Did you know that the structural noise from a garage can be anywhere from 5 decibels to 20 decibels above the background noise levels? And if you are wondering how much change would a 20-decibel increase make, then consider this – with a rise of 20 decibels, the sound energy increases by a factor of 100!
No wonder a noisy garage can be a nuisance, especially if you have a room attached to the garage. But you don’t need to keep suffering. There are ways in which you can make your garage door a lot quieter. Here’s how.
1. Get an Insulated Garage Door
One of the best ways to decrease the noise is by insulating the door. Most garage doors are made of vinyl, steel, or aluminum. But these materials aren’t that great at absorbing vibrations. In fact, they can act as a drum and amplify the sound, say experts at J & E Garage Door, specialists in garage door repair in Elgin. Insulating the door takes care of this. Additionally, insulation improves the energy efficiency of your garage and makes the door much more durable.
There are 3 types of insulation commonly used for garage doors:
· Batt Insulation
This type of insulation is used commonly in ceilings and walls. It is quite effective but can prove to be too heavy for a garage door. It is also prone to breaking up, if not covered properly.
· Foam Board Insulation
Here, panels of polystyrene board are placed between 2 sheets of metal. They offer great insulation, without being very thick. It is one of the best types of insulation for dampening sound.
· Reflective Insulation
This method makes use of the same material that you might have seen draped around marathon runners. But because it is quite thin, it is not that great at reducing vibrations.
2. Get a Quieter Door Opener
Not all garage door openers are made equal. Many people go for chain drive openers, since they are affordable and reliable. But they make a lot of noise. So, choosing a drive belt opener could be a much better option, if you want quiet operations. These openers make use of a rubber belt. So, you don’t have to listen to metal clanking against each other every time you open the garage. Also, consider DC motors, instead of AC ones. Direct current openers are a lot smoother at starting and stopping. However, make sure to choose experienced garage door opener and installation service providers, such as those in Elgin, to install a drive belt opener in your door.
3. Ensure Your Door is Lubricated
An average garage door opens around 1,500 times a year! And for smooth operation through all those 1,500 cycles, proper lubrication is needed. Apart from ensuring it runs smoothly, lubrication reduces the noise as well. Some of the areas you should lubricate are:
- Rollers of the garage door
- Hinges
- Springs and the bearing plates
- Garage door rails
- Lock
Apart from these, tightening the nuts and bolts of the door regularly can also reduce the noise. And if you feel all of this is too much for you, it is best to call for professional garage door opener & installation services, such as J & E Garage Door in Elgin.
