While belt garage doors offer durability and strength, there are limitations to their abilities. Belt openers aren't really recommended for heavy doors, or two-door garages. They're also temperamental when it comes to the extreme weather, so excessive heat or cold can greatly affect the function of the opener.
The chains used on residential garage door openers typically have higher tensile strength and greater lifting capacity than belts. They also may last longer in certain applications.
Temperature sensitivity – Extreme temperatures can cause problems with belt-driven garage door openers. Rubber belts can stretch in the heat and shrink in the cold, leading to tension issues. If you don't have a climate-controlled garage, you may be better off with a different type of drive system.
For example, belt-driven operators can last as long as 15-20 years compared to the average 10-15 years for a chain-drive operator model. By performing the right kind of maintenance for your garage door opener, you can prolong its life expectancy.
The most common failure mode of belts is a broken belt caused by improper tensioning. There is a tension at which the belt experiences optimum service life. Above this tension belt fatigue translates into a decrease in belt life; below this tension belt slip results in reduced belt life.
Diligent Monticello drivers are smart to ask themselves, “How long does a serpentine belt last?” Serpentine belts, also called drive belts or accessory drive belts, are constructed of tough rubber, but that doesn't mean they're invincible. Typically, serpentine belts last anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
A chain drive garage door opener uses a chain to move the door open and closed. It's suitable for most garage doors. Chain drive has been around for many years and will last a long time with routine maintenance.
Garage door belt replacement costs $240 on average but ranges between $150 and $440, depending on the cost of labor and materials. Garage door belt replacement costs $240, with prices commonly ranging from $150 to $440.
Q:If I have an existing chain drive opener can it be replaced with the belt drive one? A: Yes you can. Belts are quieter, last longer and are stronger than the chains.
Evaluate your garage door size and how often you use it. 1/2 horsepower garage door openers work well with standard aluminum doors in a residential garage. If the garage is the main entrance to your home, have a one-piece or oversized door, choose an opener with the lifting power of a 3/4- to 1 1/4-horsepower.
Chamberlain is popular for its easy installation process. So, Chamberlain door openers can be a good choice if you are a DIY enthusiast. Genie's models may require more tools and expertise for installation, especially for belt drive systems.
If you're going to be moving a heavier garage door, chain drive garage door openers are the better choice. Advantages: Belt drive garage door openers are by far the quietest openers out of chain drive and screw drive openers.
LiftMaster: LiftMaster is a well-established brand known for its reliability and advanced technology. Manufactured by Chamberlain Group, LiftMaster openers are favored by homeowners and professionals for their endurance and performance.
Chain/Belt Drive: Garage door openers with chain or belt drives must be lubricated regularly. Otherwise, they can rust and malfunction.
Identify how many decibels your garage door opener should be capable of producing and the time in which it takes to open and close the door. A chain-drive system will emit noise levels between 60 to 80 decibels, while a belt-drive system isolates much of that sound with noise levels as low as 33 decibels.
Belt drive garage door openers: Belt drive garage door openers operate via a polyurethane, fiberglass or steel-reinforced rubber belt. They're incredibly durable and can last between 15 and 20 years.
While the opener itself can be anywhere from $200 to $900 or more, labor quickly catches up—two to six hours are often required at a rate between $60 and $80 per hour. Discover why replacing a garage door opener often isn't as simple as it seems.
In conclusion, both chain drive and belt drive garage door openers have their advantages and disadvantages. Chain drive openers are more durable and affordable, but they can be quite noisy. Belt drive openers are quieter but come at a higher price point.
While LiftMaster is your go-to for more demanding, heavy-duty applications, like industrial, commercial or for that super-sized garage door, Chamberlain is designed for homeowners.
If you have a door for a one-car garage made of steel or fiberglass, choose an opener with a ½ horsepower capacity. For a two-car garage door constructed from these materials, select a ¾ horsepower model.
Normal lifespan
Most garage doors openers have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, but this isn't a hard and fast rule. In fact, many factors can influence how long your opener will last. Among other things, the age and state of the other parts of the door will play a role.
Disadvantages of belt drive
- Belt drive is not suitable for small distances. - Loss of performance due to high degree of slip and creep. - A constant speed ratio cannot be achieved between the drive and the drive pulley. - It makes high noise.
Despite the long list of cons for a belt drive above, belt drives are a compelling alternative to chain-driven bikes, and are among the best bikes for commuting and city riding. The low maintenance, no grease design is ideal for a bike which you might want to ride in civilian clothing.