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Reasons to Replace Garage Door Openers

Let’s take a closer look at the reasons you should consider replacing your garage door opener:

Automatic reversal

For the past few decades, it has been necessary for garage door openers to be fitted with a safety reversing mechanism. This feature uses two sensors on both sides of the garage door. This is so that for example if a child or pet passes through the sensors when the door is shutting, it will instantly stop and reverse direction. If your garage door opener doesn’t have such a feature, or it has one that’s faulty, we advise replacing it immediately as it’s an essential safety measure.

Enhanced security

Older garage door openers can be more prone to burglaries. This is due to the fact their remote controls operated with a fixed code. With such a system, someone with a special gadget could easily crack the code and find their way into your home. Newer garage door openers benefit from the rolling code feature. This means every time the garage is used – the code will automatically change. As a result, thieves will not be able to hack the code and enter your garage uninvited.

Smart features

The newest garage door openers offer Wi-Fi and smart device connectivity that allows you to do many useful things. A smart device with the relevant app can monitor and control your garage door from a remote location. For example, you can open/close your garage from wherever you are, or the app can warn you when you’ve left your garage door open. Run into heavy rain on your way home? No problem! With such smart features, open your garage door as soon as you’ve turned the corner of your road, to get inside your warm, cosy home quickly. Automated garage door openers often come with digital controls and read-outs that show time and temperature display, motion-sensor light control and programmed lock-down periods – what more could you want?

How Much are Garage Door Openers?

Prices based on a good quality electric garage door opener (automated) will vary from one supplier to another. However, as a rough guide, you can expect such prices:

Type Price (estimate)
Basic electric opener for a lightweight up and over garage door £150
Advanced electric opener £200
Openers for a roller garage door 150 to £200 (external fitting only)
Openers for a larger double-doored garage or sectional garage £280+

 

Installation will normally require servicing of the existing garage door, which in some cases could mean new parts too.

However, on average, without any additional parts, and power readily available, installation can start from approximately £180.

What Are the Best Garage Door Openers on the Market?

If you’re one of those people who often forgets to shut the garage door, or you’re constantly worrying whether you remembered to close it after heading out – automated garage door openers are a worthwhile investment. There are important qualities to look for when on the hunt for one as keeping your home safe as well as your life comfortable is essential.  Therefore, picking the right garage door opener requires research. Let’s take a look at our top two recommendations in more depth:

Electric Garage Door Opener

If you’re considering electric garage doors, you may be wondering how to choose from the range of automated openers for your existing garage. However, before you can pick the right one, you need to determine what type of garage door you have. The garage doors that can be transformed easily into automated solutions include:

Sectional

Sectional – these have four or five horizontal panels joined together with hinges that allow the door to bend and follow a curved path as it opens/closes.

Up-and-over

Up and over – these retractable doors have spring-aided horizontal runners which go into the garage.

Roller

Roller – if your garage door has a continuous curtain that rolls, it’s easy to switch to an electric version.

Side-hinged

Side-hinged – if they’re made with a durable chassis, an automatic garage door opener will be suitable.

Electric garage door openers are add-on devices connecting to your existing garage door opener so you can open/close the door from wherever using an app on your smart device. It doesn’t change the way your garage door works; it simply enhances it. What this means for you is it gives you a helping hand with things such as automatically shutting the garage door at night or opening it up when you’re pulling up on your drive after work. Plus, it also operates like a smart lock, offering you another way to let people in if you’re not at home. And, with firms such as Amazon offering an in-garage delivery service – you’ll never miss a parcel again!

The benefits don’t just stop there either – some electric garage door openers allow you to hook up to voice assistant features. As well as this, they can also integrate with smart home systems to manage everything at once with just a touch. Whether you have an up and over garage door and need a Dexxo Pro 800 RTS, or perhaps you have a roller garage door which requires an RDO 50 CSI – Somfy can help.

Remote Control Garage Door Opener

App control

Remote controlled garage doors are something that people are looking for more and more due to their many benefits. Whilst you can use an app to open/close your garage door, there’s also the option of using a pocket-sized remote to carry out these functions.

Forget your phone and there’s heavy rain outside? Don’t fret! Just grab your remote out of your pocket and open your garage door.

Handheld transmitter

The good news is that you can actually program your opener to open multiple garage doors with a remote control. Take the Keygo 4 RTS for example – it’s a compact and easy to use four channel remote control which gives you the ultimate automatic control over your garage door. It can be programmed to control up to four garage doors when paired with RTS electric garage door motors – and it can do this as when you please with just the touch of a button. Just pop it in your pocket and you’re good to go, and don’t worry about accidentally pressing a button as it has contemporary recessed buttons. Comfortable living just got better and that’s all thanks to the remote control garage door opener!

Making your choice

Now that you know a bit more about garage door openers, you can make a confident and informed choice when you come to purchase one. Go further with Somfy and explore all our electric garage door solutions to find the perfect one for you and your needs. With all the attractive benefits they have to offer, there are plenty of reasons to invest in automated garage door openers. Whether you use your garage as a DIY workshop or as a place to keep your vehicle safe, they’re an important addition for convenience, safety and security. So, go ahead and make life more comfortable, enjoy stress-free mornings and allow friendly faces access to your home, without you even having to be there.

Smart Control with TaHoma switch

 somfy-tahoma-switch-home-automation-box-1870595

Thanks to TaHoma® app

Open or close your single or double garage door and manage your other Somfy equipment from your smartphone using the TaHoma® app.

Combine all your smart devices

With the TaHoma® switch intelligent centralisation you take convenience to another level. It allows you to control not only your electric garage door motor from a smartphone, but also your lights, alarm, roller shutters and other connected objects. You can manage all of your equipment individually or jointly through scenarios.

Find out more
DEXXO PRO 800 RTS
  • Motorises garage doors up to 15m²
  • Sectional, up-and-over, roll-up, swinging and sliding garage doors

RTS motor and rail for up and over or sectional garage doors. Many additional operational options.

GDK 700 RTS
  • Motorises garage doors up to 7m²
  • Sectional and up-and-over garage doors

The Somfy GDK 700 is a silent garage door opener with burglar protection and obstacle detection. This easy to install device is suitable for sectional and tilt opening doors.

 

RDO 50 CSI
  • Rolling garage doors

Motor for rolling garage doors, includes manual override in case of power failure.

Rollixo RTS
  • Rolling garage doors

Somfy’s market leading LT CSI tubular motor, combined with the Rollixo RTS control is an unrivalled solution for motorising Roller Garage Doors.

Mandatory and optional safety accessories

LED White & Orange Warning light
  • Mandatory

It warns motorists that your vehicle is entering or exiting. It is positioned outside on one of the pillars or near your garage door. It is compulsory if your access is directly onto the public road. 

PHOTOCELLS
  • Mandatory

Any garage door fitted with automatic or remote control must be fitted with photoelectric cells. They make it possible to instantly stop the motor in the event an obstacle is detected.

 

Battery Back-Up Pack
  • Optional

You can also opt for the installation of a backup battery. It is designed to manage ten opening and closing cycles.

Where to buy

Find your closest Somfy dealer. We’re always happy to advise you further.

or

Buy online

  • Somfy shop

    View all Somfy products and packs for TaHoma®, Alarm, Garage door and accessories.