What You Should Know Before Choosing a Garage Door Opener
With so many garage door openers on the market, you may understandably be confused by the possibilities. One of the initial differences between the products is the power of the garage door motor. To determine the motor strength that is the best fit for your home and needs, you must take into account your door’s weight and dimensions. Keep in mind that the horsepower of the garage door motor can affect the opener’s functionality and lifespan.
Garage door openers are available with your choice of a chain system or a belt system. Chain systems are suitable for homes with a detached garage because they are louder. On the other hand, the quieter operation of a belt system makes it a preferred option for homes with an attached garage.
There are also variations in the features a garage door opener comes with. While all openers come with a garage door remote and a wall-mounted console for the interior of the garage, many now also have an exterior keypad for walk-up access. Some also have a smartphone app for accessibility from greater distances.
Other features include:
A security light
A manual release
A battery backup system
Rolling code operation for security
Programmable settings
Camera Systems
Motion Lights and more
If the garage door is greater than seven feet tall, an extension kit will be needed for the garage door opener installation.
While you also need to keep an eye on the garage door replacement cost, it is important to consider the benefits of professional garage door opener installation. The installation project can be daunting for an inexperienced homeowner to complete. It may be worthwhile to avoid the stress of a do-it-yourself installation project by hiring a reputable garage door company.
What to Know About Garage Door Opener Installations
Before you attempt to install your new garage door opener yourself, it is important to know what to expect. The reality is that installing your opener yourself can be a time-consuming, exhausting, and even dangerous project. In addition to potentially hurting yourself as you work on a ladder and install heavy equipment overhead, there is a chance that you may damage your home and your garage door in the process. This can lead to expensive and avoidable repairs. In addition, it can take an inexperienced homeowner several hours or longer to finally get the opener to work. Even after such effort, the opener may not work exactly as intended.
The garage door replacement cost should also be considered carefully. A quality garage door opener may provide you with up to 20 years of use, so it is worth investing in a quality opener that has the longevity you expect. Be aware that some advanced features may sound amazing, but these features may lead to more complex garage door opener installation efforts. They may also require greater maintenance efforts and the need to replace the opener sooner than you otherwise may need to. Your garage door technician can install your preferred opener correctly so that you enjoy maximum longevity from it.
Likewise, the cheapest garage door opener installation cost may not always be the best way to go. The unfortunate reality is that manufacturing processes for garage doors vary dramatically. Even systems that are installed perfectly may be prone to breaking, and this risk may increase if the opener is not installed properly. Proper installation promotes longer-lasting operation, better operation, and a better-looking unit in the garage.
The best installation company offers:
A labor warranty
Friendly, responsive customer service
Free up-front estimates
Be aware that garage door opener installation cost is not uniform from house to house. For example, beams in the garage may interfere with the desired placement of the opener. In some cases, the garage door may need to be modified in some way to accommodate the opener. Tall garage doors may require the installation of an extension kit. An experienced installation contractor may be able to pull some parts from your old opener if they are still in great condition.
Best Overall
Chamberlain - 4505T
Ultra-Quiet WI-FI Garage Door Opener
This ¾-horsepower opener is a great option for many homes because of its mid-level price combined with an array of premium features. Through the myQ app, you can control and monitor your garage door through your smartphone. This app is compatible with Amazon Key, which enables groceries and packages to be dropped off in the garage. It also comes with an ultra-quiet DC garage door motor with a soft start-stop function. Other exciting features include integrated Bluetooth tech, enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity, two garage door remote controllers, a wall control panel, safety sensors, and a wireless keypad.
Key Features
Steel Reinforced Belt Drive
Ultra Quiet DC Motor
2 Remotes and Outside Keypad Included
Soft Start / Stop (Gentle On Garage Door)
WiFi-Enabled Smartphone Control Built-In
2 Replaceable Light Bulb Slots (Max 100w each)
Best Budget
Chamberlain - D2101
Heavy Duty Chain Drive Garage Door Opener
If you are looking for the best value in an affordable garage door opener, the Chamberlain Heavy-Duty, Chain-Drive unit could be ideal for your home. It has a ½-horsepower garage door motor and durable steel construction for longevity. The unit is compatible with the myQ app for remote monitoring and control from any location via your smartphone. It also has 2.0-level security encryption that is available with 100 billion codes. This Chamberlain unit comes with safety sensors, a push-button wall unit, and a remote controller.
