If you have already chosen the type and make of your garage door that suits your budget and lifestyle, then the next step is to choose a garage door opener. But what exactly should you be looking for? Aside from the obvious (dependability, cost, safety, and security), you also need to take into consideration a few other things.

If you are looking for a powerful opener, a garage door with at least 3/4 horsepower may be your best option. This garage door opener can lift the heaviest doors easily. Choose a model that uses heavy-duty, industrial-strength chains that guarantee years of dependable operation.

Almost all garage door openers make noises when you operate them, but there are some models specifically designed to be quiet. If your garage is under a bedroom or a study room, then you need garage door openers with very quiet belt openers. These models usually have flexible rubber belts that mute vibrations and eliminate the metal-to-metal contact of other chain- or screw-based models.

There are also other higher-end models that claim to be virtually maintenance-free. They usually have self-lubricating systems so that the chains always run smoothly and make as little noise as possible. There are also slightly more expensive models that