Installing a garage door can take quite a bit of time and effort, but it’s only half the battle – you also need to be able to operate it every day. It can be hard to figure out exactly what kind of opener is best. Have you ever asked the question: How much horsepower do I need for a 2 car garage door?
Some 2-car garage doors can be opened with a 1/2 HP motor – if they are particularly lightweight – but most doors of this size will require at least 3/4 horsepower to operate. Some heavier doors, like those made from wood, will need 1 HP or more.
Read ahead in this article to discover everything you need to know about the motor that a 2 car garage door needs, so that you can be sure that yours open and close easily every time.
What Affects How Much Horsepower A Garage Door Needs?
Although some 2-car garage doors can be operated by a 1/2 horsepower motor, it will really depend on how heavy it is. There are actually a number of factors that can influence exactly what kind of door opener you might need, and how powerful it should be.
In general terms, it is the weight of your door that will have the most impact on the horsepower it will require. That weight, however, is affected by multiple things, including:
- Door Size (1 Car or 2 Car)
- Door Type
- Opening Mechanism
- Material Used
- Level of Insulation
With this in mind, you might need a more powerful motor than you think, if your garage door is particularly heavy or if it does not have a properly balanced spring mechanism.
How Much Horsepower Is Best for Different Types of 2 Car Garage Doors?
Most of the time, a 3/4 HP motor is all that you will need for a 2-car door, but that is not always the case. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of doors that you might have, and the horsepower you will be looking at for each one.
- Steel or Aluminum Two Car Door: 1/2 HP or 3/4 HP
- Fiberglass: 1/2 HP or 3/4 HP
- Insulated: 1 HP
- Wood: 1 HP or more
This is largely to do with how heavy these doors tend to be. Lightweight steel double-car garage doors usually weigh between 150 and 200 pounds, but a wooden door can be as much as 350 pounds.
Weight isn’t everything, however, and you might not need as much horsepower as you think with certain doors. The spring on your garage door, for example, will balance out the majority of the weight of the door itself. If your door is properly balanced, it will not need as much power to open.
Can A 1/2 HP Motor Operate A 2 Car Garage Door?
The cheapest and most common openers out there are the 1/2 HP options. These are generally best for single-car garage doors, although they can operate some of the more lightweight double-car doors as well.
It’s not a good idea to risk it, though. To be on the safe side, a 3/4 HP motor is a much better bet. These are more reliable, more durable, and can come with additional features as well.
How Much Do Garage Door Openers Cost?
When you’re looking at the different kinds of garage door openers out there, you might want to pay as little money as possible. It is important, though, to make sure that you are going to get enough power for it to do the job, particularly when it comes to two-car doors that can be significantly heavier.
The cost of the various door openers that you can buy will usually be around:
- 1/2 HP: $100-$200
- 3/4 HP: $180 – $250
- 1 HP+: $200 – $500
Don’t forget, though, that the extra cost is not always just about getting more power – you often get extra features as well.
What Should You Consider When Buying A Garage Door Opener?
Horsepower is just one element of what your garage door opener is all about. Yes, the power is important, but you also want to consider the features that come with it as well. Some of these can make a huge difference to the day-to-day operation of your door and are well worth investing a little extra money early on.
- Mobile Integration: More expensive openers often come with the ability to operate your door using your mobile phone, which is very convenient.
- Smart Home Integration: You can also find openers that will connect with your home and open the door automatically as you arrive, or work with your Alexa or Google Assistant to become voice-activated.
- Auto-Close: Forgetting to close your garage door may not be a common problem, but it can be a huge security issue if it does happen. An auto-close feature might just save you from a lot of pain in the future.
- Backup Power: If you want to be able to operate your garage door no matter what is happening with the power in your house, a backup battery might be an essential feature.
Are Higher Horsepower Door Openers Better?
When you’re shopping around, you will probably be wondering whether it’s worth forking out a little extra for a more powerful motor – just in case.
Despite the initial cost, a higher horsepower door opener is usually going to be a better value investment overall. First of all, it’s always a good idea to go for more power than you think you might need, because the alternative can be a costly mistake.
Besides the power alone, higher HP door openers are more likely to have better additional features, they are generally more durable, and they have better longevity. It’s cheaper to buy one high-quality opener that lasts for 15 years rather than three or four low-cost options within the same time frame.
Summary: How Much Horsepower Do I Need for a 2 Car Garage Door?
So, how much horsepower do you need for a 2-car garage door? While you might be able to get away with a 1/2 HP motor, a 3/4 HP opener is the best option to start with. Not only will it be able to handle a heavier door, but it is also more likely to last and it will probably come with better features as well.
If your door is particularly heavy (made from solid wood, for example) then you will need a more powerful motor, with 1 HP or even more.