Having the ability to access your garage without leaving your vehicle can be incredibly convenient. Automatic garage door openers help make this type of access a reality for modern homeowners across the country.

While you might be positive that you want to install an automatic opener on your garage door, you may be uncertain as to the type of opener that will work best.

Garage door openers rely on one of four different mechanisms to raise and lower your door. Learn more about these mechanisms so that you can select the one that is right for your garage door.

1. Belt-Driven Mechanisms

If you are looking for a quiet garage door opener, then one with a belt-driven mechanism is a good option.

These openers utilize a belt that is attached on one end to your garage door and on the other end to a motor to lift and lower the door.

The motor pulls on the belt to raise the door when you push the corresponding button on your remote, and the motor slowly releases tension on the belt when you want the garage door lowered.

2. Chain-Driven Mechanisms

Chain-driven mechanisms are similar to belt-driven mechanisms. The major difference is that a chain is used to connect your garage door to the automatic opener's motor.

Some homeowners feel that this chain won't wear out as quickly as a belt. Both mechanisms can be reliable, but a chain-driven mechanism will produce more noise when your garage door is being raised and lowered.

3. Screw-Driven Mechanisms

A screw-driven mechanism is one of the simplest designs for garage door openers.

No belt or chain is required for a screw-driven opener. Instead, a specialized metal bar that is threaded on both ends is used to provide the power needed to raise and lower a garage door. The metal bar rotates in one direction to open the garage door and rotates in the other direction to close the door.

The threaded bars found in screw-driven openers are powered by a small motor.

4. Torsion Spring Mechanisms

Some garage door openers use a torsion spring mechanism. This mechanism relies on specialized springs that are mounted above the garage door opening.

When the door is lowered, the springs begin to store energy. Once the springs reach their full energy storage potential, they are considered to be wound.

The excess energy stored in the springs is released to help raise the garage door on command.

For more information, contact a garage door installation service in your area.