If you’re a homeowner in the market for an automatic garage door opener, There is likely a question in your mind about which garage door opener will work best with heavy doors. You might have heard that some openers are better suited to opening heavy doors than others. Or you might know that some brands produce stronger openers than others.
To find the right garage door opener, it is important to look for one that will work with your specific needs. For example, if you have a very heavy door, you need to ensure that the opener can handle the weight of your door.
In this article, When choosing a garage door opener, consider the following factors and how to find the best options available. We will give you a full breakdown of everything you need to know about garage door openers including options for purchasing one and how to choose between them.
Summary
Do you need a garage door opener for heavy doors?
Definitely, you need a heavy-duty garage door opener because it is very essential to open or close the door for a vehicle easily, especially when you are going out of the house.
If you need to open a garage door that is too heavy to lift by hand, an opener is required. The average weight of most garage doors is close to 600 pounds.
This means you will need the strength of an engine or motorized device in order to open your garage door easily in which case this amazing gadget i.e., the garage door opener comes in handy.
There are many types of garage door openers available in the market which are very helpful to open and close your heavy garage doors. You can choose your favorite garage door opener for your garage door based on your needs from the list provided below.
Best Garage Door Openers for Heavy Doors: Reviews, Comparisons, and Top Picks
We have made a catalog of the top 6 garage door openers on the market today. Choosing the right heavy door opener for a garage can be tricky, so if you are seeking quality and reliability, then this is a list that you won’t want to get your eyes off.
This review is great for anyone who wants a garage door opener without breaking their bank account. We are going to provide you with the pros and cons of each, so you can make the best choice based on your needs and desires.
1. Genie StealthDrive Connect Model 7155-TK
Our Review:
The Genie StealthDrive Connect Model 7155-TKV Garage Door Opener is a great all-in-one opener that can help you open your garage door from your smartphone.
This door opener is compatible with Alexa and Google Home devices and can be controlled using the voice command feature.
It has a strong battery that will help you run for up to 5 hours even when the door is closed. It is also equipped with an ultra-quiet motor that will allow it to be controlled without any noise from the outside.
Nevertheless, if you don’t have a smartphone, then there is no need to worry as this door opener can also be controlled by pressing a button on the unit itself.
It comes with a 2.4GHz wireless radio that connects to your WiFi router. In addition to opening and closing the garage door, as well as arm and disarm the remote.
A garage door opener so cheap has never been seen before. This opener is great for those who are looking for an affordable option and are willing to sacrifice a few things such as the automatic mode.
It has a large LCD screen that you can use to check the status of your garage door. You can also access the settings to change the features.
It has a 2-year warranty and will last you for more than 5 years in most cases. The battery is also not the strongest on the market and will be able to open the door for long periods of time.
Overall, this is a great garage door opener that you should try if you’re looking for a reliable garage door opener.
The only drawback of this opener is that it does not have a wire. So make sure you have a power source for this opener or buy an extension cord separately.
2. Chamberlain Group Drive Garage Door Opener
Our Review:
The Chamberlain Group Drive Garage Door Opener delivers the best performance out there. It’s made with an ultra-quiet belt drive system that will lift your garage door easily and efficiently.
The best part we have noticed about this garage door opener is that it can also be controlled by a smartphone. So all you have to do is install the Chamberlain app on your smartphone and you’re good to go.
You can also use the app to control the garage door remotely and record the movement of the garage door at a specific time of day. With this feature, you can check the status of the garage door and even make changes if required.
This device also comes with a remote control that you can use to open and close your garage door from a distance. The remote works well and provides enough range to operate the garage door from a distance of 10 feet.
Additionally, it comes with a built-in battery that has a capacity of up to 3,000 hours. You can easily recharge the battery by plugging in the AC power.
It is a reliable option for those seeking a garage opener that’s simple to install. It is designed to be installed on a garage door with only one door so that it can be operated easily.
This opener has an ultra-quiet motor that will allow you to operate the garage door without any external noise. Garage doors can also be opened and closed using a remote control.
In our opinion, this is the ideal garage door opener for a 12×12 door and will provide a good value for money. You should not worry about the cost as this device will last for many years without any problems. It also comes with a 2-year warranty and is backed by the Chamberlain Group.
Overall, the garage door opener is one of the best currently available. The product is affordable and comes with many great features. So if you’re looking for a secure garage door opener, then you should definitely consider buying this
3. LiftMaster Elite Series Garage Door Operator
Our Review:
The LiftMaster Elite Series Garage Door Operator is built with high-quality materials and designed to provide functionality and comfort for your home and office.
It has been constructed to make life easier and more convenient for everyone at home or work. With the help of this device, you can open and close the garage doors and operate the remote garage door opener. It’s a complete security solution for the garage.
This garage door operator comes with a keypad and remote control, making it easy to operate. The keypad is a great addition to this product, and it also provides the user with added convenience by displaying the status of the remote garage door opener.
We have noticed that this gadget also comes with a P3 Motor that is designed to offer the best performance when opening and closing the garage door. It can lift up to 5,000 lbs. of weight, so you can be sure that you will have the best opener for your garage.
