Garages just keep getting bigger. Today’s homes have garages that are taller and wider than those of yesteryear. In fact, it is not uncommon for a garage to have ceilings that are 9, 12, or even 14‑feet tall. That provides homeowners with lots of additional space, but it also creates some serious problems, particularly when it comes to automatic garage door openers.
Fortunately, the major manufacturers of garage door openers like LiftMaster and Chamberlain noticed the shift in size and took action. They adapted a garage door opener that was previously found mainly in commercial or industrial doors and fit it into residential doors. This new style of residential opener is called a jackshaft opener.
Jackshaft arrives on the scene
Unlike conventional garage door openers, jackshaft models are installed beside the garage door. In comparison, conventional doors must be installed in the center of the ceiling and if the ceiling is very tall, the unit must be suspended with a metal frame, which immediately reduces storage space and causes other issues. The perfect candidate for the jackshaft opener is the standard garage door, which is roughly 7 to 8 feet high, which has at least 24 inches of headroom.
The addition of extra storage is the reason that the extra high garage ceilings have become so popular. Builders have been adding them more and more often in homes that do not have basements which makes it much easier for homeowners to store seasonal items and other types of rarely used items without having to buy an unattached storage building.
These high garage door openers also free up wall space on either side of the garage doors allowing you to put in hook systems, storage cabinets, and shelves.
All of the extra storage features are a great reason to use a Jackshaft opener, but they are not the only reason. These also make compelling reasons for getting a jackshaft:
- Homes with low headroom over the garage door, particularly in block‑construction, older homes dating back to the mid‑1900s.
- In homes where windows or false windows have been installed. It’s not uncommon for builders to opt for a window over the door rather than a garage door with windows. If the track system is a high‑lift type, then you won’t see the tracks through the window.
- It’s also important to understand that these openers work well with doors that max out at around 18 feet wide. That makes them a great choice for use with campers and RVs, as well as with other larger doors.
Jackshaft opener installation requirements
You must have sufficient space to install the Jackshaft opener, including the following:
- 8 inches of space to one side of the door
- 3 inches or more of headroom over the door
- A torsion‑type spring lift system to lift and balance the door
- Access to electricity no more than six feet from the housing
- At least 16.5 inches of space to accommodate the housing
Jackshaft opener advantages
- Additional storage space: This type of door opener can be used when the ceilings are higher. Plus, the space on either side of the garage door can be expanded which frees up a lot of room for storing your stuff.
- Quieter operation: Because jackshaft openers are DC models, they offer quieter operation, which is an important benefit for homes with bedrooms over the garage or right beside it.
- Works with cathedral ceilings: In homes with a cathedral ceiling in the garage, a conventional garage door opener requires a central trolley be installed on a frame that extends down into garage space. Not only does this eliminate usable room, but it also creates safety hazards. With a jackshaft opener, neither of those issues are present.
- Increased safety: The Jackshaft opener is installed makes it much more difficult for a potential thief to trip the safety release mechanism and gain access to your home. There is also no chance that part of the rack or trolley will fall onto a car or person underneath.
- Battery backups included: The Model 8500W comes with an emergency battery, which isn’t the case with most conventional garage door openers. With a battery backup, you can open and close the garage door up to 20 times even during a power outage.
Special features
Jackshaft openers have a few other special features that you should take into consideration. They...
- Use MyQ technology to allow you to open and close the door from anywhere you have cell service
- Have photo‑eye based reversal systems to ensure improved safety
- Offer safety through an emergency disconnect cord
- Offer a hacker‑proof security code with LiftMaster’s Security+ 2.0 system
- Use an LED light (with the 8500W model) you can install where it best suits your needs and usage patterns
- Offer additional accessories to make your life simpler and easier
Learn more about Jackshaft openers
Do you live in or around Fredericton? Contact us at 1-506-450-3031. We are experts in electric garage door openers and garage doors, and we’ll be happy to discuss your needs, budget, and other considerations to find the perfect option for you.
Add new comment