One common complaint by homeowners is that their garage door opener makes too much noise. While it is not possible to have a truly silent opener, some are much quieter than others. Of the 3 main types of opener (belt, chain and screw), belt drives are purported to be the quietest, with screw drives a close second and chain drives pulling up the rear. Higher priced units tend to run more quietly than economy-priced units, so you can say that money does provide help in this area.

Vibrations Transmit Noise

If you remember your basic physics, sound needs a medium to travel through, and air is by far the most common medium for transmitting sounds. Removing the air between your noisy opener and your ears will render your opener completely silent, but this not recommended, as life in a vacuum is pretty short.

In the case of your garage door opener, your home also becomes a medium to transmit noise. Garage door openers are heavy machines and they need to be firmly attached to the framing members of your house to function safely. Noise and vibrations from the opener are often transmitted directly to the wood structure above. If this happens to be below the master bedroom, you can understand why you might have a problem.

Mechanical Isolation is Possible

Several ways exist to address this common problem. One features an after-market mounting kit designed using air space and rubber cushions to reduce the transmission of vibrations and noise into the framing members of your house.

Another method to stop the noise is more DIY -- simply hanging the opener from heavy duty rubber “straps.” However, many new high-end openers have isolation mechanisms built into the frame and chassis to stop noise, so these special mounts are not required.

Gears or Track Noise

All openers have some type of track to carry and support the chain, belt or screw. If not properly maintained, they often produce excess noise. You can stop or at least reduce the noise by following the manufacturer's recommendations for lubrication and care.

Another possible source of excess noise may be in the motor assembly itself. The opener motor typically transfers its rotation into the drive assembly through a set of gears; should these become damaged or worn, they can also produce unwanted noise. Check your owner’s manual for tips on keeping these gears turning quietly. If your opener was made before 1993 you might benefit from a complete replacement or upgrade. Modern designs have taken customer feedback into account, resulting in quieter machines. Openers built after 1993 also meet the newer federal safety regulations, so this can be a win-win situation for all.

Would you like a little help in quieting your noisy garage door opener? Find a reliable pro.

Updated May 8, 2018.