Another amazing feature of this garage door opener is the ultra-quiet operation that makes it one of the best among its competitors in the market. You won’t be able to hear a thing while operating the remote garage door opener with this device.
Overall, if you ask us we think this is the top garage door opener available today. It offers a complete security solution for your home and office at an economical price.
However, despite all these amazing features, this garage door opener does not work with roll-up doors and there are some additional options that you should know about.
4. Genie B6172H Garage Door Opener
Our Review:
If you are looking for a great opener for your garage doors, then the Genie B6172H Garage Door Opener is a good option for you. This opener is a very compact and sleek model that can fit almost anywhere in your house.
It uses the Safe-T-Pulse internal slack cable monitor system that keeps track of the force of the door during its opening and closing cycle.
We have seen another amazing feature that it provides is an automatic door lock to keep your garage door secure while it’s closed.
Moreover, the remote control of this opener is made up of 3 buttons that are pre-programmed for your convenience. You can use these buttons to open, close, and lock your garage doors.
It also has a wireless wall console that gives you instant access to your garage from any part of the house. This console offers a large screen display to help you find the most convenient way to operate the garage door opener.
This is an excellent option if you want to make sure that your family members are safe while they’re in the garage.
We can surely say that this is among the best if not the best garage door opener for a 14-foot door having Aladdin Connect WiFi Smart Technology that allows you to connect it to your home WiFi network and access it from anywhere in your house.
All in all, this is an excellent choice for closing and opening your garage door. It’s compact, lightweight, easy to install, and well-designed but one thing that makes the taste bitter is its non-compatibility with reverse-wound, outside pick-up spring cables, or rear-mounted torsion springs.
5. BeamUP Centurion Garage Door Opener
Our Review:
The BeamUP Centurion Garage Door Opener is a very innovative and stylish garage door opener that allows you to control your garage door from anywhere in the world with your smartphone. You will get a notification whenever the garage door opens or closes.
We have analyzed that this device is a must-have gadget for anyone who lives in an area with a high crime rate or for those who just want to ensure that their garage door is always closed at night.
The sleek design of this garage door opener has been made with a modern approach and this device provides a stylish look to your garage door without adding any weight or bulk.
Moreover, there are other features like automatic light control, remote door locking, remote door opening, remote access, and more.
If you live in an area where you are often robbed of your car, this device will make sure that your garage door stays shut at all times.
In addition, it’s very easy to install and set up, and it has a smooth and quiet operation. The LED lighting system on the other hand is highly energy-efficient, and the motor is made up of sustainable materials which help reduce the impact of carbon emissions.
All these features make this garage door opener a great option for those who are looking for an affordable yet high-quality garage door opener that comes with a lot of features at a reasonable price.
The only thing we don’t like about this device is that it can only be used to open and close garage doors that are less than seven feet high. If you have a garage door that’s higher than that, then you will need an extension kit.
6. Chamberlain B1381T Smart Garage Door Opener
Our Review:
The Chamberlain B1381T Smart Garage Door Opener is an excellent garage door opener for heavy wood doors that you can get on the market. It’s designed to provide complete control over your garage door and its movements from anywhere.
This garage door opener has a powerful motor that can lift and open or close the garage doors quickly and safely. You can control your garage door using the myQ app on your smartphone and the remote control is in addition included for convenience.
The wireless keypad of this garage door opener is included and has a long battery life so you don’t have to worry about battery drain. With its powerful lifting power, it can open almost any size garage door.
Furthermore, we have seen that it comes with several smart features such as automatic garage door opening and many more. Furthermore, it can connect to both WiFi and 4G networks to make it easier to access from wherever you like.
It is similarly equipped with an ultra-quiet operation and LED lighting that can be used to brighten up the interior of your garage.
If you are looking for a convenient way to open the garage door without lifting a finger then this is a great option. Overall, this garage door opener is a smart way of adding convenience and security to your home.
The only thing that you may not like about this gadget is that it does not work natively with Amazon Alexa, so if you have an Amazon Echo speaker, then you should look for something else.
Our Testing Process and Selection Criteria!
Our testing process for the best garage door openers for heavy doors was very thorough. We put a lot of time and effort into finding the best garage door openers for heavy doors. Our team first looked at the different models on the market and narrowed our choices down to 6.
The team members inspected factors like ease of installation, noise level, and ability to open and close a heavy door smoothly. Also, they tested the safety features of each opener to make sure it would not cause any damage to your door or property.
Besides, the testing crew looked at their lifting capacity, chain strength, and other features. They took into consideration the size and weight of the door and put all of this information together to create our list of the best garage door openers for heavy doors.
The testers also took into account the durability of the door and the horsepower of the opener. Then they read online reviews and compared prices.
In addition, they had to find a garage door that was at least 8 feet tall and 16 feet wide. Then, they had to find an opener that could lift the door without any issue. After that, the team had to install the opener and see if it worked properly.
