Surprisingly, not all homes have automatic garage doors in Arlington or anywhere else. You have to manually open and close the garage door in these cases. Having an automatic opener installed will save having to struggle to open and close the garage door in the rain or when you are dealing with groceries, small children or other items. It is easy to choose the right garage door opener when you follow these instructions.
Measure Garage Doors in Arlington to Choose an Opener
Knowing the height of your garage door will help you know what size extension you might need. If you are having the automatic opener installed by a professional, you can tell them the height, and they will know what materials to bring with them. When measuring, calculate the height of the opening, not the door itself.
Choose the Horsepower for Automatic Garage Doors in Arlington
Knowing what horsepower you need for your automatic garage door opener will help you choose the right one or tell the garage door company what you need. Aluminum, aluminum insulated and fiberglass garage doors are light and only need a ½ horsepower opener. A wood or steel garage door needs ¾ horsepower because they are heavier and require the additional power.
Choose the Type of Automatic for Garage Doors in Arlington
There are three types of automatic garage door openers. A chain drive is the most common. While noisy, they are reliable and last a long time. Another type is the belt drive. This type is newer and uses a belt instead of a chain for quicker and smoother operations. The third type of automatic garage door opener uses screw drive units and is the simplest style.
Choose the Type of Remote for Your Garage Doors in Arlington
The type of remote that will work best for your garage door will depend on what features you prefer. There are mini remotes that attach to your key chain, larger units with one button for one door and some have more buttons and offer capabilities, such as turning on your house lights. There are also door monitor remotes that will tell you if your garage door is open.
When you have measured your garage door and chosen the horsepower, type of automatic garage door opener and type of 
remote, you are ready to purchase and install it. It is much easier and convenient to just call a garage door company, give them all the information and let them do it for you. It is also surprisingly cost effective, depending on the garage door company you choose.
