Garage doors are one of those things that, for better or worse, it can be easy to take for granted. So when it comes time to replace a worn-out or broken garage door, many people find themselves clueless about what to look for. If you would like to learn more about what constitutes a good garage door, read on. This article will introduce you to three essential qualities.

Low Noise

Everybody is familiar with the type of garage door so loud that it sounds like a passing freight train each time it opens or closes. Yet people are often surprised to learn that not all garage doors are so obtrusive. The distinction has everything to do with the drive type of a particular door.

There are three main drive types: chain drive, screw drive, and belt drive. Of these, chain drives, with their characteristic rattling, are the style most people are familiar with. They're also the loudest of the three. Screw drives, which lift by means of a threaded metal rod, are somewhat quieter.

For those who consider silence golden, however, the best option is a belt drive garage door. These open and close by means of a rubber belt, similar to the timing belt in your car. Just be warned that of the three types, belt drives are also the most expensive.

Dual-frequency Garage Door Opener

The true luxury of a good garage door is being able to open it with a push of the button. Unfortunately, if you live in a neighborhood with a high population density, you may find your garage door unwittingly opening at odd times. That's because most garage door openers operate with a fairly narrow frequency range, meaning your neighbors' signals may end up interfering with yours. 

To avoid the hassle of this scenario, opt for a dual-frequency door opener. As their name would imply, these send out two different frequencies. And because the door won't open unless both frequencies are accounted for, you run an infinitesimally smaller chance of having your door open and close as the result of other people's openers.

Battery Backup

Almost all garage doors have a manual release, in case the power goes out. This allows you to open and close the door even when the automatic opener can't. Yet for people with disabilities, or those who are older, manually opening the door may not be a feasible option. In that case, selecting a garage door with a battery backup is a good idea. Knowing that the door will continue to open for you, electricity or not, provides an extra measure of security.