The Difference Between a Commercial Door Opener and a Residential Door Opener

Door openers are important for the safety and protection of a building structure – whether it is a residential or commercial building. However, many people don’t know the difference between a commercial door opener and a residential door opener.

Is using a commercial garage door opener on a residential application better and more secure? How different are the doors and hardware of commercial or industrial doors from the ones used for residential purposes?

What Is a Door Opener?

A door opener controls the physical opening and closing of the door. When choosing a door opener, you must determine its applications and uses. A commercial garage door opener, for example, is meant to be used many times a day as opposed to the scant utilization in residential properties.

The overall door system plays an important role in choosing the right door opener. It is also vital to have an opener that a reliable automatic door operator can power. Door operators are essential and are not all made equal.

For example, LiftMaster vs Chamberlain door operators may be great brands, but their applications differ. LiftMaster is a commercial door operator which is meant for heavy use, as seen in commercial operations, while Chamberlain is built for lifting lighter doors, such as residential garage doors.

Commercial vs Residential Door Opener

Door openers may seem like they are interchangeable. However, they have key differences that you should know. Industrial applications require heavy-duty commercial door openers that light-duty residential door openers cannot fulfill.

Here are the key differences between a commercial door opener and a residential door opener:

Type of Doors

Commercial and residential doors differ in how they open and close. As such, their respective door openers also differ depending on how the garage doors are operated. A commercial garage door is often a rolling door that rolls up toward the ceiling. This setup saves space and is convenient for commercial purposes.

Though residential buildings also often have overhead doors in their garages, they have the option to choose swinging and sliding doors depending on the aesthetics they want to achieve. Moreover, roller doors are not usually seen in residential homes. Instead, residential sectional doors are often seen.

Lift Type

The type of lift also differs. Commercial door garages work best with full vertical and high lift types for superior functionality. Residential garage doors, however, typically use standard or low headroom lift types because they are more suitable in small spaces such as home garages.

Door Size and Weight

When choosing the correct door opener, you should be mindful of the size and weight. It is an important factor because the dimensions and weight of the door opener should be able to carry and hold the size of the door.

A commercial door opener is always larger than a residential garage door. But, not all commercial door openers are created equal. They are further divided into categories depending on their operating capabilities:

• Light Duty Operators. These are meant for businesses with lighter doors and limited cycles per day.
• Medium Duty Operators. These are used by doors with medium or moderate weight but not heavy enough for industrial gate operators.
• Industrial Duty Operators. Industrial duty operators can lift and hold the heaviest of garage door gates without getting too much stress on their hardware.

Operational Energy Requirement

A stark difference between a commercial door opener and a residential door opener is their respective energy requirement. Because commercial door openers need to lift heavy doors and gates, their motors require more power and force. A commercial garage door operator will need a larger horsepower motor to operate fully.

On the contrary, a residential garage door operator is only meant for family use. It does not require lifting a heavy industrial sectional or commercial overhead door. Depending on the brand of the garage door operator, those utilized in home applications usually range between ½ to ¾ horsepower running on 115V.

Hardware

The hardware of both commercial and residential door openers is not the same. Since commercial door openers are meant for heavy-duty applications, their hardware and materials should be durable and strong enough to withstand their substantial workload.

Tracks, springs and other hardware for commercial door openers are always larger, more solid and more reliable than average residential door openers. Getting the right opener is synonymous with safety. If you install a residential door opener on a commercial door, you risk improper operation and the danger of malfunctioning and crushing a vehicle or person.

Installation Cost

The cost of installing a door opener depends on the type you will install. Generally, commercial door opener costs more because of their higher performance level. Door openers with reliable commercial operators can withstand time with proper repair and maintenance.

The cost further depends on the durability of the hardware you use, the brands you choose, and the type of opener you want to install.

Which Door Opener Is Best for Your Application?

Residential door openers and commercial door openers are not the same. Understanding their purpose and key differences gives you a clear idea of which is suitable for your access needs.

Picking the right commercial garage door depends on several factors. The type of garage door opener (trolley operator, jackshaft operator, hoist operator, etc.) also affects the selection.

But always remember to factor in the size and weight of the door, how many times it will be used in a day, the garage space, and the convenience it provides. Choose a door opener in accordance with the size of the garage door and the utilization traffic.

Commercial vs Residential Door Opener

Door openers are safety devices that provide protection and convenient access to your properties. Whether you need commercial door operators or residential ones, look for a reliable dealer with a wide range of safety and security products from trusted brands.

Contact All Security Equipment for additional information about these security products. Our variety of selections as well as our friendly customer service will help you make an informed decision about what you truly need.