Is a Side-Mount Garage Door Opener Worth It? Yes!

Is it that time in your life for replacing your garage door opener? Maybe you need extra space in your garage and you’re taking the plunge to update.

But How Can You Tell What You Should Buy?

There are so many models of garage door openers on the market. However, if you know your specific specifications, such as budget and what you’re hoping to achieve with the upgrade, you will have a better idea of which model to get.

A lot of buyers think that the only garage door openers are trolley operators, but there are others! A decade or so ago, a new model was created—it’s known by many names, such as a side-mount, wall-mount, or jackshaft, and was created for residential purposes.

What Is It?

It may seem obvious, but wall-mounted openers get placed on a garage door's sidewall. It uses many of the same elements as a central garage door opener, but the way it operates is completely different.

Rather than a rail, the motor is connected to a torsion shaft that sits above the door to make a counterbalance system.

When you open the garage, the whole mechanism turns, which operates the door.

Browse the different features of this garage door opener model.

Like this jackshaft-type garage door opener? This is the LiftMaster 8500W model.

When it comes to homes, these types of garage door openers are aesthetically pleasing and have other benefits. Although they cost more than other garage door openers, jackshift operators tend to be better all-around options.

Read on to see how!

Increase Garage Space

You can admit it—your garage is cluttered with so much stuff you don’t even remember what you have. Not to mention, you probably have more things that you want to shove into that space, too!

Switching to a side-mounted operator can save you space!

Before That—Time for Spring Cleaning

There’s no point in making more space in your garage if you’re just going to fill it with stuff you’ll never use.

You can hope that “one day” will come and until then, you have to hold on to the item, but it’s time to be honest.

“One day” isn’t going to come, at least not any time soon.

If you’re struggling to get rid of that unused stuff, we recommend you read this blog. In it, the author tells you to ask yourself:

  1. If I needed it, could I find it?
  2. How much would it cost to buy another?
  3. What are the chances that I’ll need it? And is it actually a “need”?

Also, cleaning up your space can make you healthier! Decluttering, according to WebMD, an American healthcare information services website, can:

Help you stay on task

If your workspace is in chaos, it can be hard to focus. Thus, if you clean up where you do your work, you won’t be as distracted, and you’ll get more work done.

Make you feel better about yourself

If you’re more organized, you’ll be able to get more stuff done. If you get more stuff done, you’ll feel better about yourself and you’ll be less stressed. You’ll be able to take on different things with confidence.

Keep your bonds with friends and family healthy

If you have a clean house, you’re more likely to invite people over. If you invite more people over, you’ll likely increase the bonds with your loved ones! And, if you have a roommate, you’ll avoid tension by keeping your common spaces clean.

Prevent pollutants and dust

If you clean your house, you will also get rid of dust and other allergens that might set off your asthma or other breathing issues. Clean your house to keep your lungs safe!

Increase your health

If your house is organized, you’ll be less distracted as you try to go to bed. You’ll be able to relax better and sleep more. Also, if you have a clean kitchen, you might even try to be healthier with your cooking rather than ordering out.

Overpacked and unorganized garage.

Would you work in this environment? Imagine all the space you can save if you organize and de-clutter all your things! Image from Unsplash.

Now that it’s time to clean, the first thing you should do is pull everything out of your garage.

Whether you want to do this section by section depends on how much stuff you have. Make sure you have the space to sort through your things—because of this, it’s best to go slowly.

Also, plan for an entire day (or more)! Sorting your things into piles of keep, donate, sell, or toss can take a long time. Don’t rush yourself!

Once your garage is entirely clean, you should try to scrub the floor and the shelves. Then, once everything is empty and clean, you’ll be able to come up with a new organizational system.

Check If Your Items Are Safe for Garage Storage

Once your garage is clean, you might feel tempted to put everything in there. However, there are some things that aren’t safe to keep in a garage.

You can find on this blog a list of 15 things you shouldn’t store in your garage if you don’t want to have unpleasant surprises. Also, this will help to keep you and your family safe.

Prohibited items tend to fall into these types:

Hazardous objects or substances

Oily rags, propane tanks, gasoline

Things that attract insects and small rodents

Pet food, books, firewood, bedding, toys

Delicate and precious items vulnerable to weather

Electronics, printed photographs, essential documents, wine, clothes, canned food

Find Tactics for Cleaning Your Garage

One tactic is to install your garage door opener on the wall—this will give you more overhead space since you won’t have to deal with a trolly or a rail in the middle of the ceiling.

Check out various storage items. This blog from a home improvement project magazine has lots of ideas and tips to maximize your space. From simple coated hooks for bikes to mounted shelves with plastic bins, there are plenty of options.

IMPORTANT! Jackshaft-type garage door openers work with every type of ceiling, but especially so if you have a lot of ceiling space or a high ceiling. Unlike a trolley garage opener, side-mounted ones only need about eight inches of space on either side of the door.

Trolley garage door openers take too much overhead space.

Imagine how much space this woman could have if she’d remove the shelves on the side! Maximize your overhead garage storage by choosing a wall-mounted opener instead!

Improve How Safe You Are

Nowadays, all types of garage door openers come with a photoelectric reversal system. This system forces the garage door to reopen if something passes its sensors when it’s closing.

When it comes to wall-mounted openers, however, a box covers the motor and hides away any dangerous moving parts. This can help keep kids and small animals safe if they get curious—they won’t be able to get into any of the internal mechanisms.

The wall-mounted motor is also more aesthetically pleasing, as well as quieter. If you have an office or a quiet space attached to the garage door wall, it can help to trap sound.

MyQ Security Camera

Side-mount garage door openers don’t come with a security camera, but you can purchase one and install it wherever you want in your garage. Try the myQ intelligent camera from LiftMaster.

This is a smart camera, which means you can control it from any smart device, no matter where in the world you are. You’ll receive a notification of movement in your garage, keeping you abreast of happenings in your house.

The myQ intelligent camera has a number of features that you should check out on LiftMaster’s website!

LiftMaster MyQ application to control your garage door opener and keep an eye on your house.

Control any movement around your garage with the myQ app from LiftMaster.

Doesn’t Need Constant Fixing

Side-mount garage door openers are resilient, and they don’t require constant care. Unlike a trolley opener, there are fewer moving parts, which means there are less things that might require lubrication after a lot of use.

This also means that you don’t have to use a stepladder for cleaning or anything, meaning that you’re at a much lower risk of falling off the stepladder and hurting yourself.

Side-mounted garage door openers are safer!

They’re also cleaner—since the garage door opener is on the wall, it’s much easier to keep lubricant from spilling and staining things in your garage. With less lubricant spilled, there’s less chance of fire hazards, as well.

Get a jackshaft garage door opener and allow yourself to relax.

A picture showing where is the photoelectric safety reverse system on your garage door and what it does

You like this jackshaft-type garage door opener? This is the LiftMaster 8500C model.

Want Help Choosing?

No matter what type of opener you’re trying to buy, it can be hard. All residential garage door opener models have distinct features, which may make you feel out of your depth when it comes time to buying.

We can help! Call us at 902-624-8993!

No matter where in the buying process you are—whether you’re just starting out or if you’re confused by the terminology—our specialists at SGM Garage Doors are here to aid you on this journey. Contact us during our opening hours!

We know that all our clients have different wants and budgets, all of which can have an impact on their choices. We will work with you to discuss what your best options are and answer all your questions. When the time comes, we can also provide you with a free quotation for whatever garage door opener you decide on.

If you’re also considering buying other things, such as a new garage door, check out our photo gallery for ideas. We have helped many homeowners in your area achieve their dream projects and guess what… you’re next!

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