its life for a year or two, but it will cost you a higher percentage of the price of the new one than the percentage of the prolonged life span. It would extend its life by 5%-10%, while costing you 30%-40% of a new unit.

Reasons to replace a garage door opener

There are many reasons why you should think about getting a new garage door opener. So, let’s get over some of them.

Aging

Old openers will start functioning less than perfect. And the day, when they will completely fail, is getting closer and closer. So it is always a good idea to replace it before you get stuck with your car in your garage.

Noise

When the opener is producing excessive noise it can be a problem for various reasons. And the noise can be a symptom of problems with the opener’s mechanism. So, it is always better to replace it before the problems escalate.

Safety

Many old openers do not meet local safety codes, but also are not very secure and some intruders could use this to enter your home. Also, there is a question of emergency and will you are responders be able to operate it quickly. Most of the older openers do not have any sensor for stopping them from closing if a person or animal is in the door’s path.

For all of these reasons, and maybe the improvement of the functionality, such as keypad entry or automatic sensors, you should think about getting a new opener.

Conclusion

Are chain or screw drive garage door openers better, depends on several factors. Their quality today is practically the same. But, where you live and with what you can live, should decide which type you will choose.