Is your garage door in need of a replacement? Does your garage need more space than you have available? What’s the best model for you to purchase?
Many models of garage door openers exist. The most important deciding factors are your budget, size, and space available. All of these will play a huge role in your final decision.
Despite what many homeowners have been told, trolley operators are not their only option. A decade ago, a side-mount, also known as the wall-mount or jackshaft, was made for most types of residential structures.
Defining a Jackshaft Garage Door Opener
Wall-mounted openers are installed on the sidewall of the garage door. All of the essential components work the same for the opener itself, but the operation is completely different. This unit is attached to a torsion shaft that sets higher than the door to hold a torsion counterbalance system. When this system is engaged, it turns the shaft and makes the door go up or down. This is much different than the common types of garage door openers you might be used to seeing.
LLike this jackshaft-type opener? This is the 8500W model.
These openers have a much higher visual appeal than normal openers. They also provide plenty of other perks as well. They can be more expensive than standard openers, but there are several reasons why this can be considered a smart investment.
More Space for Your Garage
If you’re like other homeowners, you have a hard time clearing the garage of storage items. It’s okay; sometimes, we have a hard time throwing stuff away too. What can you do? Luckily, we have a solution for you.
You have to at least part with things that are of no value or use. This defeats the purpose of decluttering!
Deciding what to keep and what to throw away can be challenging and mentally exhausting. Use this blog to help you make efficient decisions regarding what should stay and what should go. Having a sentimental attachment to certain items can make the sorting process difficult at times. It’s understandable, though, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Using these three questions, the author makes the process much easier.
- Could I find it if I really needed it?
- What would the price be to replace it?
- Is there a high chance the item is vital? Is it a need or a want?
Believe it or not, WebMD has reported that decluttering can lead to physical benefits. This isn’t just a mental breakthrough we’re working on here! What’s good for the mind is good for the body. These are some of the primary benefits that decluttering has for you as an individual.
- Improved focus
Having a cluttered area can also clutter your mind. Getting rid of the unneeded collection of junk can improve your focus and attention span.
- Boost in confidence
When you’re organized and take steps to declutter your life, it substantially improves your confidence levels. Accomplishing these types of goals are big steps and have significant mental rewards.
- Better relationships
It’s hard for people to live together and coexist when one person has a collection problem. The other person may feel you are encroaching on their personal space by having so much junk. When you lighten your load, they may feel you’re doing them a courtesy.
- Improve allergies and asthma
Extra junk can be a haven for dust and dander. By clearing these items, you are not only getting rid of the dust that comes with them but the ventilation is improved as well.
- Better health overall
Having your life in order improves your health overall. You just feel better about your general situation when you can go to sleep, knowing your space is better organized.
Would you work in this environment? Imagine all the space you can save if you organize and clutter all your things! Image from Unsplash.
You never truly understand how much stuff you own until you clear the area out and take an inventory. This is easier if you do it in sections or use some type of organizational method. You can separate them by items, size, or any other way you choose. After you separate the items, you can decide what stays, what gets thrown away, and what gets donated. If things are still in good shape, there’s no reason some other person can’t appreciate them or find value.
When space is open, it’s easier to deep clean the bare floors and shelves. You can really get to the root of a sanitation problem when the area is free from any items and clutter.
After you have downsized, you can make sure everything you have decided to keep can still be kept safely in the garage.
You can choose to store supplies, cleaning materials, your tools, electronics, or just about anything you need to organize. However, sensitive items should not be kept in enclosed spaces like garages or basements.
This list of 15 things you shouldn’t store in your garage is great for scaring you into being more aware of what you keep lying around!
These items can fall into three main categories:
- Hazardous items
Think fumes when we say hazardous. Oil, gases, or rags containing anything combustible must go.
- Anything that bugs are attracted to.
Firewood, paper supplies, and anything stuffed with cotton or feathers should be kept elsewhere.
