If you have a noisy garage door, you might know one or two things to check to make it quieter. But if those don’t work, what do you try next?
This article will explain my nine best ways to make your noisy garage door quieter.
Let’s dive in.
1. Lubricate Moving Parts
Over time, your garage door’s metal parts can wear down and produce a lot of noise when they rub against each other. Lubricating your garage door helps to reduce the friction between the metal parts, which in turn reduces the noise.
Depending on your garage door, you will need white lithium grease or a silicone-based lubricant. (See the best garage door lubricants here)
Do not use WD-40 or petroleum-based lubricants, as they can attract dirt and grime, causing the garage door to malfunction.
To lubricate the parts:
- Start by cleaning them with a soft cloth to remove dirt or debris.
- Apply a small amount of lubricant to each moving part, including the rollers, hinges, and springs.
- Apply the lubricant evenly and wipe away any excess.
It is important to lubricate the garage door regularly to keep it running smoothly and quietly.
As a general rule, it is recommended that you lubricate your garage door at least once a year, depending on how often you use your garage door. Regular maintenance can prolong the life of your garage door and reduce the need for costly repairs.
2. Tighten any Loose Hardware
Over time, the hardware that holds your garage door together can become loose due to wear and tear. This can cause the door to rattle when opening or closing.
You’ll need a socket wrench or an adjustable wrench.
Inspect the hardware to identify any loose bolts, nuts, or screws. Tighten each loose piece of hardware by turning it clockwise with your wrench until it is snug.
Be careful not to over-tighten the hardware.
It is a good idea to periodically check the hardware on your garage door and tighten any loose pieces as needed. Regular maintenance can help to keep your garage door running smoothly and quietly.
3. Switch to Nylon Garage Door Rollers
Other than lubricating your garage door, replacing worn-out rollers with new nylon rollers is the most effective way to make your garage door quieter.
Rollers are the small wheels that help the garage door to move up and down along the tracks. They’re typically made of plastic or steel, which wear out quickly.
Over time, the rollers become worn or damaged, getting louder and louder as they move along your garage door tracks.
Nylon rollers are much quieter and smoother than metal rollers. If you opt for sealed nylon rollers, they also don’t require lubrication.
That cuts down on maintenance while helping to reduce noise.
Replacing your garage door rollers takes about an hour from start to finish and can be done using regular house tools. Experts recommend replacing the rollers on your garage door every 5-7 years to keep it operating smoothly and quietly.
4. Install a Vibration Isolation Kit
Garage door openers are typically bolted to steel rails hanging from your garage ceiling. As your garage door opener moves, the vibrations pass directly from the motor through the steel rails and into your ceiling.
Vibration isolation kits are designed to absorb the vibrations produced by the garage door opener. It typically includes rubber pads (isolators) installed between the garage door opener and the support brackets.
The rubber pads help absorb the vibrations produced by the garage door opener, reducing the noise and vibration transmitted throughout your home.
Installation is quick but typically involves temporarily removing your garage door opener’s motor.
Once the vibration isolation kit is installed, you should notice a drastic reduction in noise and vibration when the garage door opens and closes.
5. Add a Layer of Sound-Absorbing Material
Did you know that you can add sound-absorbing material to your garage door?
This can help dampen sound waves produced when the garage door opens and closes, making the door seem quieter.
There are several types of sound-absorbing materials that you can use to line the inside of your garage door, such as acoustic foam or rigid foam insulation.
Acoustic foam is a lightweight, flexible material designed to absorb sound waves. It is typically found in recording studios to help absorb echos.
Rigid foam insulation is commonly found in garage door insulation kits and can also help to absorb sound waves.
A word of warning, however. Adding a layer of sound-absorbing material to your garage door may affect its balance. (See the next section)
If you notice any problems with the operation of your garage door after adding sound-absorbing material, consult a professional garage door repair technician.
6. Re-Balance the Garage Door
When a garage door is unbalanced, it causes your garage door opener to work harder than it should.
This puts additional stress on the opener’s motor, producing more noise than it should. Even worse, it causes uneven wear on the rollers and other moving parts, leading to premature failure.
To check the balance of your garage door, start by disconnecting the garage door opener from the door. Next, manually lift the door to about waist height and release it.
The door should stay in place or move only slightly. If the door moves up or down rapidly or feels heavy to lift, it may be unbalanced.
It is generally not recommended for homeowners to balance their own garage door. Adjusting the tension on the garage door springs can be extremely hazardous and should only be done by a trained professional with the right tools and experience.
7. Install a Rubber Threshold Seal
A threshold seal is a rubber strip installed at the bottom of the garage door to create a seal between the door and the floor.
It doesn’t replace the rubber seal on the bottom of the garage door. Instead, it works with your door’s seal to eliminate any gaps.
The main purpose is to keep out water, debris, or outside air to make your garage cleaner and more comfortable. However, it also helps reduce noise by absorbing the garage door’s vibrations when it opens and closes.
When you have both a rubber seal on the bottom of the garage door and a threshold seal, they work together to create a tight seal between the garage door and the floor. This helps to keep out unwanted elements and reduce the noise the garage door produces when opening and closing.
Installing a threshold seal is generally a straightforward process and can be completed by most homeowners with basic DIY skills. However, the difficulty may vary depending on the type of threshold seal and the condition of your garage floor.
8. Adjust the Garage Door Opener’s Travel Limits
If your garage slams on the ground when you shut it, you can fix that by adjusting the travel limits. Travel limits determine how far the garage door opens and closes and can be adjusted to reduce the force used to open and close the door.
Depending on the garage door opener, this can involve physical screws or bumpers along the tracks or software settings in the motor.
Be careful when adjusting your garage door opener’s travel limits. Making too large an adjustment can cause damage to the door.
By adjusting the travel limits of your garage door opener, you can reduce the force used to open and close the door, which can help reduce noise and prolong the life of your garage door and opener.
9. Install a Belt-Drive Garage Door Opener
If your garage door opener is over 10 years old, replacing it with a newer, belt-drive garage door will make it quieter. Unlike older chain-drive units, belt-drive garage door openers operate smoothly, with minimal vibration and noise.
Instead of a metal chain, belt-drive openers use a rubber belt to drive the trolley that moves the garage door along the tracks. The rubber belt helps absorb vibrations, significantly reducing noise.
Typically, belt-drive openers produce 50% to 75% less noise than chain-drive openers. However, that can depend on the brand of garage door opener and the garage door’s condition.
Additionally, many newer garage door openers include features such as Wi-Fi connectivity, smartphone control, and battery backup, providing added convenience and security for your home.
