You can compare a garage door opener to a car’s engine; the opener controls the movement of the garage door. For a good-functioning and reliable garage door, you need to install an equally reliable and good-functioning opener. Choosing a reliable opener brand and correct garage door opener installation will ensure your garage door functions properly.

Garage door opener installation has become relatively easier over the years, with almost every brand coming with a well-detailed step-by-step guide on how to install a garage door opener. You can now get your garage door installed yourself to save cost.

In this article, we will discuss in-depth, giving you a step-by-step guide to help you install your garage door opener yourself.

Garage Door Opener Installation: Step By Step Guide

To install your garage door opener, you will need the following tools

• Measuring tape
• Cordless power drill
• Set of screwdrivers
• Open-end wrenches
• Clamps

Step 1

Lay out the door opener. Ensure that the parts are seen in the package tally with the list on the guide.

Step 2

Assemble all the parts. The opener would come with a set of instructions for assembling. Follow them.

• The rail should come in several pieces that fit together. Follow the installation guide to put them together.
• Next, slide the carriage or trolley over the rail. The carriage is the part of the opener that would move along the rail to pull the door open.
• Attach the motor to one end of the rail that would be placed furthest away from the garage door.
• Install the pulley at the other end of the rail opposite the motor.
• Feed the belt or chain through one end of the rail, around the pulley, then around the other end(having the motor)
• Finally, attach the end of the belt or chain to the carriage using a screw that can be adjusted to reduce the tension of the belt or chain.

Step 3

Install the blocking to the ceiling, ensuring that no matter how long the blocking is, it is attached to a solid wood on the ceiling.

Step 4

Attach the bracket to the point of connection on the garage door. If the garage door opener did not come with a bracket, ask a professional for the right bracket to use.

Step 5

Lean the part of the assembly(the part opposite the motor end) up above the top of the garage door. Mount the bracket on the wall at the top of the door and connect this part to the bracket as instructed in the installation guide.

Step 6

Lift the other end of the assembly having the motor(power unit), and install the power unit so high, at least seven feet up, so it does not get in the way of tall people. Ensure all components of the power unit are properly insulated to avoid electrocution. 

Step 7

Ensure that the garage door opener is high above the ground, then attach the opener to the door by attaching it to the bracket on the door.

Step 8: Installing Additional Features

• Attach the safety rope to the emergency release on the carriage. Garage door openers come with a manually operated disconnect cord. It should be connected 6 feet above the ground, so adults can easily reach for it.

• Install a light bulb into the socket of the garage door opener. The manual usually specifies the right bulb to use but if it does, use a bulb with excellent resistance.

• Install the electric eye safety system that came with the garage door. Follow the instruction and wiring diagram in the guide that came with the opener.

• Install the push button control about 5 feet from the ground, so little children cannot reach for it. Ensure that it is installed at a location where the person operating it can see the garage door.

After the whole installation, test the garage door opener to ensure it works properly. 

Garage Door Opener Replacement

The lifespan of an average garage door opener is between 10-15 years. The life span of your garage door opener depends on how you take care of it. Scheduling professional maintenance once or twice a year would help your opener last long. 

Invite a technician to inspect the individual parts of the opener. They may suggest a replacement spring, roller, or cable if any part appears worn out. Ensure that they clean out the track and lubricate all of the moving parts so that your door can open and close with ease.

If you have an old garage door opener that still functions fine, you can still opt for a replacement with a modern opener for added safety and convenience. 

To avoid inconveniences like your car getting trapped because the garage door would not open, you should not wait for your garage door to completely get spoilt before you get a replacement. Once it begins to show the following signs of malfunction, opt for immediate replacement:

• Loud, grinding, screeching, or rattling noise noises are a sign that there is a problem with your garage door opener. Once you hear these sounds, get the opener adequately oiled. If the sound continues, you need to replace your garage door opener. 

• If your garage door has difficulty opening, it gets stuck up, down, or in-between. Sometimes opens halfway and reverses, or it moves very slowly and shakes while opening. You need to invite a professional to take a look at it.

• If you notice your garage doors function unreliably; sometimes, it works, other times, it doesn’t, then you should consider getting a replacement.

How Do I know What Garage Door Opener To Buy?

You should get your garage door opener bearing in mind the size and weight of your garage door, and the amount of horsepower you need depends on how heavy and large your garage door is. 

Also, remember that the speed at which your garage door will open and close depends on the horsepower of your opener. It is best to go for a garage door opener that is slightly overpowered for your door. Ask a professional to guide you to make the right choice. 

The three available door openers based on horsepower are: 

• 1/2 Horsepower: it is the most popular power rating for garage door openers and can lift the majority of garage doors.

• 3/4 Horsepower: it is perfect for opening weighty garage doors with insulation. Its motor lasts longer than 1/2 horsepower motors.

• 1 Horsepower: this is perfect for solid wood doors or weighty garage doors that ¾ horsepower is under-powered. It has the best power, efficiency, and speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much does it cost To Install A Garage Door Opener?

If you have a professional install a garage door opener, the installation usually costs between $220 and $530. On average, homeowners pay $375, but installation costs as much as $830 and above for a commercial garage door opener. The opener will typically run between $150 and $500, with another $65 to $85 an hour for labor, which can run between two to six hours.

Can I Install a Garage Door Opener Myself?

Yes, you can install a garage door opener by yourself. Almost all garage door opener brands come with detailed, step-by-step instructions for mounting the opener motor, the drive system components, and the controls and for making the electrical connections. Installing a new double garage door opener yourself will save you some money. If you are quite the handyman, it will take you 2 to 4 hours to install your garage door opener.

What Do I Need To Install A Garage Door Opener?

Installing your garage door opener is not a big deal, as almost every brand has a step-by-step instruction guide to help you install your door opener. However, to install your garage door opener successfully, you need to get the following tools: hacksaw, measuring tape, cordless power drill, set of screwdrivers, open-end wrenches, clamps.

Reliable Garage Door Opener?

Presently, there are several good and reliable brands of garage door openers to pick from, but we recommend LiftMaster 8500W. Although costly, it is the best garage door opener on the market. Genie Stealth 500 Essentials is affordable, and it is a quiet opener. Skylink ATR-1611C is the cheapest and an excellent brand to pick. The Chamberlain B4545T is the best opener with an integrated camera.

How Much Is A Liftmaster Garage Door Opener?

Liftmaster makes a wide variety of garage door openers. The prices vary depending on the type and specs. Still, you can expect to pay between $300 and $525 for an automatic Liftmaster garage door opener, depending on the model and included features. The classic belt or chain drive openers are more affordable than the new wall-mounted versions.