June 30, 2017

What exactly is a wall-mounted door opener and is it really practical / a good idea?

Liftmaster door opener

You are building a new garage, and based on your plans, there is a lot of space over the garage door. Are you wondering if there exists another type of door opener besides one with a trolley installed over the center of the door?

The answer is Yes! Here is a blog explaining what the other option is, when to use it, and how much space is needed to install one.

What does a door opener installed beside the door mean?

It is an opener designed to be used in some residential applications such as cathedral ceilings. Increasingly, homes are being built with garage ceiling heights of over 10 ft. (3 m), often for townhouses, but also because homeowners want more storage space in their garages. Most garage doors are 7 ft. high (2.1 m), or for SUV-type vehicle, the height is 8 ft. (2.4 m).

The majority of door openers sold today are centrally mounted, also called “trolley” type. Often overlooked is an alternate type installed next to the door, also called a “Jackshaft” opener, and is 16 ¼” high by 6″ wide by 6 ¾” deep (41 cm X 15 cm X 17 cm).

It is just as safe as a trolley door opener and comes equipped with a photoelectric reversal system as well. It operates with a remote control just like its cousin with a trolley. In terms of remotes, this door opener uses the Security+ 2.0 system that ensures no one can pick up the signal emitted by your remote because the code changes each time you use it. It also comes with a 3-button wall control panel. Plus, it can be equipped with a backup battery – very handy in case of extended power outages.  Lastly, it can use MyQ technology, allowing you to open and close your door from your smartphone, tablet or laptop.

When is it recommended?

If the floor-to-ceiling distance in your garage is over 10 ft. (3 m) and your garage door is 7 ft. high (2.1 m), this is the right time to use it. On the other hand, if you opt for a trolley-type opener, there are drawbacks. You will have to hang the motor unit at least 2 ft. (61 cm) from the ceiling, and the L-shaped brackets that hold the door opener will be very long.  In order for all of this to be securely installed, you’ll need to use slotted steel angles in the form of a triangle, which again will be very long. Over time, vibrations from the door opener will loosen these supports, making them less safe.

Another appropriate application is for a sloped or cathedral ceiling. Again, you can use the option of a trolley-type opener installed on tracks following the slope of the ceiling; however, a wall-mounted opener would be so much more practical.

What are the physical constraints?

There are two:

  • First you need to have enough space, at least 8 inches (20 cm), on one side of the door.
  • Second, if you have torsion hardware (springs installed over the door header), you must use a solid shaft to hold the springs instead of a hollow tube. The solid shaft is inserted in the housing of the door opener and is what the opener uses to raise and lower the door.

 

Remember that whichever type of door opener you choose, it is of utmost importance that the door is properly balanced. A well-balanced door means you are able to lift it with only one hand and its perceived weight is between 8 and 10 lb (3.5 and 4.5 kg).

And is it more expensive?

Yes, a little more, but the advantages it provides outweigh the difference in price. To give you an idea of what you can pay, a professional series trolley-type opener, model 8355 (½ HP, belt drive) goes for around $375 to $400, while the 8500 wall-mounted opener, will cost $150 to $175 more.

And if I’d like to learn more…?

Feel free to contact us anytime at 705-254-6009. We know garage doors better than anyone in the construction industry. If you’d like, we can send you an online quotation.

We encourage you come and visit our showroom. It will be our pleasure to explain our whole range of doors and openers we carry and guide you in the best choice to make. You can also use our design center or take a look at our image gallery.

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