Key Features
Heavy Duty Chain
1 Remote
1 Replaceable Light Bulb Slots (Max 100w each)
Smartphone Control Capable (Add-On Required)
Low Cost
Best of the Best
LiftMaster - 87504-267
Secure View™ Ultra-Quiet Belt Drive Smart Opener with Camera, LED Corner to Corner Lighting™ and Battery Backup
This elite garage door opener from LiftMaster comes with all of the bells and whistles. It comes with a higher garage door replacement cost, but you may find that the features are worth the cost. Through the myQ app, you can enjoy remote control and monitoring as well as two-way audio communication and a built-in camera. It also has a unique lighting design with LED bulbs that cast light to every corner of the garage. It also comes with an ultra-quiet DC motor, a belt drive system, a battery backup feature, and secure Amazon Key deliveries.
Key Features
Steel Reinforced Belt Drive
Ultra Quiet DC Motor
2 Remotes and Outside Keypad Included (Limited Offer)
Soft Start / Stop (Gentle On Garage Door)
WiFi-Enabled Smartphone Control Built-In
Built-In Corner to Corner LED (2,000 lumens Very Bright)
Battery Backup (in case of a power outage)
LED Control Panel Display With Light On Motion Sensor
Built-in Camera/Video with 2-way audio
Best Wall-Mounted
LiftMaster -8500W
DC Battery Backup Wall Mount Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
If you prefer to free up overhead space in the garage with the installation of a wall-mounted unit, this LiftMaster garage door opener should be considered. It stands apart from others with ultra-quiet operation from a DC garage door motor. This motor features a backup battery for operation even when the power goes out. Its Wi-Fi connectivity gives you control to its operation as well as its 1,500 lumens LED light. For added security, the opener turns the garage door’s deadbolt lock after the door closes. Plus, this opener comes with secure accessibility through Amazon Key.
Key Features
Wall-Mounted
Ultra Quiet DC Motor
1 Remote
Soft Start / Stop (Gentle On Garage Door)
WiFi-Enabled Smartphone Control Built-In
myQ Remote LED Light (1,500 lumens)
Battery Backup (in case of a power outage)
LED Control Panel Display With Light On Motion Sensor
Automatic Garage Door Deadbolt Lock
Why Choose Garage Door Nova For Your Garage Door Opener Installation
Regardless of the garage door opener that you decide to install, you understandably want to ensure that it functions properly from day one. Our company, Garage Door Nova, is a locally-owned garage door opener repair and installation company. Our team of licensed, insured and bonded technicians are available to install your garage door opener properly and without delay.
What can you expect from Garage Door Nova?
While there are numerous garage door opener installation contractors that you could request assistance from, we are the company that consistently goes above and beyond to provide excellent service to all of our customers. Specifically, our experienced technicians always work efficiently so that our customers can enjoy the use of their new garage door opener as soon as possible. We even offer same-day installation in most cases. Our team also focuses on providing exceptional customer service from the first phone call until after the work is completed. Because of our focus on delivering a great customer experience, we have almost all five-star reviews from previous customers.
You may think that garage door opener installation costs would equate to a small fortune, but we always maintain fair and reasonable pricing. More than that, we provide free up-front estimates, and we always disclose all fees to our customers. While our rates for garage door opener installation are affordable, we stand behind the quality of our work with a 5-year labor warranty on garage door openers.
Many of our customers at Garage Door Nova have a growing concern about the environment. While they want or need a new garage door opener in their home, they are concerned about generating waste. After all, the old garage door opener and the packaging for the new garage door opener could wind up in a landfill. While this may be the case with some installation contractors, it is not the case at Garage Door Nova. Our technicians take a proactive approach to deal with waste. We always recycle steel and cardboard waste from the installation projects we work on.
