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3 Reasons Why Your Garage Door Is Noisy

By design, the average garage door makes some noise as it opens and closes. The hum of the opener, the clatter of panel bumping into panel, and the squeak of springs all let you know when a family member is leaving or coming home.

However, a few factors could take your garage door’s sound levels up a few decibels. If your garage door rattles, shrieks, and rumbles excessively, you may have the following problems on your hands.

1. Worn Out Rollers

Along each side of your garage door, you’ll find rollers that carry the door up and down the guide rail. Over time, friction and pressure will wear out these rollers, giving them uneven edges and cracks. Rather than gliding smoothly over the rail, the rollers will bump and bounce whenever you open or close the door.

Although roller material and garage door weight affect your rollers’ lifespan, many rollers last about 10,000 cycles, or about 10 years. If you have an older door or if your garage door sees a lot of use, talk to a professional about replacing the rollers.

Keep in mind that some rollers are noisier than others. For a quieter garage door, invest in nylon rollers rather than metal rollers. Although nylon rollers cost more, they don’t have to be lubricated as often as metal rollers, and they absorb sounds more effectively.

2. Chain Drive Operators

Garage door openers typically come in three varieties: belt drive, chain drive, and screw drive. Chain drive garage doors present the most economical and dependable option of the three, so your home likely uses this system.

Unfortunately, chain drive garage door openers are often the noisiest option because the chains bang against the metal rail as they pull your door open or allow it to close. Furthermore, the chain guides deteriorate with age, and as the pieces break off, the chain will bounce and bang louder than ever.

If you have a chain drive operator, consider upgrading to a screw drive or belt drive system. Screw drives feature plastic-lined tracks to reduce noise, while belt drives have fewer moving parts and minimal vibrations.

3. Lack of Lubrication

Many of your garage door parts have to move under a great deal of pressure. Consequently, they rely heavily on lubrication to ensure those movements go smoothly. If you neglect to lubricate your garage door, the parts and pieces may stick and grind against each other, causing unnecessary vibrations.

Ideally, you should lubricate rollers, bearings, and hinges at least once a year. If you wish, you can also lubricate the garage door frame on an annual basis to help your door slide with ease.

Keep in mind that W-D 40 is not a proper lubricant for garage doors. Although the product works well for short-term use, it functions primarily as a cleaner and degreaser. Clean rails allow for smoother movements, but they ultimately need a lubricant to function at their best.

As you shop for lubricants, look for a white lithium grease or silicone spray. You can also opt for an aerosol for maintaining tiny moving parts.

Hire a Garage Door Expert to Replace Your Door

If you’ve addressed all of the above issues and your garage door still generates too much noise, talk to a garage door expert about your door. Your door could be loud for a variety of reasons, including worn torsion springs, damaged hinges, and missing insulation strips. In some cases, the sounds from the garage door amplify through the entire garage structure, and you may need extra insulation to muffle the racket. Your technician can help you pinpoint the problem and may recommend repairs or replacement to ensure smooth, quiet operation.   

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