Belt and chain garage door openers are household owners’ two most popular choices. Before selecting a particular option, you want to consider their price, reliability, noise, lifting capacity, strength, open-close speed, Wi-Fi compatibility, and many other aspects.
However, each type of garage door opener has some pros and cons. Here we come up with a comparison session on belt vs. chain garage door opener to help you choose the best option.
We will discuss everything in detail, giving you a better overview.
Quick Comparison Between The Two Garage Door Openers
Wondering about the primary differences between belt drive vs. chain drive garage door openers? Here is a small comparison table to get a quick idea about them.
| Specifications | Belt Garage Door Opener | Chain Garage Door Opener |
| Open-close speed | Faster than chain | Slightly slower than the belt |
| Noise | Quieter operation | A little bit noisy |
| Lifting Capacity | Lower | Higher |
| Operation Convenience | Very Smooth | Shakes moderately |
| Maintenance | Needs minimal maintenance | Needs more maintenance |
| Wi-Fi Capabilities | Built-in Wi-Fi system | Can be installed Wi-Fi adapters |
| Weather Compatibility | Works well in a regular weather | Can withstand harsh weather |
| Installation | Simple to install | Slightly tricky to install |
| Durability | Highly durable | Decent durability |
| Cost | Slightly higher | Affordable |
Primary Differences Between Belt And Chain Garage Door Openers
Apart from the primary differences, you should know each factor in detail. This will help you choose the best option as you know the nuts and bolts of a product.
- Open-Close Speed
It takes only a few seconds to open and close the garage door. A belt drive can open and close your garage door faster than a chain. But, most don’t care about this minor aspect.
Plus, you may need to adjust the chain garage door sometimes. This will increase the total time to open or close it. However, it happens once or twice throughout its lifespan.
- Noise
How do you react if a loud garage breaks your sleep in the middle of the night? Compared to chain drive, belt drive openers ensure quieter operation.
A belt drive opener is the best choice if your garage is located next to the bedroom or any office close to the garage area. This will keep your family member free from disturbance.
When your garage location is far from home, and you regularly lubricate the chain, a chain drive opener won’t be the wrong choice. But, belt drive openers work better to operate silently.
- Lifting Capacity
Chain drive door openers are stronger than belt drive openers.
Their increased strength makes them a top choice for lifting heavier doors.
If your garage door has a steel carriage or is huge to accumulate 2-3 cars, a chain drive opener is a better choice.
Taking the heavy load without any trouble is easygoing for chain drive.
However, a belt drive opener is entirely okay when your garage door has a lighter model. It can even handle one heavy car garage door effortlessly.
- Operational Convenience
Compared to Chain Openers, Belt Garage Door Openers work smoothly when you open and close them automatically. You won’t see any fluctuation while operating them.
On the other hand, Chain Garage Door Openers shake moderately (or heavily sometimes) while opening and closing them. If you don’t lubricate their moving parts adequately, you will experience immense shaking.
- Maintenance
Compared to belt drive, chain drive openers require more maintenance because it has the metal choice to open and close the door.
You need to regularly lubricate the metal parts since metal parts are prone to friction. They will wear out quickly if you don’t lubricate them from time to time.
Experts recommend using a good-quality lubricant for chain drive at least twice a year. You can use high viscosity oil or light petroleum oil that has anti-wear additives.
On the other hand, belt drive openers require minimal maintenance because it opens and closes through a rubber belt. But you need to keep it clean for maximum functionality.
- Wi-Fi Capability
Though both types of garage door openers have Wi-Fi compatibility, belt drive openers are a better choice. Many companies add built-in Wi-Fi for these garage door openers.
You can use your smartphone to control and monitor the door. Regardless of where you stay, it allows you open and closes the door from anywhere in the world.
You can also install a Wi-Fi adapter for chain drive openers if the specific model is adjustable. But not all models of chain drive openers will allow you to modify their functionality.
Watch this video for a better understanding.
- Weather Compatibility
Unlike belt drive openers, chain drive openers can effectively withstand hot and humid weather conditions. They won’t slip away easily from extreme weather conditions.
On the other hand, belt drive openers usually work well in normal weather conditions. Extreme weather conditions such as excessive cold or heat can affect their performance heavily.
Belt drive openers appear a good option when you can ensure stable weather conditions inside the garage. Otherwise, choose a chain drive opener if the external weather is very hot or cold.
- Installation
Belt garage door openers are easier to install since most parts are preassembled. You won’t have to spend a lot of time setting them up.
They can be readily available. You can easily purchase them from different home improvement stores. Plus, repairing or replacing broken or worn-out belt garage door openers requires only some basic tools.
- Durability
Belt and chain garage door openers can last ten years on average if you take them correctly. But, due to the frictional issues of the chain drive, belt drives are more likely to last longer.
However, the brand and model you choose will determine how good they really are. Your frequency of use and using approach will also affect the durability of a garage door opener.
- Cost
The price of chain drive garage openers is relatively lower. Plus, they are more widely available on the market. That’s why many companies offer chain drain along with the garage door.
In contrast, belt drive garage door openers are slightly on the expensive side. However, their maintenance cost is lower because their rubber moving part is not prone to friction.
Though the purchasing price of chain drive garage openers is lower, they have a significant maintenance cost. Depending upon your use frequency, you need to apply the lubricant.
Which Option Is The Best For Your Garage Door?
Both types of garage door openers have some unique features to remain in a competitive position.
Belt drive openers are an excellent choice if you want a faster, quieter, and smoother operation.
They have a built-in Wi-Fi system to control and monitor the garage door effortlessly. Additionally, this door opener is simple to install and has long-lasting durability.
On the flip side, chain garage door openers come with affordable pricing and powerful lifting capacity. If your garage has more than one door, this type of door opener is a practical choice.
On top of that, they can withstand harsh weather conditions such as extreme hot or cold temperatures. But make sure to take care of them appropriately as they are prone to friction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Both chain and belt-driven garage door openers are good in their particular perspectives. A chain opener is the best choice if you prefer affordable, robust, and weather-resistant door openers.
Belt garage door openers are perfect for quiet, smooth, fast, and consistent performance. They have a built-in Wi-Fi system and require minimal maintenance.
Belt Garage Door Opener can provide faster, quieter, smoother, and reliable functionality for a long time. They are simple to install and come with a built-in Wi-Fi system.
However, their performance will degrade if the weather is extremely hot or cold. You need to spend a good amount of money to buy and install them.
A belt drive is better than a chain in many aspects. For example, it doesn’t create excessive noise when you open and close the garage door.
Plus, you will save time for opening and closing the door because it works faster without any jamming issues. You need to take more care of chain drive openers than belt driver openers.
The average lifespan of belt drive garage door openers can be around ten years easily. But it might depend more or less on using frequency, installation approach, maintenance, and external weather conditions.
Wrapping Up
That’s the end of the belt vs. chain garage door opener discussion. We have already discussed all the essential factors of both kinds of door openers.
You can go for either option if it is more appropriate for your garage. Considering your garage size and location is vital too.
You should not mind spending extra few bucks as it is a long-term investment. Avoid installing any cheap garage door openers.
They will fail to perform consistently and not last long. You may need to repair them more often will be equal to a new door opener.