The Three Main Types of Residential Garage Door Openers – A Crash Course

Overall, there are five types of garage door openers: Chain drive, belt drive, screw drive, jackshaft, and direct-drive. Up until about two years ago, chain, belt and screw drive openers were the main three types of garage door openers specified for residential use.  Now, door manufacturers continue to use chain and belt openers but have been moving away from using screw drive openers.

Once primarily only specified for commercial applications, jackshaft openers have been gaining popularity because they require less overhead door clearance. In addition, since screw drive openers require more maintenance than jackshaft openers (such as occasional lubrication and frequent adjustments to avoid dirt and debris clogging the screw threads) they are now being replaced by jackshaft openers as one of the top three. Based on current trends for the three main opener types commonly specified for residential use, for the focus in this article, we’re covering chain, jackshaft, and belt.

When comparing prices among these three openers, although they can overlap in price range, overall, chain drive openers are the most basic and therefore typically the least expensive option (+/- $200), followed by belt drive (range $250-$350), with a jackshaft opener being the most expensive ($400 or more depending on features and brand).

Each of the three opener types are activated in the same way. Once the motor is activated, however, the method of moving the garage door differs for each type.  Here are basic explanations of how each opener works:

Chain Drive Opener

For heavier doors, a chain drive may be a better choice because of its strength. Chain drive garage door openers operate in a similar manner to a belt drive, but instead of a belt, it uses a metal chain to move the garage door. They are the lowest in price of the three we’re covering and known for durability but can be noisy. Here’s how it works:

Motor Activation: When a remote or wall button is pressed, the motor inside the opener is powered on.

Chain Movement: The motor drives a gear that turns a metal chain (like a bicycle chain) running along a rail. The chain is attached to a trolley that is connected to the garage door.

Trolley and Door Movement: As the chain moves, it pulls the trolley along the rail, which moves the garage door up or down. The movement is louder than a belt drive because of the metal-on-metal contact of the chain and gears.

Limit Switches: Like a belt drive system, the opener has limit switches that tell the motor to stop when the door is fully open or closed. This prevents the door from over traveling in either direction.

Advantage: Durability and cost-effectiveness are the main advantages of a chain drive opener.

Jackshaft Opener

Jackshaft openers require the least amount of space for installation of the three we’re discussing, however they can be the most expensive, and require a more complex installation. Here’s how it works:

Motor Activation: When a remote or wall button is pressed, the opener motor is activated.

Jackshaft Movement: Jackshaft garage door openers attach to the side of the door and connects directly to the torsion bar above the garage door. There’s no chain, belt, overhead rail, trolley or track system, which eliminates most the noise associated with overhead-mount openers. 

Torsion Bar and Door: The opener controls the movement of the garage door by directly turning the torsion bar, which winds or unwinds the torsion springs that counterbalance the door's weight. Many jackshaft openers use a DC motor that operates quietly so they are an excellent choice for attached garages or locations where a quiet space is priority.

Limit Switches: The opener uses limit switches that signal the motor when to stop when the door is fully open or closed. These switches prevent the door from over-traveling, as over-travel can cause damage to the door and / or opener.

Advantage:

One of the notable advantages of a jackshaft opener is quiet operation because of fewer moving parts than an overhead opener. There is also a considerable space savings with jackshaft openers so in garages with high ceilings, using a jackshaft opener frees up wall space for storing personal belongings. With fewer moving parts and no chain or belt, it is cleaner and requires minimal maintenance.

Belt Drive

A belt drive garage door opener works with a rubber or reinforced belt (typically made of steel, fiberglass, or another durable material like Hörmann’s Aramid Fiber Reinforced Belt) that moves a trolley along a rail, which in turn opens or closes the garage door. Belt drives are slightly more expensive than chain drive openers, have quieter operation, are often considered a good balance between price and performance and may include more advanced features. Here's how it works:

Motor Activation: When a remote or wall button is pressed, the opener motor is activated.

Belt Movement: The motor spins a pulley system that moves the belt along the rail. The belt is connected to a trolley that is attached to the garage door.

Trolley and Door: As the belt moves, it pulls the trolley, which in turn moves the garage door up or down. The smooth belt action ensures the door cycles quietly and steadily.

Limit Switches: The opener uses limit switches that signal the motor when to stop when the door is fully open or closed. These switches prevent the door from over-traveling, as over-travel can cause damage to the door and / or opener.