- Temperature-sensitive items
Certain electronics, baseball cards, comic books, certain clothes, and artwork should be kept in a safer place.
Find tips about space clearing and use them to improve your storage space.
When you install the garage door opener on the wall, you have a lot more overhead space. A trolley hanging directly overhead can take up a lot of room in the rafters where there could be usable storage space. This can also stop you from having a roof rack on your car.
Garage storage products are available for all budgets. This blog for a home improvement project magazine has a lot of amazing tips for using all of the available space in the garage. Many people forget that they can go vertical when they need to store things. Corkboards and hooks are great for lifting things off the floor. You would be amazed at the available floor space when you start storing high instead of low.
IMPORTANT! Jackshaft openers work with any ceiling design. However, they are better suited if you have a high ceiling because you don’t need any physical restraint for your headspace when you compare it to a trolley opener. Only eight inches of space is needed for your headspace as opposed to the trolley style. This isn’t a lot of room at all in the grand scheme of things.
Imagine how much space this woman could have if she’d removed the shelves on the side! Maximize your overhead garage storage by choosing a wall-mounted opener instead!
Higher Levels of Safety
Any and all openers are equipped with a photoelectric system. These systems cause the door to go up whenever there is something that breaches it. The big difference-maker with a wall-mounted opener is that the motor is covered by a box. This eliminates any exposed mechanical movements that could pose a risk. There are no chains or belts that children can get their fingers pinched in. These are common injuries in the garage area.
The motors attached to these are much quieter than a trolley as well. The look is also a lot more immaculate. If there is a bedroom above the garage, the occupants won’t be disturbed by a noisy trolley operator.
MyQ Security Camera Feature
Side-mount openers aren’t standard with security cameras, but they are an additional option. If you know about wiring electronics, we highly suggest you purchase the myQ intelligent camera from LiftMaster.
The camera can be controlled from your phone or laptop using the convenient myQ app. Notifications come through whenever motion is detected. The angle is a wide 140-degrees, so you can constantly be vigilant about your garage area and home even when you aren’t close. For a homeowner, having this security can ease a lot of stress and anxiety. These are useful as well if you have younger children that are home alone after school.
LiftMaster’s website provides much more information regarding the camera system and myQ app!
Control any movement around your garage with the myQ app from LiftMaster.
Who Wants Extra Maintenance?
When you have a side-mount opener, you eliminate a lot of unnecessary maintenance. There is no trolley system, which means there are far fewer pieces that you need to wipe down and lubricate.
You don’t need to be mindful about snapping belts or chains. There is no need for a stepladder when you maintain a side-mounted opener. They can be accessed at eye level.
Guess what else you eliminate? Those annoying cleanups when you spill additional lubricant whenever you maintain your overhead opener! We can’t tell you how many times we’ve spilled this annoying stuff on the tops of our cars and trucks. There’s no way around the mess, though, especially considering the lubricant is a fire hazard.
If you want to make your life a lot easier, you will consider purchasing a jackshaft opener for your garage!
You like this jackshaft-type opener? This is the 8500C model.
Do You Need More Help with Your Purchase?
All residential models of garage doors have different features that are specific to them. It can be difficult to remember what elements are important while trying to decide what is best for your garage specifically.
Call us at 631-589-4078 to schedule an appointment. We would be glad to assist you with any questions or concerns you have!
Our specialists at T.M. Kenney Door Systems are glad to help at any time. Feel free to contact us during our normal business hours. Our team is waiting to take phone calls to help you in purchasing the perfect setup for your garage!
Each client is unique and has specific needs. We do our best to field your questions individually, and sometimes we can get busy. If it works better for you, we can send you a free quotation via e-mail for any opener you choose.
If you want to go all the way, our photo gallery has inspiration for anyone looking for a complete garage makeover. When you need a new door, this can be the perfect place to start to get the door of your dreams. There’s no shortage of examples and photos if you need any type of inspirational source for your ideal design.
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