Furthermore, they had to make sure that the opener could handle the weight of the door without any problems. Overall, the testing process was very difficult but the team members are confident that they found the best garage door opener for heavy doors. The top pick recommended by the testing department is the Genie B6172H Garage Door Opener because it’s durable, reliable, and easy to install and use. It comes with an automatic door lock and is lightweight and well-designed.
What To Look For When Buying a Door Opener for Heavy Doors?
The most appropriate way to choose the Best Heavy Door Garage Door Opener is to assess your individual needs. This will help you determine the features and functions that are most important to you and the way in which you want to use your garage door.
You can also take into account what kind of garage door opener you want. What are your expectations? Where would you like to install it? How much weight will it have to bear? What features would you like? Do you want to be able to manually open and close it?
The answers to these questions will help you to decide which type of garage door opener is right for you. Once you have a better idea of the type of garage door opener you want, you should be able to select one that will meet your needs.
Moreover, the features mentioned next must be taken into consideration as these will help in making a quality decision.
1. Horse Power
This is the most important feature when choosing a garage door opener. It’s because it determines the power and lifting capacity of your door. A garage door opener that can lift more weight requires a powerful motor and it also means that it is able to open and close a heavy garage door faster. A powerful motor can be anything from 2.5 HP to 3.5 HP.
2. Motor Size
Another considerable feature when choosing or buying a garage door opener is the motor size. This is because a bigger motor can handle a bigger weight and will provide faster garage door operation.
The standard motor size of a garage door opener is 6-7 inches. But this can vary depending on the weight of your garage door.
3. Weight Capacity
How much weight the garage door opener can carry is another thing to look for when choosing it for heavy doors. This is measured in pounds and will tell you how much weight it can lift safely.
As you can imagine, if you have a heavy garage door, it will take longer to open and close than one that is lighter. Therefore, you should opt for a garage door opener that can lift the weight of your door easily and effectively.
4. Automatic Operation
With the automatic operation, you no longer have to manually open and close the garage door. This feature can be very useful if you don’t want to be bothered every time you open or close your garage door.
Some garage door openers are equipped with an auto-open feature that makes them automatically open when you walk into the garage. But this is not something that all garage door openers can do. You need to find out yourself whether this feature is available or not.
5. Battery Life
This feature should be considered as you don’t want to buy something that drains your battery very soon. The battery life should be at least 12 to 15 months or more.
You should be able to open your garage door for more than an hour a day at least, and must not need to recharge the batteries often. It will save a lot of trouble if you can find a garage door opener with long battery life.
6. Remote Control
This is a great attribute for those who live in a house with limited space. If you have kids or pets who like to roam around freely, this will be a convenient feature to use.
It will allow you to open and close your garage door from anywhere with just the press of a button.
7. Security Lights
This feature is beneficial to those who have a home with a security system installed. It will be useful for you to know that the lights come on automatically whenever the garage door is opened. It is an additional safety feature that is worth considering when buying a garage door opener for your home.
8. Warranty
The warranty is one of the most important factors that you should consider. It is because you don’t want to spend money buying something that may be broken very soon.
A warranty is also a good way of knowing whether a product is well-made or not. Therefore, you should choose a garage door opener with a warranty of at least 1 year.
Conclusion!
A garage door opener is an essential device for homeowners. It allows us to open and close our garage doors easily without having to climb up ladders or stoop over the ground.
There are several factors to consider when looking for a garage door opener. Among these one of the most important factors is the weight capacity of your garage door. You’ll also want to consider the safety features as well.
Keeping these things in mind we’ve compiled a list of the top heavy-duty garage door openers to help you make the best choice.
So, if you’re looking for a garage door opener to help open your heavy garage doors with ease, the best option we will advise you to go for is the Genie B6172H Garage Door Opener.
It’s an affordable garage door opener that provides reliable performance. It’s easy to install, and it offers many features to help you get the best results.
What are your thoughts on this article? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. We are quite excited to get your feedback. If you liked it kindly give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends and family members. Thank you in advance.
FAQ’s
The amount of weight a garage door opener can handle depends on the model and the capacity. For example, some garage door openers can handle a maximum of 400 pounds while others can handle up to 600 pounds.
It all depends on the door and your needs. If you have a heavy door, you might want to consider a chain, but if you have a lot of windy days, it’s probably better to use a belt. It all depends on the door and your needs.
A 1/2 horsepower motor is recommended for garage doors up to 1,800 pounds and a 1 horsepower motor is recommended for garage doors weighing more than 1,800 pounds. However, if your garage door is particularly heavy and you’re not using an extension spring, then you may need a 1/2 or 3/4 horsepower motor.
The average lifespan of a garage door opener is about 10 – 15 years. But it also depends on a lot of things including the quality of the opener, how much use it gets, and what kind of doors it’s being used on.
The cost to install a garage door opener varies depending on the type of door you have and the kind of garage door opener you get. As a general rule, you should expect to pay at least $300 to $500 to have a garage door opener installed in your house.
Related Resources:
I am Jeff Bortnick, the founder of SMART WISE HOME. I am also a husband, father of two, and a long-time technology lover. I have been obsessed with home automation since I was at University doing my MSc in Automation and Control Engineering