Chain Vs Belt Drive Garage Door

The chains used on residential garage door openers typically have higher tensile strength and greater lifting capacity than belts.

Chain vs belt drive garage door.

The actual mechanisms of the openers are the same with the exception of a belt drive garage door opener using a steel reinforced rubber fiberglass or polyurethane belt. Belt drive openers are pretty much identical to chain drive garage door openers with one main difference. Belt drive is the luxury choice for those who insist on quiet operation and sleek design. When comparing the chain drive garage door opener and the belt drive system you will notice that the belt drive is much quieter.

They also may last longer in certain applications. Belt drive garage openers use a rubber belt to open the garage door. Other installation features are similar to that of belts the chain is joined with an adjustable clip and driven by a sprocket on top of the motor. It uses a chain running assembly unit attached to tension springs that lift the garage door up and down.

The rubber belt is used to slide the trolley when the door is triggered to open or close the door. The noise from the chain drive which is made from the gearing motor and metal to metal contact leaves this type of opener at a disadvantage. Like a chain drive the belt drive operates by moving the rubber belt. The low vibration belt is made from polyurethane steel.

And it s still the most popular type of drive mechanism for garage door openers. They are exactly the same as the belt drive with the belt simply replacing the chain in the drive mechanism. 0 35 hp for doors up to 350 lbs.