Choosing the Best Garage Door Opener Horsepower

When it comes to updating a garage, the first thing that most people think about is choosing the garage door itself. But there are other important decisions that must be made, such as the right garage door opener horsepower. The garage door opener works behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and seamless functionality.

In today’s post, we’ll take a look at key considerations to make when choosing the best garage door opener horsepower, and then review the three main options.

Factors to Consider

1. Garage Door Size and Weight: Are you dealing with a single or double garage door? What material(s) is it made out of? Is your garage door standard size or oversized? These are a few of the questions you’ll want to answer in order to determine the best garage door opener horsepower.
2. Longevity of Opener: Would you rather pay less up front knowing that you’ll probably need to replace your opener sooner, or spend more for a motor that’s designed to last? The longevity of the opener is an important factor to consider.
3. Other Garage Door Components: The size and weight of your garage door are only a couple of the components to keep in mind when choosing the garage door opener horsepower. You’ll also want to make sure that it’s the right fit for the specific springs, cables and tracks.

Garage Door Opener Horsepower Options

⅓ Horsepower: This is the least powerful and most affordable of all garage door opener horsepower options, but just because it’s affordable, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the most cost-effective choice long-term. A ⅓ HP opener typically has a shorter lifespan than higher horsepower alternatives, though they have greater longevity with lighter weight doors, such as a single garage door made of steel. While a ⅓ HP opener can technically lift any door as long as the weight is distributed evenly, it will need to be replaced more frequently when used with heavier doors.

½ Horsepower: The most popular of all garage door opener horsepower options, the ½ horsepower opener is extremely versatile, accommodating a single or double garage door. Provided the door(s) is an average weight measuring between eight to twelve feet in width, such as a carriage-style door, a ½ HP opener should be more than enough. It’s still a pretty affordable option, and as long as the door is balanced properly, it can last quite a long time.

¾ Horsepower: Some garage doors are considerably heavier than others, particularly the ones that are oversized and/or made of wood. If you find yourself seeking a garage door opener horsepower option for this type of garage door, your best bet is ¾ HP, which is the most powerful of the three. A ¾ HP opener is the most expensive, but it’s so durable and long-lasting that it’s worth it to have a properly functioning garage door that doesn’t require constant replacements.

If you’re in the market for the best garage door opener for your home or business, the team of experienced professionals at Champion Overhead Door is here to help. We can recommend the ideal garage door opener horsepower and ensure that your garage door is properly balanced to extend the lifespan of your investment. Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate!