Look for horsepower hp ratings to compare the lifting power between garage door opener models.
How much hp for double garage door opener.
Garages with carriage doors should opt for 1 hp garage door openers or higher.
Before you purchase a new garage door opener consider these important factors.
How much horsepower does a garage door opener need.
If you have a wooden or insulated double car garage door up to 16 feet wide and 8 feet tall you may want to move up to a 3.
1 2 horsepower garage door openers work well with standard aluminum doors in a residential garage.
If you have a sectional double car garage door a 1 2 horsepower motor should be sufficient but a higher power model will operate with less effort and less.
Garage door size and frequency of use.
Average weight double doors and heavier single doors work well with 1 2 horsepower openers.
Two car garages or one car garages with insulated or wooden doors need at least a 3 4 horsepower garage door opener.
Doors between eight and 12 feet in width are no problem.
Personally i would steer away from 1 3 hp models unless you have a lightweight 1 car garage door.
For example if you would like to lift a double garage door one might suggest using a 1 2 horsepower because the door is heavier and larger.
One car garages with steel doors only need a 1 2 horsepower garage door opener.
A chain driven opener can cost 150 to 350 while a belt driven opener can cost 200 to 300.
Ratings ranging from 1 2 horsepower to 1 1 2 horsepower are typical for residential models.
They are also the most common and the most popular.
The most popular out of the three choices this opener works best with single and double garage doors that have an average weight such as a carriage style door.
The cost of a garage door opener will depend on the horsepower the brand and if you choose a professional to install it.
How much garage door opener horsepower is enough.
Modern high quality 1 2 hp models are suitable for most 1 and 2 car garage doors.