Chain Drive Garage Door Opener – A chain drive garage door opener is the most common and affordable type. This garage door opener type is usually the best choice if you’re looking for a simple system that gets the job done. It operates on a metal chain that connects the trolley and motor.
Belt Drive Garage Door Opener – A belt drive garage door opener has a similar mechanism to the chain drive garage door opener, but it operates on a rubber belt instead of a metal chain. This makes them a great smooth motion alternative if you’re looking for a quiet garage door opener.
Screw Drive Garage Door Opener – With a screw drive garage door opener, a trolley moves along a threaded steel rod while the motor rotates the rod, opening and closing the garage door. This garage door opener type tends to land as the midrange option between chain and belt drive openers for both quiet operation and longevity.
Jackshaft Garage Door Opener – A jackshaft garage door opener is also called a wall mount garage door opener or side mount garage door opener. A jackshaft garage door opener is your modern option for garage door opener upgrades. Instead of being installed on the ceiling like chain and belt drives, a jackshaft garage door opener is installed on the wall beside the garage door. It is a great option if you want high lift tracks or have a heavy garage door.
Direct Drive Garage Door Opener – A direct drive garage door opener is another modern option known for its quiet operation. It is built with a stationary chain inside a steel rail, meaning it has only one moving part located in the traveling motor carriage. This lack of moving parts makes a direct drive garage door opener a great option if you want a quiet garage door opener.