Choosing the right size garage door opener is crucial in ensuring that your garage door operates efficiently and safely. The size of your garage door opener depends on the size, weight, and type of machinery required to operate your garage door. In accordance with the two most common types of garage doors—two-car and three-car—here is the recommended size for a garage door opener.
Garage Door Openers for 2-Car Garage Doors
Two-car garage doors are the most common type found in residential properties. Chain drive, belt drive, or screw drive are the available types of garage door openers for two-car garage doors.
Standard Sizes
Here are some standard sizes for two-car garage doors:
12 x 7 feet
14 x 7 feet
16 x 7 feet
18 x 7 feet
The recommended horsepower for a two-car garage door opener ranges from 1/2 to 3/4 horsepower. A lower horsepower model may not be able to handle heavier doors or frequent use. However, if you have a lightweight aluminum or fiberglass door and don’t use it frequently, then a smaller motor may suffice.
Garage Door Openers for 3-Car Garage Doors
Although less frequent than two-car garages, three-car garages are nonetheless typical in many bigger homes. Due to the bigger size and weight of the three-car garage door, you should think about getting an opener with more horsepower.
Standard Sizes
Here are some standard sizes for three-car garage doors:
-16x8feet
-18x8feet
The recommended horsepower range for three-car garages is between one and one-and-a-half horsepower (HP). This range provides enough power to lift heavy wooden or insulated steel doors while also providing smooth operation.
Factors Affecting Garage Door Opener Size
Aside from the size of your garage door, other factors can affect what size of opener you need. For instance, if you reside in a location that has strong winds or heavy snowfall, you might need an automatic lock system that offers more security and stability during severe weather.
Also, you may want to think about obtaining a quieter-operating opener if you intend to use your garage as a workstation or storage space in order to avoid disturbing your work.
Choosing the right size of a garage door opener is essential in ensuring that your overhead door functions optimally while also being safe to operate. At Scales Garagedoor Installation and Repair, we specialize in helping homeowners select the right-sized openers based on their unique needs.
We offer various types of openers, such as belt drives which provide quiet operation; chain drives which are more robust; screw drives which require less maintenance; direct-drive models, which offer maximum power efficiency, among others. Our specialists will closely communicate with you to choose the type and model that best suits your needs and budget.
Contact us today if you need assistance selecting or installing a garage door opener!