3 Common Disadvantages of Belt Drive Garage Door Openers

There are a few disadvantages of belt drive garage door openers that you should be aware of before making your purchase. While they are generally more reliable and longer-lasting than chain drives, there are a few things that can go wrong. In this blog post, we will discuss the seven most common disadvantages of belt vs chain drives. We’ll also provide tips on how to troubleshoot some of these issues and extend the life of your door’s opener.

Difference Between Belt Drive and Chain Drive Garage Door Opener

Belt drive and chain drive garage door openers are the two most common types of garage door openers. They both have their pros and cons, so it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. Here are the basic differences.

Belt Drive Garage Door Opener

A belt drive garage door opener uses a belt to connect the motor to the trolley. This allows the motor to move the trolley along the rail, which in turn opens and closes the garage door. They are widely popular over chain drives because they tend to run quieter and make less noise.

A belt garage door opener is considered more reliable than chain drive or screw drive openers because they have fewer moving parts and are less likely to malfunction. However, they aren’t perfect and we’ll discuss their drawbacks below.

Chain Drive Garage Door Opener

A chain-driven garage door opener uses a chain to connect the motor to the trolley. This allows the motor to move the trolley along the rail, which in turn opens and closes the garage door.

As a brash generalization, chain drives are considered less reliable than belt drive openers because they tend to have more moving parts.

The 3 Main Disadvantages of Belt Drive Garage Door Openers

Belt drive garage door openers are a popular choice for people looking to replace their old opener since they run quieter. The action of the belt movement is much smoother than that of a chain. There are disadvantages that we’ll cover below, however. The good news is they can be easily dealt with and they tend to be more reliable than chain drive or screw drive garage door openers.

In this article, we’ll discuss the seven most common disadvantages of belt drive garage door openers as well as how to troubleshoot some of these issues.

1. Chain Drive vs Belt Drive Price Difference

The number one biggest disadvantage of a belt drive garage door opener is its cost. When compared to chain drive openers, they are typically a bit more expensive due to the materials used and the features included. It’s actually just a small price difference, this is probably the most debated reason for not using a belt drive versus chain drives.

You have to weigh the upfront price difference between belt drive openers that are quieter and more reliable to a chain drive opener that is less expensive. Ultimately, a chain drive garage door may not last as long, meaning the long-term cost on your pocketbook might end up lower in the end with a belt.

On the other hand, even though slightly more expensive than chain drive openers, belts are still less expensive than screw-drive openers and those using a direct drive in general.

2. Belt Stretching, Loose Belt, or Belt Adjustment

Another disadvantage of belt drive garage door openers you might see over time is the rubber belt stretching. While the belt can be adjusted back to the correct tension, it is something to consider when purchasing a belt vs chain drive since it’s an additional maintenance item this type of opener has that others do not. You’ll hear those that don’t like belt drive openers say this is a big complaint.

Consider this though, chains can also require tensioning and adjustment. This is not typically a big deal when compared to what homeowners have in maintenance on any other type of opener.

3. Lifting Capacity

Unfortunately, with all else being equal, a belt drive garage door opener doesn’t have the same lifting capacity as that of a chain-drive opener. To overcome this, you may need to invest in a slightly larger motor if using a belt-drive opener in your garage.

This is mostly a concern if you have very large or heavy-weight garage doors. It could also be the case with the added weight of an insulated garage door.  Belt drives will need to be upsized to a larger horsepower to function correctly and complete the job.

Are Belt Drive Garage Door Openers Reliable?

A belt drive garage door opener tends to be more reliable than other types. This is mainly because there is no metal on metal contact with a belt. What does this matter? Well, this means no ongoing lubrication is required as there often is with chain drives.

Another reason belt drives are more reliable is there are fewer moving parts. Yes, that’s fewer parts to break and means less chance of something going wrong.

How Long Do Belt Drive Garage Door Openers Last?

Belts typically last longer than chains and screws. How long they will last for you depends on how often the garage door is used, as well as the climate and other conditions in your area. Direct drives are known to last the longest, but they also come with a much higher price tag.

In general, most garage door openers will last approximately 10-15 years, but this number is dependent on the factors mentioned above, and also how well maintained it is. You can extend its life by taking care of it and performing routine maintenance as spelled out below.

Maintenance

Just like with a car, it’s important to keep up with routine maintenance on your belt-driven door opener. This will help keep it running smoothly and extend its life. The first thing you should do is look up the opener’s manual and follow its instructions. This will ensure you get the best advice on your specific makes and models. If you can’t find it, some of the things you should do include:

• Lubricate internal components as necessary
• Check the rubber belt’s tension and integrity regularly
• Watch the door hinges for any excessive wear or damage

Troubleshooting

If you find yourself having issues with the service of your garage doors opening and closing, here are some tips to troubleshoot and fix the problem. If your opener is still under warranty, it’s best to consult the manufacturer first as they will likely have a list of authorized service technicians to help you.

Drive Squeaks

If the drive belt squeaks, check for proper tension and alignment. If it’s too tight, the belt can start to wear and squeak. If it’s too loose, it will come off. You may also need to check the wheel that turns the belt and make sure dirt is not being collected here.

Belt is Binding

Your belt should move freely and smoothly. If this is not the case and the belt binds, it could be because of dirt or dust on the pulleys. Clean them off and re-align the belt if necessary. This could also indicate a loose rail assembly that is causing the binding.

Dirty Belt

When you have issues with a belt-driven garage door opener, it’s a good idea to inspect the belt to make sure that excessive dirt or debris hasn’t accumulated on it or on the wheel that drives the belt. Door Won’t Open

Door Won’t Open

If the door won’t open, check to make sure there’s no power outage in your area. If not, then the issue could be with your opener’s remote, keypad, sensors, wall button, or a fuse or circuit breaker. Try troubleshooting each, one at a time, until you find the culprit and can fix it so your garage doors work again.

Hard Closing Garage Door

If your garage doors close hard, there are a couple of things to check. First, it might be due to something caught in between the door and the garage floor that was jarred loose. Check for any obstructions and remove them. If that wasn’t the issue and it happens again, check the force adjustment located on the back of the motor housing. This may need to be adjusted so that the door calmly settles and the floor.