Wondering which garage door opener features to look for? Garage door openers have evolved significantly since their invention; becoming safer and smarter every year. But it can be hard to distinguish which features will be the best for your garage door. Let’s take a look at some of the most important garage door opener features to look for, and how those will affect you and your home.

Safety Features

As always, safety comes first! This is hands down the most important feature to consider when looking for a garage door opener. Sensors and the Automatic Reversing features will significantly decrease the risk of any injuries or accidents. The Automatic Reversing feature will automatically switch the direction of the garage door any time it encounters an unexpected obstacle. While the sensors create a line using lasers that, when gets broken, prevents the garage door from closing.

Type of Opener

Before browsing various garage door openers, you need to understand what type of opener will work with your garage door. It’s generally a good idea to choose a door and an opener that were made by the same manufacturer. The different types of openers are: 

• Chain-driven garage door openers are more affordable and stronger than their belt-driven counterparts. Their durability will extend the life of your opener, and their strength guarantees your garage door will open consistently.
• Belt-driven garage door openers are ideal if you are looking for an opener that makes less noise and movement. The convenience of a quieter mechanism, however, comes with a cost and they tend to be pricier than a chain-driven opener.
• Screw-Drive garage door openers use a different approach to lifting the garage door, and are faster and more reliable than chain and belt-driven openers. However, screw drive garage door openers require more maintenance and are not suitable for heavy doors found in older homes.

Manual Release

Garage door openers are a wonderful modern convenience! But you may still need to manually open your garage door from time to time, especially in the event of a power loss. This is why having a garage door opener with the Manual Release feature is critical. Manually opening your garage door is also a wonderful way to check for sagging.

Don’t forget to consider some of the more enjoyable features, too – like an opener that can be controlled from your smartphone! No matter which garage door opener you decide to purchase, ensuring the functionality and safety of your opener relies on a quality installation job. If you are looking to install or replace your garage door opener, contact our trusted professional team at 1-888-602-6550.

“Alexa, open the garage.” From voice activated door openers to smart locks to climate control apps. There are a plethora of practical gadgets to make entering and controlling your garage easier. Whether you’re interested in learning about the options or considering an upgrade, here are our top awesome new garage door gadgets for your home.

Tailwind iQ3 Smart Automatic Garage Controller Pro

When it comes to features, the Tailwind iQ3 Smart Automatic Garage Controller Pro is unparalleled by other garage door openers. It works with most garage door openers right out of the box and is easily compatible with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Homekit, SmartThings, and If This Then That (IFTTT). It even has a night mode for extra security! And if you forgot to close the door? It will automatically shut it after five minutes.

Alcidae Garager 2

Smart Camera meets Garage Door Opener in the Alcidae Garager 2. Not only does this gadget allow owners to easily open and close their garage door, but it also allows them to survey their garage with sound and motion detectors. As if that wasn’t cool enough, the Garager 2 also features a built-in mic and speaker, allowing users to speak directly to intruders, be they robbers or raccoons.

Why Should You Consider Upgrading Your Garage Gadgets?

We live in a device driven world. These devices are currently allowing us to control our lights, windows, HVAC systems, and security systems from an app on our phone. And it’s no secret that the up and coming younger generation enjoys the ease that comes with smart technology. As the housing market continues to shift and make room for them, now is the perfect year to make upgrades to your home’s exterior – including the garage!

But you don’t have to be invested in home automation for a smart garage-door gadget to be of use to you. Most of these are simply items that can make your life easier! Wondering which gadget might be right for you? Our team of qualified professionals is here to help. Contact us today at info@adamsdoorsystems.com.

Uh oh – you seem to have misplaced your garage door opener. Now what do you do? Believe it or not, losing your garage door opener is as common as misplacing your keys. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to secure your home and find a solution. Follow this step by step guide next time you lose your garage door opener.

1. Know How To Open Your Garage Door Manually

The first step when a garage opener has gone missing is to figure out how to open your garage without it. Fortunately, manufacturers have allowed doors to open rather easily without one in the event of a power outage or misplaced garage door opener. Spend some time familiarizing yourself with how to manually operate your garage and ensure the garage door opening mechanism is disabled. Bear in mind you may need to get a lock bar to ensure your garage door is properly locked while you search for a new remote.

2. Disable The Current Remote

For the sake of security, it is wise to disable all the remotes currently connected to your garage door opener. This is a relatively easy step that usually involves pressing a reset button on the motor housing.

3. Purchase and Program A New Remote

Most homeowners should be able to purchase a compatible remote pretty easily. First check the manufacturer of your garage door opener, and search online or at a local retailer for a remote that was made for or will easily integrate with your current system. If the manufacturer has gone out of business, there are also universal remotes available for older garages.

For those of us whose very nature involves losing small objects, you may wish to consider a smart garage opener. Most of the time, this simply means downloading an app that can be operated from your phone. Either way, as technology continues to evolve, so too will the way we do things. And when all else fails – there’s always the old fashioned way of operating. So don’t fret if you seem to have misplaced your garage door opener. There is always a solution available!

Want to know more about your garage door options? Adam’s Door Systems is here for you. Contact us at info@adamsdoorsystems.com! Contact our reliable and professional repairman at 905-602-6550 (Mississauga) or 416-502-2212 (Toronto).

Garage doors are simple! You come home, you press a button from your phone or a remote, and voila! Inside you go. But, things weren’t always so easy. In fact, when garage doors first became popular in the 1920s, oftentimes the passenger had to exit the car to open the garage manually. Even in the rain and snow. Luckily, both the convenience and the safety of garage door openers have made leaps and bounds over the last 100 years. Behold – the evolution of garage door openers.

The First Electric Garage Door Opener

The first electric garage door opener was introduced in 1926 by C.G. Johnson. However, the button to activate the system was located inside the garage. A convenient way for homeowners to bypass this system involved running a wire outside of the door. However, this made it easy for just anyone to come by and open your garage door.

Post World War II Electronics Boom

World War II stimulated a huge electronics boom. Once the 1950s hit, companies began releasing garage door openers that were far superior to the bulky and expensive openers from the 20s. In 1954, the Alliance Manufacturing Company marketed a garage door opener named Genie. Genie became the first mass-produced, radio-controlled residential garage door opener. The addition of the remote control made automatic operation of the garage door a true convenience. Alliance even went on to invent the direct-drive screw opener, which was probably the most popular unit installed in the 1970s.

Garage Door Openers Today

Early garage door openers only offered the most basic of functions – lifting and closing the door. Over the years, many variations have been developed. Including chain drive, belt drive, screw drive and jackshaft units. On top of remote radio operation, garage door openers can now be operated wirelessly with Wi-Fi connectivity. Allowing you to monitor and operate your garage door from wherever.

Safety Improvements

The earliest units did not have any safety features; they simply ran until reaching a travel limit switch and shutting off. Today’s residential opener systems all include a speed sensor that reverses the door to full open if it touches an obstruction, a photocell non-contact device that reverses the door to full open if a beam of light projected across the bottom of the door opening is broken and a maximum run timer that will shut down the opener system if it does not reach the close travel limit within a specified time.