What Size Garage Door Opener Do I Need?

A garage door opener is one of those household gadgets that homeowners install and then forget about. But like any mechanical device, an opener can malfunction or wear out. If you notice signs like excessive noise during operation, intermittent or random functioning or a garage door that gets stuck during opening or closing, it could mean it’s time for an opener replacement. 

If you’re in the market for a new garage door opener, you might be surprised at how many options are available today. You’ll need to evaluate several factors during the buying process, including the best device size for your needs. 

How to Determine the Ideal Garage Door Opener Size

Regarding garage door openers, the appropriate size refers to the amount of horsepower the unit’s motor must generate to operate your door efficiently and safely. If you select a model that provides insufficient horsepower, it could burn out the motor and significantly reduce its life expectancy. On the other hand, an opener that delivers more power than you need wastes energy — and money. 

Before you purchase an opener, you’ll need to evaluate your garage door based on these factors:

• Door opening size: Most garage doors fall into the single- or two-car size category, although larger versions for recreational vehicles are also available. If you don’t know which door type you have, use a tape measure to find out. A single-car garage is typically 9 feet wide by 7 feet high, and a two-car garage is usually 16 feet wide by 7 feet high. 
• Door material: Garage doors come in several materials that impact the product’s weight. Wood doors are the heaviest, while steel and fiberglass models tend to be lighter. Adding insulation will also make a garage door heavier.

As you might expect, a two-car insulated wood garage door will require an opener with more horsepower than a non-insulated fiberglass product.

How Much Horsepower Do You Need?

To get an idea of how much horsepower your garage door opener needs to deliver, determine whether you have a one- or two-car garage, and identify your door’s material type. If you have a door for a one-car garage made of steel or fiberglass, choose an opener with a ½ horsepower capacity. For a two-car garage door constructed from these materials, select a ¾ horsepower model. 

What if you have an insulated fiberglass or steel door? A one-car garage version would require an opener with ¾ horsepower, and a two-car door will need 1 horsepower. If you have a one-car wood garage door, choose a 1-horsepower opener. A two-car wood door should have an opener ranging from 1-1 ¼ horsepower, depending on the weight. 

Drake Reed Door Co. Has the Right Opener for Your Garage

Central Pennsylvania residents can turn to Drake Reed Door Co. for high-quality garage door openers from LiftMaster® that offer industry-best features, performance and durability. We also have the expertise to choose the appropriate door opener size for your needs. Contact us today for more information or call us at 717-366-7091!