Here's How: Replace Your Old Garage Door Opener

James Dulley on Mar 5, 2026

Dear James: My old noisy garage door opener needs to be replaced. What is the best type to get for a two-car opener, and do you have any helpful installation tips? -- Marcia G.

Dear Marcia: A garage door opener is not only convenient and a time-saver, but a security feature. You are much safer staying inside your car until it is in the garage with the door closed than if you have to get out at night and open the door manually. If it fails to work, you can still manually open the door.

The three primary options for garage door opener designs are in the drive mechanisms: chain, screw and belt. Chain drives are usually the least expensive, but also the noisiest. Screw drives are middle of the road, and the belt drives are the quietest.

For the greatest security, at only slightly higher initial cost, select a garage door opener with a randomly revolving access code. Each time you enter your garage, the electronic code automatically changes. This keeps a would-be thief from electronically capturing the access code and using it to enter your garage when you are away.

Before installing your garage door opener, check your local building codes. Most openers come with a 40-inch cord, and the electrical outlet that it plugs into must be within 36 inches of the opener. Also, some areas require a garage door opener be wired to its own circuit breaker, so make sure you have the electrical outlet positioned and wired properly.

One of the most common problems resulting from do-it-yourself installation is that the opener motor and track are not securely attached to the ceiling. The motor assembly can weigh 50 pounds, not including the forces of opening a door, so secure installation is necessary for quiet operation.

Make sure the motor housing or mounting brackets are screwed securely into the lumber framing in the ceiling, not just into the drywall with anchors. You may have to go into your garage attic and nail a two-by-six piece of lumber across several joists for support.

The next step is to assemble the opener. This varies depending on the design, but the instructions included with it should detail this operation well. Getting the track set up is probably the most time-consuming part of the installation.

All openers will have a header-mounting bracket that mounts on the garage wall, typically several inches above the track section. As with the motor, it is important to securely fasten the bracket to the wall. Ideally, you will be able to screw it into the two-by-six header above the garage door opening. Next secure the motor to the ceiling.

The final step is to install the infrared safety controls. A beam of light energy shines from one side of the garage door opening to a sensor on the other side. It is usually located 6 inches above the ground. If the beam of light gets broken, a closing door should stop or reverse and open.

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Send your questions to Here's How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45244 or visit www.dulley.com. To find out more about James Dulley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.