Before going into detail about the differences between chain and belt-driven garage door openers, it’s important to understand the commonalities.
Both use a motor and an electrical circuit board to power a trolley which moves along a rail to open and close the garage door.
Both use the same security features, including rolling code technology which changes the access code after each use, preventing thieves from hacking your system.
Both are quiet, but belt drive systems are sold on their whisper-quiet operation. This can be especially useful if you have living space above or beside your garage.
In terms of safety and security, both chain and belt systems are equally good. But there are some advantages to consider when choosing one over the other.
One of the first decisions a homeowner must make when they buy their garage door opener is whether to use a chain or a belt to raise and lower the door. Some people argue that one is better than the other, but it all comes down to personal preference.
There are several good reasons to choose one over the other, and these are just a few:
A belt-drive opener is usually quieter than a chain drive. This isn’t always the case, but most of them are built with noise reduction in mind. A quiet garage door opener is key if your garage is attached to your home or if there’s a bedroom located above the garage.
A chain-drive opener will last longer than a belt-drive opener. The downside here is that it’s more prone to breaking down. Just like a car’s transmission, it needs to be properly maintained for years of trouble-free operation.
Chain drive openers require less maintenance than belt drive openers. If you don’t have time for maintenance, choose this type of unit over a belt drive type because it requires less attention.
A chain drive requires less upkeep than a belt drive opener. There may be some initial setup required on both types, but once they’re installed, there’s little extra work needed to keep them running.