Jackshaft Garage Door Openers: The Pros and Cons

Garage door openers are ubiquitous and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types. Jackshaft garage door openers are just one of the many types of openers available in the market. They offer unique conveniences that many homeowners will find appealing, but they also have certain drawbacks. If you are considering installing one of these openers, it is important to understand the pros and cons associated with them.

What Are Jackshaft Garage Door Openers?

Jackshaft openers use a wall-mount geared motor and a heavy-duty torsion spring to lift the door up and down. Unlike traditional chain- and belt-driven systems openers that attach directly to the door, jackshafts attach directly to the side of the door’s track. Their unique design and special drive connection system allow for smoother operation.

Advantages of Jackshaft Garage Door Openers

Jackshaft opener is the perfect choice for anyone wanting an efficient and safe way to get their garage door open and closed. Let us discuss the benefits of installing one:

They save you storage space.

Jackshaft openers utilize a vertical trolley system, which helps minimize the space needed for installation and operation. The result is maximum headroom in your garage and a greater sense of openness.

They are incredibly quiet when in use.

Jackshaft openers’ innovative design has no moving parts like pulleys and chains, creating an overall quieter operation. In addition, jackshafts feature an enclosed motor and a series of gears, eliminating any potential rattling from the system. They also come with reinforced steel hoods that further reduce noise and vibration. That makes jackshaft openers the perfect solution for anyone living in close quarters.

They work well in high clearances.

Unlike traditional openers, these are mounted on the wall near the door, saving up to 14 inches in ceiling height. That makes it easier to fit large items like tall trucks, boats, and recreational vehicles into your garage—all without hindering your ability to move around. It also makes them a perfect solution for commercial and industrial settings.

They improve safety.

Unlike traditional chain-driven garage door openers, Jackshaft openers use a belt drive system that eliminates the risk of flying chains, exposed pulleys, or slipping cables. That significantly reduces the risk of injury and ensures your load is safely lifted in one smooth motion. Additionally, these openers come with built-in courtesy lights and advanced security features such as adjustable soft start/stop settings and motion sensor control to ensure your door’s safe operation further.

Their Disadvantages

Of course, jackshaft openers have their drawbacks, just like anything else. These are a few of them:

They are more expensive than traditional openers.

Jackshaft openers require more specialized installation than systems with standard motors. For this reason, they tend to be much more expensive than other types of openers. In fact, they can be upwards to twice as expensive as a trolley-style garage door opener.

They lack safety sensors.

Unlike most other types of garage door openers, jackshaft openers do not rely on photoelectric sensors or motion detection systems to detect people, animals, or objects in the way of the door’s path. Unfortunately, this increases the risk of injury or property damage if something gets in the door’s path while moving.

They are more difficult to repair and maintain.

Jackshaft openers can be difficult to repair because of their complex internal components. If the motor fails, the repair can be expensive. In addition, the wiring used for these openers is usually more complicated than that used with other types of openers. Additionally, these openers require more maintenance as they use more exposed internal parts and require lubrication more frequently than other models.

Garage Door Opener Installation Near Me

Are you looking to upgrade to a jackshaft garage door opener? Omaha Garage Door Repair is your best choice for high-quality garage door opener installation and replacement services in and around Omaha, NE. Our team commits to providing the highest quality products and will work with you on a customized solution for your needs and budget. Contact us for free estimates, and let us help you open your way to a better garage door!