To find a reliable garage door opener, you must choose one that has excellent horsepower. But it might have a powerful motor that could produce vibrations and loud noise. Regardless of the type of home appliance you have, everyone wants one that will be quiet, run smoothly, and last long. This requires choosing a quiet garage door opener.
There are quiet garage door openers, and the quietest option is a belt drive garage door opener powered by DC electricity. You can find them with belt drive and chain drive openers. The three quietest door openers include Sommer Direct Drive 1042V001, SKYLINK Atoms ATR-1611C, and Chamberlain B970.
To choose a quiet garage door opener, find one that has a direct drive, chain, and belt drive. Knowing how a garage door opener works is great, but even better is understanding why they are so loud. Let’s look at this and the key features of the quietest garage door openers below.
How do Garage Door Openers Work?
A garage door opener is a mechanical device that is regulated by switches on the garage wall to open and close a garage door. Most models come with a portable radio remote control that may open and close the door from a short distance by the owner.
A computerized garage door opener allows you to unlock and lock the door with no struggle other than the pressing of a button, helping you to do so from the comfort of your vehicle. These openers use radio frequencies to open or close doors when the frequencies match.
A curving arm fastens the door to a garage door opener, which enables its movement. The motor leads the action of the door to open or close as spurred, using the torsion spring system to offset the door’s weight. This enables stable mobility.
The disadvantage of these openers is the use of similar frequencies. As a result, if your neighbors have the same system as you, they may use their remote to open your garage door. Fortunately, the frequency of the garage door opener may be changed from inside the garage.
Are There Quiet Garage Door Openers?
Yes, there are quiet garage door openers, and the most silent option is a belt drive garage door opener powered by DC electricity. These are commonly accessible and inexpensive, costing only a few dollars more than drive chain openers.
There are also silent chain drive garage door openers available. To minimize the noise level, consider a model with vibration isolation.
It’s critical to install a secure and durable garage door opener, but noise is also a factor to consider, particularly if you have a connected garage. Experts classified garage door openers into three groups:
- Chain drive: The chain drive garage door opener is the most prevalent form of garage door opener. A tough metal chain pushes or pulls the trolley that raises and lowers the door. Chain drive garage door openers are low-cost, reliable, and worthy of holding up garage doors weighing up to 500 pounds. However, they are loud.
- Belt drive: A belt drive garage door opener works similarly to a chain drive, but instead of a metal chain, it drives the trolley with a steel-reinforced belt comprising rubber, fiberglass, or polyurethane. Belt drives operate smoothly, quickly, and quietly.
- Screw drive: This type of garage door opener moves the trolley that lifts and lowers the door using a revolving steel rod that looks like a giant screw. A screw drive opener has fewer components, which means it requires less maintenance and has a longer lifespan. Special variants are even available that open the door twice as quickly. Screw drive garage door openers, unfortunately, are often fairly noisy.
Belt-driven garage doors are substantially more silent than chain-driven garage doors. They’re up to 30% quieter, which is a substantial distinction, particularly in homes with a bedroom above or connected to the garage.
When you combine belt technology with DC functionality, such as the LiftMaster 8550W, you get a garage door opener that is even quieter. However, it isn’t just the belt that keeps it quiet. It’s the fluidity of motion, as well as a noise-reducing housing design.
There is one disadvantage to belt drive openers. They are usually more expensive than chain drive openers. This is especially true of a three-section trolley system, like those found in big box stores.
Is the price increase you’ll have to pay worth the noise reduction? Yes, especially if you’re among the millions of people waking up by the noise of a loud garage door.
It’s critical to comprehend the distinction between AC and DC motors. From start to finish, AC (alternating current) motors maintain a steady speed. DC (direct current) motors begin slowly, accelerate, and then slow down before the door closes.
Although neither is significantly faster, DC motors are quieter in operation because of their variable speed. Depending on the size of the motor, both motors move the door at a rate of six to eight inches per second. It’s also worth pointing out that DC motors, unlike AC motors, can have a supportive battery backup.
What Is the Most Silent Garage Door Opener?
