51ZsC5nnCGLMost garage door openers are installed at the top center of the garage. Recently in the past few years a newer version called the Jackshaft opener has been added to the market. This opener can be installed on the side of the door.

While the older version openers are still more commonly used. The Jackshaft opener brings a few qualities and advantages of it’s own. This is great to use for garages that have high ceilings and is much easier to access for servicing or troubleshooting issues.

The Jackshaft opener is also great for any homeowners that have garages with sloped or cathedral ceilings. It’s also good to use anytime you can’t install a central opener because the depth of the garage is not enough for installation.

In order to install a traditional door opener. You must have about 48 inches of clearance above the garage door for installation. Any pipe or boiler can also be in the way of installation.

This is where the Jackshaft opener can come in handy as it can be mounted right on the side of your garage door instead of the top center of it.

 

Things You Need To Know About Jackshaft Opener

 

You can use a Jackshaft opener on standard lift, full vertical lift, and high lift doors. However, you can not use it on any headroom doors and it can only be used on a torsion spring. You need to make sure it’s at least 7 inches of space beside the door for installation. Another 3 inches is also needed above the tube.

If you get the liftmaster model, it has security 2.0 technology that gives better security with remote controls and can also be operated by smartphones or computers.

Jackshaft openers are quiet and are a really good choice if you have rooms or areas located above the garage that requires quietness. This opener is usually more expensive than the chain, belt, and screw driven openers, but can be a perfect choice for garages with non traditional ceiling details.