Advantage: Quiet operation is the main advantage of a belt drive opener.  The belt absorbs most of the noise created by the motor and movement of mechanical mechanisms, so it makes sense for homes with bedrooms or living spaces near the garage. 

The Hörmann SilentDrive® garage door opener has the latest in German engineering and manufacturing excellence. All SilentDrive® openers are built with a DC motor and a composite Aramid Fiber reinforced belt drive system for an ultra-quiet operation. The Aramid Fiber reinforced belt has the strength of chain operation and it’s extremely long-lasting; nearly indestructible. In addition, an adjustable "soft" start and "soft" stop feature allows minimum wear on the door and opener, ensuring a quiet-running door at every stage of opening and closing. SilentDrive^® openers offer additional benefits like safety features compliant with UL 325 requirements as well as the unique Hörmann Beltension Guard™ and the EngageLock™. 

Regarding noise levels, chain drive is the loudest, while jackshaft and belt drive are the quietest.

Chain Drive: Noise Level: Loud

If noise doesn’t matter, a chain drive opener is usually the most affordable option, but they do tend to be noisy. Although it’s durable, it’s also the loudest of the three openers, therefore it’s the least desirable choice if the garage is attached to the home.Because the chain is made of metal, it creates more noise as it moves along the rail. The metal-on-metal contact between the chain, gears, and sprockets causes vibrations and noise.

Jackshaft: Noise Level: Quiet

Because there are few moving parts and the opening mechanism is installed above the door opening rather than on the garage ceiling, the result is a smooth, quiet operation so it’s a good choice for garages attached to living spaces.

Belt Drive: Noise Level: Quiet

Belt drive openers are extremely quiet and smooth. The rubber or reinforced belt absorbs much of the noise from the motor and movement, so it’s ideal for garages attached to living spaces or bedrooms. 

Regarding maintenance, chain drive openers require a high level of maintenance, while jackshaft and belt drive openers require a low amount maintenance.

Chain Drive: Maintenance Needs: Higher

Since chain drive systems use a metal chain, the chain and other parts such as the sprockets, may require regular lubrication to reduce friction and prevent wear. Over time, the chain can stretch or loosen and may need to be tightened or replaced. The higher maintenance requirement of a chain drive is offset by its durability.

Jackshaft: Maintenance Needs: Low

A Jackshaft opener requires next to no maintenance because it doesn’t have a lot of individual parts that require regular attention.

Belt Drive: Maintenance Needs: Low

Belt drive systems require minimal upkeep. The belt doesn’t require lubrication, and there are fewer moving parts as compared to chain openers, which reduces the chance of wear that would result in the need for maintenance. Eventually, conventional belt drive openers may wear out and need to be replaced, but generally, belt drive openers are low maintenance.

The opener must have the appropriate amount of horsepower (HP) based on the size / dimensions and type of garage door. For single doors that are either uninsulated or insulated, a 1/2 HP opener is typically sufficient, while wider / taller doors or those constructed of wood may require 3/4 HP or even 1 HP.

Most modern garage door openers come with Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows you to control your door remotely via an app. Some applications have the capability to integrate the opener with other smart home devices (like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant). Other available options may include:

• Video keypad, which provides benefits like a clear view of the driveway / surrounding area as well as a dedicated call button to initiate communication with the homeowner.
• Smart Control Panel, which is an intuitive menu-driven panel that allows for ease of programming remote controls, settings adjustment as well as system diagnostics.
• Remote LED Light, which allows for remotely turning lights on and off through an app.
• Automatic Garage Door Lock, which works automatically with the opener. A deadbolt lock reinforces the garage door automatically when the garage door is closed.

When comparing prices among the three garage door openers, although they overlap in price range, overall chain drive openers are the most basic and therefore typically the most affordable option, followed by belt drive, and then jackshaft openers. If your door is larger and heavier and / or you’re looking for durability and don’t mind a bit of noise or extra upkeep, the chain drive might meet your needs. If your priority is space savings and cost isn’t a factor, the jackshaft opener is good choice. For quiet operation and low maintenance, either the jackshaft or the belt drive will fit the bill.

Get more information about Hörmann’s garage door opener choices that include LiftMaster® and the SilentDrive® only from Hörmann.