Wall-mounted door openers 101: What are they and do you need one?

If you’re building a new garage and there is a lot of empty space above the garage door you might want to think about installing a wall‑mounted door opener rather than one with a trolley, installed over the centre of the door.

What exactly is a wall‑mounted door opener?

These types of door openers are installed beside the door and are designed to be used in some residential applications, particularly in garages with high ceilings. More and more garages are being built with ceilings over 10 ft (3 m) tall. High ceilings in garages are common in townhouses, but also in other homes when owners desire more storage space. The average garage door is 7‑8 ft (2.1‑2.4 m) high.

Most door openers on the market are mounted over the centre of the door, these are also called "trolley" door openers. But these are not the only options available, there is an alternative that is installed beside the door, also known as a "Jackshaft" opener. This type of door opener is 16.25" x 6" x 6.75" (41 cm x 15 cm x 17 cm).

A Jackshaft opener is just as safe as a trolley opener, and is also equipped with a photoelectric reversal system. Just like with the trolley opener, the system is operated with a remote. This type of door opener uses the Security+ 2.0 system, ensuring that no‑one can intercept your signal, as the code changes each time it is used. This opener system also comes with a 3‑button wall control panel and can equipped with a backup battery in case of power cuts. It can also use MyQ technology, so you can open your garage door from your mobile device or laptop.

Should I be using this system?

If your garage has high ceilings (floor‑to‑ceiling distance of over 10 ft) and you have a 7 ft high garage door, you should be using this type of system. The wall‑mounted opener is much more beneficial for high ceilings, just think, if you install a trolley opener in your 10 ft tall garage, you’ll have to hang the motor unit at least 2 ft from the ceiling, and the L‑shaped brackets that hold the door opener will have to be exceptionally long. You’ll need to use slotted steel angles shaped like a triangle to securely install the trolley system, which again will be very long. In fact, the vibrations from the door opener will loosen these supports over time, decreasing the safety of your door opener system with each use.

You could also use a Jackshaft‑type system if you have sloped of cathedral ceilings in your garage. Again, a trolley system is an option, but a wall‑mounted system will be more practical.

Are there any physical constraints?

Yes, there are two:

• You need enough space (8 inches) on one side of the door;
• If you have torsion hardware (springs over the door header), you will have to use a solid shaft rather than a hollow tube to hold the springs. The solid shaft must be inserted in the door opener housing, and is how the opener raises and lowers the door.

Whether you choose a trolley or wall‑mounted door opener system, you must ensure the door is properly balanced. You should be able to lift a well‑balanced door with only one hand, and its perceived weight should be between 8 and 10 lb.

Are wall‑mounted door openers more expensive?

Wall‑mounted door openers are slightly more expensive than trolley systems, but the advantages make the investment worthwhile. While a professional series trolley opener, such as the 8355W (½ HP, belt drive) will cost around $375 to $400, you can expect to pay between $150 to $175 more for a wall‑mounted opener, such as the 8500.

I’m still not sure, can I contact you?

Of course, you can contact us at 905-684-8161 or send us a request for an online quotation. We would also be thrilled to see you at our showroom, where a member of our dedicated staff can show you our complete range of doors and door openers and help you make the right choice for your home.

If you’re looking for a new garage door, why not browse through our image gallery for inspiration, or have a play around with our Design Centre?