How to Make Garage Door Quieter? Garage doors are a necessity for most people, and garage door openers have made them more accessible. But if you live in a neighborhood with close neighbors, the noise from your garage door can be a problem for those who share your space.
If this sounds like an issue that is affecting you or someone you know, there are some things that can be done to make it quieter. In this article, we will give you our findings of the best way to make your garage door quieter. Here’s how:
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Possible Factors That Cause Noise To Your Garage Door
Possible factors affecting noise levels to your garage door include installing a new garage door or door opener, the condition of the springs on the door, and dirt and debris on the tracks of a roll-up door.
Garage doors are typically very noisy, but they do not need to be. It is possible to find new garage doors that operate quietly, and many of the factors causing noise can be fixed or minimized.
There are many reasons why you might experience noise from your garage door. One of the most common reasons is the need to lubricate the tracks. When vibrations cause an outlying point in the track to move up and down, this can make a rattling or buzzing sound.
The other possible cause of the noise is a failing spring, which may be due to wear and tear. If the tension is too loose or too tight, this can cause an overall disruption in how your garage door operates.
You might also want to look at the track itself. The track needs to be attached firmly to the building structure so it doesn’t bounce around when your garage door moves up and down. If you have some kind of obstruction keeping the track from being fully connected to the building, this can cause violent vibrations.
The next possible reason why your garage door might be creating noise is due to inconsistencies in how it moves with the floor. If one side of the track isn’t level or on a different plane than its partner, both sides will not move simultaneously. This can cause a loud noise when the garage door moves in the correct direction.
The next reason might be due to faulty parts or components. As your garage door wears with age, certain parts may break which will need to be replaced in order for your door to function properly again.
Another potential cause of the noise that you may need to consider is the possibility that your garage door might not sit correctly on the floor. If it’s too high, it may catch when you try to close it. This can cause a scraping sound as it moves along its own track. It can also mean that your car will get caught in the door.
If your door is too low, it might hang up on the floor. This can result in a loud clunk as it hits the frame and jolts back upwards. The same thing could happen if the door moves down just slightly before going back up to complete its cycle.
Sometimes you may need to check how the tracks are installed on the door. If they aren’t attached properly, this can cause your garage door to move unevenly and with enough force to create a clunking or banging sound.
Finally, noisy parts could be an issue. If the rollers are too loose, they may rattle when the door moves. A loose cable can also be a problem because it is not being adequately supported by the spring.
How To Make Garage Door Quieter?
Garage doors are one of those things that people figure, why to bother making them quiet, they just have to be loud for a little while in the morning and evening when you leave/come home from work. However, if it bothering your neighbor or is really noisy you might want to look at some of these ways to make the garage door quieter.
Clean Garage Area
In order to make a garage door quieter, it is recommended that you clean the garage area before the installation of the garage door. A dirty area will lead to more noise.
Not only that, if you install a new or older small-sized door on an old track, the roller may have ribbing that will also cause more noise. In this case, it is recommended to replace the rollers.
Checking The Hinges And Screws
Another way of making a garage door quieter is by checking the condition of the hinges and screws. Tighten any loose screws or broken pieces so they do not cause squeaking noises from too much play in them. Some people also choose to install soft motion pads on their doors for additional sound abatement.
Garage Door Springs And Cables
If the garage door springs or cables are worn, they can also contribute to additional noise from a too-loose cable when it is in motion. Make sure that all of your hardware is well oiled and there is no rust.
If you have a steel door, make sure the screws holding in the hinges are steel and not aluminum screws. Steel screws hold better in a steel door than an aluminum screw does.
Consider Using A Belt Drive System
If the problem is that your garage door opener was just too noisy, consider installing a belt drive system for a garage opener. It runs on a rubber belt rather than a chain which will cause the door to go up and down with less noise.
Add Weather Stripping
Next, consider adding weather stripping between the tracks and the bottom of the garage door. This will help keep outside air from being forced into your garage if you have an older-style set-up without them already installed. Not only will this option make your garage door quieter, but it will also help keep your energy bills down in the summer and winter months.
Consider Adding An Overhead Door
If the garage door opener is really old, add an overhead door instead. These doors do not move when they are open like a traditional door does and therefore make much less noise. The only drawback to these is that they are stationary, so if you have more than one garage door, it will at least look strange.
