Garage door openers are fairly simple mechanisms that tend to last a long time. The average lifespan is 10 to 15 years, but if you keep current on the maintenance of the rollers and springs, it's possible to get 20 years or more out of a good garage door opener.
Lifespan of a Garage Door Opener
It's crucial to know that the average life expectancy of a garage door opener may not be as long as your garage door. The average lifespan of a garage door opener is 10 to 15 years, and like your garage door, many factors contribute to its durability.
If you have a professional routinely inspect and service your garage door, chances are the mechanisms can last a long time. However, no matter how effectively you take care of a garage door opener, you will eventually need to replace it. The lifespan of most garage door openers is about 10 to 15 years.
One of the most obvious signs that your garage door opener needs to be replaced or repaired is if you press the button to open or close the door and it doesn't budge.
Garage Door Motor Replacement Costs
Below is the average cost by type: Chain-drive motor: $275 to $600. Belt-drive motor: $275 to $725. Screw-drive motor: $350 to $650.
Luckily, if your garage door motor fails you, there is a solution. Handy homeowners and DIYers can take matters into their own hands and replace the garage door motor.
Some of the problems with the opener may include the following: Burnt out motor. Since a lot of these machines require a motor to run, they can burn out over time. If the portal is used often and people are always coming and going and using the opener, it may burn out faster than if it's used every once in a while.
Regardless of any issues you're having with your garage door opener, you should replace it if it's at least a decade old.
The Lifespan of Garage Door Openers
We see LiftMasters last between 15 – 20 years. However, that's in excellent conditions. Anything less than excellent conditions can reduce the lifespan to 8 – 12 years. However, beyond just brand, you also have to consider which type of opener will give you the best life expectancy.
The Installation of Garage door opener on an average takes half a day or about 4-6 hours. If you are installing more than one garage door opener the second one may take you about half of the time than the first one.
Garage door opener installation isn't the most complex mechanical project, but there are times when it's best to hire a pro. For especially large, heavy-duty doors, or extremely tall models, it might be best to hire a company that can come in with the appropriate equipment and ample manpower to get the job done.
As a general rule, a garage door should be serviced once a year — or every two years if it is relatively new or experiences limited use. However, a longer interval could leave you vulnerable to serious mechanical problems that may occur without warning.
With these considerations, most doors will last 15 to 30 years. Garage door openers should reliably perform for 10 to 15 years. Another component that affects the longevity of a garage door is the torsion and extension springs — largely responsible for the smooth opening and closing of your garage door.
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.
I need a repair:
A common question we receive from homeowners is, “How long do garage door openers last?” Generally speaking, they remain operational for 10 to 15 years, which is contingent upon things like the regularity of maintenance and use.
The average lifespan is 10 to 15 years, but if you keep current on the maintenance of the rollers and springs, it's possible to get 20 years or more out of a good garage door opener. But even if yours is still working fine, there are good reasons to consider replacing it.
Plastic rollers, which are the most basic type. They usually last only a few years. Steel rollers with ball bearings. These last about 10 to 15 years, if well maintained.
If you use your garage door twice every day, you will get about 14 years of service. Using the door about four times a day will reduce the number by half and give you only seven years. If you usually use your garage door about six times a day, which is quite rare, it will serve you for only five years.
If your garage is in direct sunlight, consider keeping the door closed as much as possible. On the other hand, if it is in the shade – let the fresh air in and the heat out! If you are opening the garage door, make sure you are home and not leaving it unattended.
DIYers are open-minded and always up for a challenge! However, it's crucial to know which projects surpass your skills. In the end, the DIY enterprise isn't worth the risk when installing a garage door opener. Professionals possess the skills to install the essential components correctly.
Never warm-up or operate a vehicle in the garage or other enclosed area, even if the garage door is open. Do not start the vehicle until everyone is in the vehicle and vehicle doors closed. Open the garage door, start the vehicle, and immediately back the vehicle out of the garage.
Remember that there are components that could be harmful if thrown away in the regular trash (such as batteries), so consult your local recycling center for the best way to dispose of the opener so recyclable parts can be harvested.
Be gentle with the door, and it won't suffer structural damage that can impact its ability to function. Also, don't overuse your door. Various parts of a garage door (rollers, springs, etc.) have a certain number of cycles in them. The more you use your door, the faster you use up your expected cycles.