The Novoferm guide

Tips & tricks for garage doors

Garage door openers

WHAT YOU SHOULD BEAR IN MIND

Garage door openers are much more than just motors for opening and closing your garage. They make your life easier and also make your covered parking space safer! Of course, a garage door with an operator first and foremost provides you with greatly increased convenience. You can open your garage remotely from a distance and don't have to get out in a heavy downpour, for example.

Another prime example of the convenience of a garage door opener is the following: You have both hands full in the truest sense of the word. When carrying a large object into your garage, you are unable to open the door manually. However, operating the remote control for the garage door motor is always a much smaller barrier. What many people don't consider when looking into a garage door with an operator is the increased security that such motors offer. In fact, electric garage door openers are a significant additional barrier to burglars. In addition, many motors offer an auto-stop function to prevent personal injury and, last but not least, protect your garage from mould thanks to automatic ventilation.

As you can see, garage door openers can offer a wide range of benefits. Find out what else you need to know here!

ELECTRIC GARAGE DOORS VS. MANUAL GARAGE DOORS

THE DIFFERENCES

The main difference between an electric and a manual garage door lies in the way it is opened. Manual doors are often opened using a rotary handle, which moves the door upwards once it has been operated and unlocked. In the electric version, the work is performed by a corresponding motor, which is usually mounted on the ceiling of the garage. The garage door is raised via a belt drive or chain.

This type of door offers numerous advantages (already mentioned above). Otherwise, however, there are no special door types for electric or manual operation. Practically all available variants can be used, both with and without a motor: from up-and-over doors to sectional doors and swing doors. Roller doors are relatively often electric garage doors. Electric drives are somewhat more complicated to realise for swing doors. More space is required for the door leaves - and the same applies to the drive mechanism.

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT ONE

There are many things to consider when buying a garage door opener. You will only really enjoy your garage door opener if the motor and everything around it meets your individual requirements exactly. Pay particular attention to the following factors.

 

Accuracy of fit to the door: You should of course choose your operator depending on the garage door in question. The most common types of garage doors are up-and-over and sectional doors. The up-and-over door is a continuous door leaf that swings upwards or downwards in a fixed frame to open or close. The sectional door also has a fixed frame. Rectangular individual elements, which are connected to each other via a hinge mechanism, run in a track in this frame. When opened, the elements are deflected under the garage ceiling. Accordingly, there are special garage door openers for up-and-over doors and those for sectional doors. Operators for swing doors are also possible.

OPERATOR FOR YOUR GARAGE DOOR!

Traction force: The selection criterion of the traction force is also extremely important. In any case, you should choose one that is sufficient for the size or weight of your garage door. As a guideline, you can assume that a door of ten square metres normally requires an operator with a tractive force of at least 700 N. The operator technology is also relevant here. Some door operators use a relatively noisy drive chain that requires regular lubrication. More modern models run with maintenance-free toothed belt technology.

Equipment: A garage door motor can have a variety of equipment features. For example, there are motors without a plug or with a battery or solar power supply. Smarthome functions for control via smartphone are also possible. In addition, light barriers and other sensors can provide increased security. The brightness of the often integrated light source and the speed of opening and closing should also be taken into account.

WHICH GARAGE DOOR OPENER IS RIGHT FOR MY GARAGE?

So much at this point: There is a suitable operator for almost every garage door. But not every operator type is suitable for every door type!

The following variants are available:

  • For up-and-over and sectional doors: The garage door leaf or the sections are usually moved via a carriage and one or more guide rails - towards the ceiling of the garage.
  • For swing doors. Hinged or swing doors are usually operated via a linear drive. These are motors that are often attached to the lower sides of the leaves. They use a linkage or hydraulic cylinder to push the door open or close it.
  • For sliding gates: Sliding gates are often pushed horizontally outwards or inwards using racks and gear wheels.
  • For roller shutters: Roller shutters usually have an integrated roller drive. An electric motor is used to set a shaft in motion, which practically winds up the door slats.

SAFETY FOR GARAGE DOOR OPENERS

As already mentioned, electric garage door motors can provide increased safety. This is particularly evident in the following circumstances.

Burglary protection: Drives for garage doors provide additional locking. They can also be equipped or combined with smart home functions, which also offer additional burglary protection.
Personal protection: Modern electric garage door openers are often equipped with sensors or light barriers. These recognise people and objects in the door's operating area. This means that an automatic stop is triggered if something is in the way.
Moisture protection: A garage door with operator naturally keeps moisture out of the garage. However, it can also open a little automatically or via (smart home) automation to ensure good ventilation.

RETROFITTING GARAGE DOOR OPENERS? THIS IS HOW IT WORKS!

Would you like to retrofit a garage door opener? No problem - today there are many models that can be connected relatively flexibly to an existing door. Retrofitting usually involves the following steps.

  1. The first step is to clarify the requirements according to the factors listed above - "accuracy of fit", "tractive force" and "equipment".
  2. Then you need to select the right operator variant for your door.
  3. Finally, the installation can take place - preferably by a professional, as function, safety and sustainability cannot be guaranteed otherwise.

THE BEST GARAGE DOOR OPENERS FROM NOVOFERM

Regardless of whether you want to retrofit a garage door operator or need a complete door with operator - Novoferm offers you the perfect solution! As one of the largest European system providers of door and gate solutions as well as loading systems in the private, commercial and industrial sectors, we fulfil the highest demands. Our company has stood for quality and reliability in products and service since 1955. We continue this tradition in our range of garage door openers.

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