Among all the factors to consider when shopping for garage door openers, the type of drive mechanism is probably not something you hear about very often. Yet, when using the opener, you may hear a difference in the sound of belt drive units because they are generally quieter than chain drive, though that isn't the only operating feature to consider.

RAYNOR SOLUTION: GARAGE DOOR OPENERS WITH BATTERY BACKUP

Though it is inconvenient at best when your electricity goes out, losing the ability to open or close your garage door can be among the most unnerving consequences. Of course, you can operate the door manually from inside the garage by pulling on the emergency release handle. Be sure you and other family members know how to do that. Another good solution: Choose a garage door opener with DC backup power.

If you have a large garage door with windows and other heavy features such as insulation, you may already know that it can be hard to lift by hand. That is particularly true if the garage door drums and springs aren't the right type and adjusted properly. Perhaps you deal with that every day if you have a manual opening door. Or when the electricity goes out, even a power-operated door can be just as great a struggle.

To save your back and also give you more confidence when lifting the door, there is a new type of garage door drum mechanism that literally takes the weight off.

While we definitely recommend a thorough service inspection by a certified Raynor dealer every 1 to 2 years, there are a few things you can check yourself to prevent problems from escalating. These visual checks should become a routine for you every month, especially if the garage door experiences hard use in your home.