Garage Door Horsepower Requirements

Certain garage doors like those made out of wood can be extremely heavy.

Garage door horsepower requirements. While it s the most expensive option it s also long lasting and durable with the maximum amount of power. Keep in mind that an electric garage door opener is only meant to work as a substitute for human strength. Balance your garage door and take care of periodic maintenance. If you have a sectional double car garage door a 1 2 horsepower motor should be sufficient but a higher power model will operate with less effort and less.

Garage door horsepower bottom line. Use a hp motor for doors measuring over 14 ft. Ratings ranging from 1 2 horsepower to 1 1 2 horsepower are typical for residential models. One car garages with steel doors only need a 1 2 horsepower garage door opener.

A garage door opener for an oversized garage door or a heavier garage door will need a higher horsepower garage door opener. The horsepower needed for your garage door opener is dependent on whether or not you want a long lasting opener verses replacing it every few cycles or the size of the door. Two car garages or one car garages with insulated or wooden doors need at least a 3 4 horsepower garage door opener. The amount of weight a garage door opener can lift depends on its horsepower and the width of the door.

For very heavy or tall garage doors look at a 3 4 hp or even a 1 hp model. Garages with carriage doors should opt for 1 hp garage door openers or higher. For example if you would like to lift a double garage door one might suggest using a 1 2 horsepower because the door is heavier and larger. You may be able to use an opener with a lower horsepower for these kinds of doors but it will put a greater strain on the system and your opener will not last as long.

The price difference is usually only 50 to 100 depending on the brand. These and oversized doors over 14 feet in width require a 3 4 hp opener in order for the component to function long term. Most of the weight is actually lifted by a tension or extension spring that. 2 4 to 3 7 m wide range.

Look for horsepower hp ratings to compare the lifting power between garage door opener models.