When sensors entered the market in the 1990s, it was considered a revolutionary advance in garage door security systems. Anything manufactured before the arrival of sensors presented a risk of injury.
Garage door openers have a long life and are fairly simple mechanisms. However, even if you believe yours still works fine, there are good reasons to consider updating it. Newer models provide you enhanced security, safety, and convenience.
Safety is a primary reason, but not the only one. Here are some major reasons why you need to repair or install a new garage door opener.
1. Mechanism - Safety Reversal
Garage or carport door openers are now required to be equipped with a safety reversing mechanism. This feature or mechanism uses two sensors, placed about 6” (six inches) above floor level on both sides of the door. Whenever something or someone, for example a pet or a kid, crosses a light beam produced by these sensors while the door is closing, the latter stops in its tracks and reverses.
If your garage door opener does not have a safety reversing feature, or if the one it does have no longer works properly, it is recommended to replace it as soon as possible.
2. Quality - Noise Control
Does your garage door opener disrupt the household or wake your neighbors up because it makes so much noise? If so, you need a new opener, which will certainly be quieter. The original mechanism used for
garage door openers was chain driven. If you find something that looks like a bicycle chain near the motor unit of your opener, check if it is working smoothly and check if it is greased properly. In case you find the chain rusting or find any other fault, consider replacing it with a belt or a screw-drive
garage door opener. Kingston garage doors have newer chain-driven models that are quieter than an older model.
3. Security - Changeable Codes
Thanks to a rolling code feature in newer models, recent door openers are less vulnerable to thieves than older models. Older openers were equipped with remotes programmed with a fixed code, which could be easily traced with a special device. The more recent rolling code feature changes the code every time the unit is used.
4. Keyless Options
New door opener ranges come with keypads that be affixed outside the garage. This advanced feature allows you to open your garage door by entering a code into the keypad. Some systems offer touch or fingerprint recognition. These
garage door opener systems can be paired with a keypad; ask a specialist. And if it is not possible, this might be a good reason to upgrade.
If you are fed up with the complications of operating a garage door opener during power outages, good news for you. New garage door openers are now available with battery backup, so now is time to upgrade. With a new garage door opener, the battery or UPS will kick in automatically when you lose power.
