Has the time come to get a new garage door opener? You might want an option that can provide some more room in your garage. So, which option will be best for your needs?
Today, you will find a host of models of garage door openers available. Naturally, this means it can be difficult to understand exactly which one you should choose. You have to think about things like your overall needs, the size of the garage door, the space available, and your budget, as they will all affect your choice.
Often, people default to getting trolley operators because it’s what they know. However, there are other options. The jackshaft garage door opener model could be a good choice. It was first implemented a decade or so ago. Other names for this include wall-mount and side-mount.
The Side-Mounted Garage Door Openers
Just as you would imagine from the name, the side or wall-mounted openers are placed along the side wall of the garage. Because of their position and design, they operate somewhat differently from traditional trolley garage door openers. The accessories are the same, though.
The garage door opener will connect to a torsion shaft that’s mounted above the door, where a torsion counterbalance system is located. When the door is activated, it will turn the shaft. This allows the door to open or close.
Here is the LiftMaster 8500W model, a jackshaft garage door opener option from LiftMaster.
There is a lot to like about these types of residential garage door openers. They are aesthetically appealing for starters. However, they have some other great benefits, too. Keep in mind that these are costlier than the trolley options, but they could still be a great choice given the benefits they offer.
Get More Space
If you’re like most of us, the garage seems to run out of space quickly. If you’re tired of having so much clutter clogging up your garage, you will find that choosing a jackshaft garage door opener could be just the thing you need.
However, You Should Start by Decluttering
Even though the jackshaft garage door operator may be able to offer more space, you should first clean out your garage to remove a lot of that clutter. It can be difficult to know what you should and shouldn’t hold onto, particularly if you are someone who likes to hold onto things in case you need them later. It’s a good idea to check out this blog first. It could make removing the things you don’t need easier. It discusses three important questions you should ask when you are weighing whether you should keep something or not.
- Could I find it if I needed it?
- What is the cost of getting a new one if I don’t need this one now?
- What are the actual chances of needing this item? Is it really a need, or are you just struggling with getting rid of things that don’t matter?
Decluttering might be hard, but it is beneficial for you in terms of more than just having more space. It can also be healthy. According to WebMD, it can provide some nice benefits.
When you have a cleaner environment, you won’t be distracted. This can help to improve your productivity because you will feel more focused. It’s also going to help with the way you feel about yourself. You will be more organized and will feel more competent and comfortable in your space. It could help to reduce the amount of stress you feel.
Having less clutter means you can use the space more effectively, and it could even help to strengthen your relationships. You don’t want anyone to see the mess in the garage, so you never let anyone inside of it. You’ll also find that it can help to reduce the number of conflicts regarding cleanliness you have with other people in the house.
Cleaning will help to reduce the amount of dust and other allergens in the garage. Decluttering and cleaning the garage will help to keep things safer and the air more breathable for those who have respiratory issues, such as asthma.
You will feel more organized and orderly, and this can help to give you some peace of mind you may not have known was missing.
This is a messy, dirty garage that’s not conducive to work or your health. Think of the space that could be saved by cleaning and organizing better. The image is from Unsplash.
To know what you have, you first need to clear everything out. You can do this one section at a time, or you could try to do it all at once. You should separate things into several piles—keep, donate, sell, recycle, throw out.
Once you have things out and off the floor, you can clean the garage floor and the shelves. It will also give you a better idea of how much space you have available, and how you can better organize the items you keep.
Keep the Items You Have Safe and Organized
Although you can store quite a bit in the garage, you don’t want to keep everything there. Check out this blog, which features a list of 15 things you shouldn’t store in your garage.
Generally, there are several categories of items you don’t want to store in your garage. They include:
- Hazardous materials and objects, such as propane tanks, gasoline, and oily rags.
- Attractants for rodents and insects, such as books, firewood, toys, bedding, and food for your pets.
- Items that could be damaged due to weather or accidents, such as photographs, important documents, clothes, canned food, wine, and electronics.
Get Your Garage in Shape
Having a wall-mounted garage door opener can add some extra overhead space to your garage, which could be used for storage. It can also make it easier for larger vehicles, such as those with roof racks, to get into and out of the garage.
You can find some fantastic and affordable storage items for your garage. Read this blog to learn about some fantastic ideas on how you can do more with your ceiling space. You could hang bikes, add shelves, and so much more.
Keep in mind that jackshaft garage door openers can work with all types of ceilings. They work best when you have a high ceiling since you won’t have to worry about having a trolley operator. Typically, you will only need to have about eight inches of space on one side of the garage door.
She could’ve had more space with a side-mount opener and without the shelves on the side. Consider maximizing your garage space.
Added Safety
You will find that the wall-mounted garage door openers are nice and safe. Like other openers, they feature a photoelectric reversal system. When the light beam between the units is broken, the door detects an object in the way and reverses direction. When you have a wall-mounted opener, the box covers the motor, which makes the system even safer. You never have to worry about chains or belts that could damage someone’s fingers.
These motors are concealed, and the units have a better look to them. They are also quiet when compared with trolley options. This means you won’t hear the garage door open and close throughout the house each time someone uses the door.
MyQ Security Camera
Although the wall-mount garage door openers don’t have a security camera, you can always buy and install one in your garage. One of the best options is the MyQ intelligent camera from LiftMaster.
This allows you to use and control the camera and even your door using a computer or your phone via the app. You will receive notifications when movement is detected, so you can have your eyes on the garage even when you aren’t home.
You can find out more about MyQ on LiftMaster’s website.
MyQ app from LiftMaster gives you more control in your garage no matter where you are.
Reduce Maintenance
Of course, one of the best reasons to choose these types of garage door openers is that they don’t need to have as much maintenance as trolley systems. There are fewer moving parts, which means less to check and lubricate. You won’t have to worry about adjusting belts and chains or cleaning as much as you do with trolley garage door openers. It’s also far easier to access the wall-mounted system than it is to get on a ladder and check the trolley mount.
When you have a jackshaft opener, it provides you with more peace of mind.
Here is another jackshaft-type garage door opener, the 8500 model from LiftMaster
Ready for a New Garage Door Opener?
Maybe you still want a trolley system, or maybe you want to have a side-mount garage door opener. Maybe you still need to have some assistance knowing the right residential models for your needs. We can help.
Set up an appointment with us. Call 781-826-2212!
The professionals at Mortland Door Systems can help you learn more about your options and find the solution that’s best for your garage. You can contact us anytime during our operating hours.
All clients and garages are different. We’ll help you find the solution that’s best for your needs and will answer all of your questions. You can also receive a free quotation for the garage door opener you are considering.
Maybe you also need to have a new garage door opener. We can help with that, as well. Check out the photo gallery to get inspired. It’s time to get your garage shipshape.
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