Use A Garage Door Silencer Pad
Last but certainly not least, consider adding a garage door silencer pad to the bottom of your door. These pads make the noise from opening and closing almost completely disappear. They can be purchased at any hardware store and are very easy to install.
Consider Staining The Wood On Your Garage Door
If you have an old wooden garage door. You can also consider re-staining or painting it to help keep the noise down. Not only will this make it look better, but if your door is wood, it will also help you keep your energy bills down.
Adding insulation to your garage door
You can choose to add insulation if you don’t want to go through the trouble of painting or staining the wood of your garage door. Insulation will not only make your door quieter, but it can also save you money on heating and cooling bills.
Go With A Newer, Quieter Model Of Garage Door Opener
Last, of all, you can choose to go with a newer, quieter model of garage door opener if your current one is simply too loud. These models often have a special feature that makes them much less noisy when they open and close the door.
Finding The Right Garage Door Repairer
If you find that your garage door is making too much noise, call an experienced garage door repairer to fix the issue immediately. A good repairer will be able to come out and inspect your current set-up before giving you any advice on how to make it run more quietly.
Keeping Your Door Well Oiled And Greased
Another way to keep your garage door working properly, and therefore running quieter for you is by keeping it well oiled and greased. Make sure that you check this regularly to ensure that everything stays in good condition because if parts of your garage door wear out then they will make your garage door make noise every time they are used.
Always Consider The Age Of Your Garage Door
Last but certainly not least, always consider the age of your garage door before making any decisions about how to quiet it down. A new garage door will likely need less work done to it than an older one that is starting to wear down. The older your door is, the more work and money you should invest into it to keep your garage as quiet as possible.
Call Your Local Garage Door Repair Company
If none of these options work, consider hiring an experienced local garage door repair company to take a look at your door and see what they can do for you.
Professional repairmen have the training and tools necessary to fix just about any problem that you can come across and can save you time and money in the long run by fixing any issues quickly before they get worse.
Read Garage Door Accessories Product Reviews
Last but not least, always make it a point to read garage door accessories product reviews before you make any purchases. These reviews will help you to see past the marketing and hype that companies use to sell their products and will give you a more realistic picture of how each product actually works.
Oil And Grease It
One of the most common complaints about the garage door is the noise it makes. Though a noisy garage door is not a frequent thing, in some cases you may have to oil and grease your garage door parts regularly. This will be depending on how frequently you use your garage doors.
Replace The Rollers
If you have metal rollers, then they tend to make a lot of noise when you open or close the garage door, so when you go to replace the rollers, choose ones that are made of rubber that could help in making your garage door much quieter.
Use The Spring Lubricant
When you are lubricating your garage door, you need to make sure that it is done thoroughly. Generally speaking, the two most important parts of the garage door that needs to be lubricated are the spring and the hinges.
By applying lubricant on these parts regularly; will not only help in making them much more manageable but will also add to the garage door’s lifespan.
Do Not Overload The Door
It is essential that you never overload your garage door when it comes to the amount of weight that you are putting on it. It is often a good idea to install a hydraulic lift if needed so that overloading will not be a problem for you anymore.
Things To Remember When Fixing Your Noisy Garage Door
1. Be careful not to damage anything.
2. Never attempt any repair work that you don’t feel comfortable doing. If the problem is beyond your expertise, it’s always best to call in a professional.
3. Don’t start fixing something if you’re not sure what the problem is, because this will only lead to further confusion and wasted time and money.
4. If you can’t fix it yourself, hire a professional who’s qualified to do the job right.
5. Keep your receipt and any warranty information in a safe place (and don’t lose it) in case there are problems with the door in the future that need fixing or replacing.
6. If you discover that the problem lies with the door itself, find out if it’s still under warranty and should be replaced.
7. Be patient while making any repairs, because garage doors are heavy and cumbersome to move around. Don’t force anything or take shortcuts when lifting or moving them, or you may do damage to them or yourself.
8. Don’t use your garage door when it’s in the process of being repaired, because this can cause further damage to it. Always check with a professional before using the door for anything.
