The Novoferm guide
Tips and tricks for garage doors
Garage door openers
WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND
Garage door openers are more than just motors to open and close your garage. They make your life easier and make your carport safer! Of course, a garage door equipped with an automatic offers you greater convenience first and foremost. For example, you can open your garage remotely, without having to go outside during a heavy downpour.
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 transporting a large object in the garage, you cannot open the door manually. However, operating the garage door motor remote control is always a much smaller hurdle. What many people do not consider when looking for an operator-operated garage door is the increased safety that these motors offer. In fact, electric garage door openers provide an additional barrier to burglars. In addition, many motors offer an automatic stop function to prevent personal injury, and last but not least, they protect the 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 there is to know here!
ELECTRIC GARAGE DOORS VS. MANUAL GARAGE DOORS MANUAL GARAGE DOORS
DIFFERENCES
The main difference between an electric and a manual garage door lies in the way it is opened. Manual doors are often opened with a rotary handle that, when operated and unlocked, moves the door upwards. In the electric version, the job is done by a corresponding motor, usually mounted on the garage ceiling. The garage door is raised via a belt or chain drive.
This type of door offers numerous advantages (already mentioned above). Otherwise, however, there are no special door types for electric or manual operation. Virtually all available variants can be used, both with and without a motor: from overhead doors to sectional and swing doors. Roller doors are relatively often electric garage doors. Electric drives are a little more complicated to implement for swing doors. More space is needed for the door leaves, and the same applies to the drive mechanism.
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT ONE
There are many aspects to consider when purchasing a garage door opener. You will only truly appreciate your garage door opener if the motor and everything around it exactly meets your individual requirements. Pay particular attention to the following factors.
Accuracy of fit to the door: Naturally, you will have to choose the opener according to the garage door in question. The most common types of garage doors are overhead and sectional doors. The overhead door is a continuous leaf that swings up or down in a fixed frame to open or close. The sectional door also has a fixed frame. The individual rectangular elements, connected by a hinge mechanism, slide in a track within this frame. When opened, the elements are deflected under the garage ceiling. There are therefore special garage door openers for overhead and sectional doors. Operators for swing doors are also possible.
OPERATOR FOR YOUR GARAGE DOOR!
Pull force: The selection criterion for the pull 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 guide, a ten-square-metre door would normally require an operator with a pulling force of at least 700 N. The technology of the operator is also important here. Some operators use a relatively noisy drive chain that requires regular lubrication. More modern models use a toothed belt technology that requires no maintenance.
Equipment: The motor of a garage door can have different equipment features. For example, there are motors without a plug or with battery or solar power. Smarthome functions for control via a smartphone are also possible. In addition, light barriers and other sensors can provide additional security. The brightness of the often integrated light source and the speed of opening and closing must also be taken into account.
WHICH GARAGE DOOR OPENER IS SUITABLE FOR MY GARAGE?
At this point, a lot: There is an operator suitable for almost all garage doors. But not every type of operator is suitable for every type of door!
The following variants are available:
- For overhead and sectional doors: The garage door leaf or sections are usually moved by means of a carriage and one or more guides - towards the garage ceiling.
- For swing doors. Hinged or swing doors are usually operated by means of a linear motor. These motors are often attached to the lower sides of the doors. They use a linkage or hydraulic cylinder to push the door open or close.
- For sliding gates: Sliding gates are often pushed horizontally outwards or inwards by means of racks and toothed wheels.
- For roller shutters: Roller shutters are usually equipped with an integrated roller drive. An electric motor is used to set a shaft in motion, which in practice winds the slats of the door.
SAFETY FOR GARAGE DOOR OPENERS
As already mentioned, electric garage door motors can provide increased safety. This is particularly evident in the following circumstances.
Burglaryprotection: garage door drives provide an additional lock. They can also be equipped or combined with smart home functions, which provide 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 area of operation. This means that, in the event of obstruction, an automatic stop is triggered.
Moisture protection: An operator-operated garage door naturally keeps moisture out of the garage. However, it can also open a little automatically or via automation (smart home) to ensure good ventilation.
ADAPTING GARAGE DOOR OPENERS? HERE'S 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.
- The first step is to clarify the requirements based on the factors listed above: 'fitting accuracy', 'pull force' and 'equipment'.
- Then the most suitable operator variant for the door must be selected.
- Finally, installation can be carried out, preferably by a professional, as otherwise functionality, safety and sustainability cannot be guaranteed.
THE BEST GARAGE DOOR OPENERS FROM NOVOFERM
Whether you want to retrofit a garage door operator or require a complete door operator, Novoferm offers you the perfect solution! As one of Europe's largest suppliers of door and gate solutions and loading systems in the private, commercial and industrial sectors, we meet the highest demands. Since 1955, our company has stood for quality and reliability in products and service. We continue this tradition also in our range of garage door openers.