Here is a glimpse of the best three silent garage door openers:
1. Sommer Direct Drive 1042V001(on Amazon)
The Sommer 1042V001 is one of the few direct-drive systems on the market. It includes a 0.75 HP engine that can lift single or double garage doors. The entire setup is simple, light, and small. Because of its small size, it can be installed close to the ceiling, allowing for additional clearance above the vehicle.
Noise reduction is the most significant benefit of this device. The machine is exceptionally quiet and absorbs vibrations while in use.
The unit is similar to Homelink, although it doesn’t have Wi-Fi. As a result, you might sync your garage door opener with your vehicle, but you won’t be able to manage it from your smartphone.
Unfortunately, it is not comfortable to use. The buttons are tiny, and the size of the remote controls may be disappointing. Because of this, if you rely on the garage door opener as a primary source of illumination, this may be a disadvantage.
Despite the small buttons and remote, this model performs well. It has a sophisticated noise reduction technology, but it lacks the connectivity seen in some more recent models. The Sommer Direct-Drive is a good option if noise and vibration are your primary concerns.
2. SKYLINK Atoms ATR-1611C (on Amazon)
The ATOMS ATR-1611C is a chain drive opener in the traditional sense. It has a maximum power output of 0.5 HP. The noise reduction obtained from a chain drive system is the most intriguing aspect of this model. It outperforms a standard chain drive opener in terms of the noise level. You can barely hear the motor, and it repeatedly satisfies users with its quiet running.
In operation, the opener performs admirably. The build quality is questionable. Some components are composed of plastic on the inside, which helps to rationalize the low price. It has a built-in LED light and is Homelink compatible. It has a reasonable access point and is expandable with add-on functionality.
Separately available add-ons include a Wi-Fi hotspot (called Skylink Internet Hub). It connects to your Smart Home system and allows you to manage the door with your smartphone.
An entry pad with no keys is called Skylink Keyless KN-318. With a backup battery, this model does an incredible job of delivering great service while being quiet.
3. Chamberlain B970 (on Amazon)
A belt-driven garage door opener is the Chamberlain B970. It’s one of the most well-liked models available. It is primarily because of its dependability, large supplied power (1.25 HP), silence, and wireless capabilities. The B970 has nearly everything.
It has a battery backup, long-range remotes (up to 1500 feet), a control panel that detects motion to switch lights on, and built-in Wi-Fi that can be managed with the MyQ App.
This machine will handle any garage door because of the power it generates. Consumers were pleased with the quietness with which it operates.
In terms of all the included features and build quality, it’s a good value for money. This smart garage door opener, however, has some drawbacks.
You’ll have to spend extra money if you want to link it to your Smarthome system (such as Alexa or Google Home). Otherwise, the MyQ Software (a Chamberlain-only app) works great for controlling the device from a distance.
Another problem is that the opener works with ALL Homelink versions. Homelink only works with the latest versions (versions after 2012). The Wi-Fi connection was also a source of user complaints.
Low Wi-Fi signals would be difficult to detect. A Wi-Fi extender signal or ensuring that the Wi-Fi signal in the garage is strong enough could be solutions.
Why Is Your Garage Door Opener So Loud?
Chafing rollers, detached hardware, parts needing lubrication, or an opener in need of anti-vibration pads are all established reasons for noisy garage doors.
Below are some suggestions for making your garage door as quiet as possible.
Rollers, hinges, trails, and springs should be entirely oiled. Use solely metal-specific lubricants. Get an oil, apply it to the product and clean away any leftovers with a rag. Grease should not be used! When the metal pieces of a torsion spring system rub against each other, it can cause damage.
Make sure there are no loose screws by tightening all nuts and bolts. Examine the rollers and tracks to see whether they are damaged or worn. Keep in mind that rollers should roll inside the track rather than slip. Ensure that the tracks are also in the correct order.
Apply a small amount of oil to the garage door opener chain and the pinions at each end. If your opener is belt-driven, however, avoid putting anything on the rubber belt. Make sure the chain or belt is taut as well.
You can also install the noise insulators between the motor block and the slotted metal brace that connects the motor to the ceiling.