Do you need special guidance on the selection of a new garage door opener that is ideal for your needs? Are you ready to schedule installation service for the garage door opener you have recently purchased? At Garage Door Nova, we are always happy to answer questions so that our customers can make a well-informed equipment selection. We are also available to deliver a free estimate for the cost of installation upon request. With same-day installation service available, now is the perfect time to contact our team at Garage Door Nova.
Robert reached out to us in need of an opener replacement quickly. With the holiday season approaching and guests coming into town, he wanted the installation done within a week. After reading our reviews online and comparing our work to other companies, Robert chose us because we were local, customer service oriented and knowledgeable. He also liked that we warranty our opener installations for 5 years.
Job Solution
We were able to get Robert scheduled for an appointment the same day he reached out. The technician that came out helped Robert select the best opener that suited his and his family’s needs. He ended up choosing a belt-driven opener that came with two remotes and an outside keypad.
The gentleman who installed our new garage opener was very knowledgeable and did the whole job in a little over an hour. I watched the whole time and was impressed by his speed and accuracy. I would definitely use this company again.
Opener Installation
Springfield, VA
December 14, 2021
Job Details
Harry reached out to us because his current openers were slowly giving out after about 20 years. He had done some research online about openers and was looking to get multiple quotes before making a final decision. Harry already had an idea of the type of opener he wanted, but he still wanted a full explanation of the best openers on the market so that he could make an informed decision
Job Solution
Our technician came out and explained the difference between chain and belt driven openers as well as the various different features between the many different models we carry and install. After learning about the Chamberlain B4505T, one of Chamberlain’s premium belt driven openers, Harry decided on that model. His bedroom is right above the garage, so this opener provided a quieter alternative to their current noisy chain driven opener. It was also a plus that the opener has MyQ which allows him to open and close his garage door directly from his phone and also receive alerts if the garage has been accidentally left opened.
We made arrangements for Garage Door Nova to provide us a cost estimate to replace two single garage door openers for our home. The technician from the company arrived on time and did a great job explaining the differences between our current garage door openers and the technology found in the new openers. The technician did such a good job describing the openers and the cost estimate was very reasonable that we elected to have Garage Door Nova install new openers without getting a second estimate. The installation was completed professionally and the technician did an excellent job helping us to program our cars and smart phone for the new system. Overall, the technician made this a very pleasant experience and we highly recommend Garage Door Nova for garage door services.
Opener Repair
Alexandria, VA
December 3, 2021
Job Details
Elizabeth reached out to us in need of an opener repair. She was afraid that due to the age of her opener, she might have to replace it because her new outside keypad wouldn’t sync. Financially, replacing her opener wasn’t in the budget, so she hoped that we could provide a repair.
Job Solution
After arriving on site and troubleshooting, one of our experienced technicians was able to pinpoint the issue that was preventing Elizabeth’s opener from connecting to her outside keypad. In less than 30 minutes, he was able to fix the problem, allowing Elizabeth to be able to conveniently access her garage from the outside when doing yard work and other activities.
Attacked the problem and did not relent until the problem was fixed. Two other garage door “expert technicians” threw in the towel. Garage Door Nova found the problem and fixed the garage door opener so that the remote keypad worked with my older garage door opener. I am pleased and so happy with the Garage Door Nova’s real expert’s work. I highly recommend Garage Door Nova for resolving garage door opener problems. Way to go Garage Door Nova. Thanks again.
Opener Installation
McLean, VA
November 11, 2021
Job Details
Mark reached out to us because one of his two openers no longer worked. He and his wife were tired of only being able to use one of their garage door openers so Mark reached out to us for a quote to replace the one that was no longer operating. Their home had chain driven openers and he was interested in the cost to replace both motors with belt driven openers if the price was reasonable.
Job Solution
Once the technician arrived, he confirmed that Mark’s opener didn’t work as a result of the motor dying. His second opener still worked but definitely was very noisy due to it being 15 years old and chain driven. The technician suggested that Mark get the Premium Series Belt Drive Chamberlain B4505T. This opener is a favorite amongst many of our customers due to its affordability and amazing features such as wifi capability. After reviewing the price and receiving a $50 discount on the second opener, Mark decided to replace both openers.