9. If you have a broken spring or cable, replace them as soon as possible so that you don’t put yourself at risk of harm in the future.
10. If there’s a problem with the opener system itself, call a professional to inspect it and replace any faulty parts that need replacing.
11. Always double-check that you’ve turned off your power when making repairs, because this can save you from serious injury if something happens while you’re working on the door.
12. If it’s dark outside, make sure you have adequate lighting while working on repairing your garage door. This will help prevent injuries and mishaps with the door itself or any tools that you’re using.
13. Never try to repair an opener system in wet weather, because this can result in serious injury if something goes wrong during the repair.
14. If you have a detached garage, make sure to always close the door manually after using it, especially if there are children in the house.
15. Keep your garage door opener away from all sources of water (such as faucets) and any high humidity areas (like basements) to prevent rust or corrosion and to ensure that it works properly.
16. If you live in a high humidity area, it’s advisable to clean your garage door and opener system once every few months to prevent any damage due to moisture.
17. Garage doors tend to be heavy and bulky as well as noisy, so if you want them looking nice and new make sure to paint them every few years with a high-quality paint that’s designed for garage doors.
18. Finally, avoid lubricating your door or opener system if at all possible, as this will only attract dust and dirt which can hamper its proper functioning. It’s preferable to clean the entire door system once every year instead of lubricating it.
19. Inspect the weather stripping along the edges of the garage door for deterioration and replace it, if necessary. If you have a noisy garage door bottom seal, it may need to be repaired or replaced.
Between the door and the floor is a space that needs to be properly insulated. The length of this space should be at least two inches so that when wet slush from winter weather piles up on your floor it doesn’t seep into that easily opened gap.
20. If you have an older door with rollers instead of wheels, they will need to be lubricated once or twice per year if it’s noisy or hard to move around. This is especially true for doors that are taller than eight feet in height.
21. For doors that are likely to be exposed to extreme weather, it’s preferable to replace the tracks with metal ones instead of the traditional rollers. This will make your garage door last longer without needing too much maintenance.
FAQs
How do a quieter garage door work?
The garage doors openers are powerful, and since they sit right next to your head while you watch TV or listen to music, the noise can be horribly distracting. Fortunately, there are two ways to get the sound down, but it’s important that one step is done first.
What are the different types of garage doors openers?
There are three main types of garage door openers, chain driven, belt driven, and screw-type opener. The chain-driven opener moves the chain around its sprocket for opening and closing.
The belt-driven garage door opener is often used in places where the climate is warmer.
The screw-type garage door opener is less common but it does provide more power to operate heavier doors.
Heavier doors need more power because they need more force to counteract the weight when opening or closing.
The chain drive can produce enough power when working with a lighter door, while a screw-type opener may be necessary with a heavier one that has a greater weight-bearing capacity.
Is it possible to make my own garage door opener?
It is possible to make your own garage door opener, but it’s not recommended because the costs outweigh the benefits. You can find plans on how to make your own garage door opener through Google or by typing in “how to make a garage door opener”.
Can I remove the springs on a garage door to make it quieter?
No, you cannot remove the springs on a garage door because if their tension is not constant it can cause damage to nearby objects.
Removing the springs will make it harder for the wind’s wind gusts to move your door and therefore make it quieter (the metal rod that holds up weight against gravity), but you would then be at risk of hitting whatever object is next to whatever side of your house that does not have a wood surface.
The other option would be to install felt pads between your door and its timber overlay, which usually comes with good instructions on how to do so.
What is the best way to lubricate a noisy garage door hinge?
Put oil or grease on the hinge’s metal parts. Oiling a noisy garage door is one of the quickest fixes – this should significantly reduce noise and operating friction. This won’t need to be done too often because modern wood-plastic composite doors don’t require much maintenance due to their low water absorption.
This is not only simple but it’s inexpensive. If the garage door operates smoothly after applying new lubricant, great! But if there are still noise problems, it could be time for a replacement part.
Conclusion
How to make garage door quieter? Garage doors are notorious for being loud and noisy, which is why it’s important to do everything you can to make your garage door quieter. The article gives you some ways that will help reduce the noise level in your home. We hope you can easily fix your noisy garage door after reading our article in 2021!