It’s essential to install a safe, secure and reliable garage door opener, but the noise level is an important consideration as well, especially if you have an attached garage. Learn which garage door opener is quietest so you can make the best investment for your home.
Types of Garage Door Openers
There are three primary types of garage door openers:
- Chain drive: This is the most commonly installed type of garage door opener. In fact, it was the first automatic opener ever made. It uses a rugged metal chain to push or pull the trolley that lifts the door up and down. Chain drive openers are inexpensive, reliable and capable of raising garage doors weighing 500 pounds or more. However, they tend to operate quite loudly.
- Belt drive: The mechanism used to open a belt drive garage door opener is similar to a chain drive, but it moves the trolley with a steel-reinforced belt made of rubber, fiberglass or polyurethane instead of a metal chain. Belt drives offer smooth, fast and quiet operation.
- Screw drive: This type of garage door opener uses a rotating steel rod resembling a giant screw to move the trolley that lifts and lowers the door. There tend to be fewer components in a screw drive opener, resulting in low maintenance and a long lifespan. There are even special models available that open the door twice as fast. Unfortunately, screw drive garage door openers are often quite noisy.
AC vs. DC Motors
The power source for a garage door opener also affects how loud it operates. DC is better than AC from a noise standpoint because DC motors vary their opening and closing force to start and stop the door more gently, which makes for quieter cycles. DC motors also consume less energy and are compatible with backup batteries.
Why Quiet Garage Door Openers Are Best
If you have an attached garage, you don’t want to disrupt activities in the living space every time someone opens and closes the garage door. This is especially true if a family member works odd hours and has to leave during the early hours of the morning.
If you live in a duplex or condo with a garage, the vibration of a noisy garage door opener might even disturb the neighbors. All attempts at building a rapport with them will go out the window if you repeatedly wake their sleeping baby with your noisy garage door opening and closing.
The only benefit of a loudly operating garage door is if you have teenagers who tend to stay out later than their curfew. Only then do you want to be alerted when the garage door is opening!
The Quietest Garage Door Openers
A belt drive garage door opener that runs on DC power is the quietest option out there. These are widely available and very affordable, on average costing only slightly more than drive chain openers.
It’s also possible to find a chain drive garage door opener that operates quietly. The trick is to choose a model with vibration isolation to keep the noise level to a minimum.
Install Quiet Garage Door Openers in Cincinnati
A reliable garage door depends on a reliable opener. If your primary concern is to keep the noise level down, let Overhead Door Co. of Greater Cincinnati™ help you choose from among our selection of quiet garage door openers for your home. We offer belt drive, chain drive and screw drive openers to meet your needs.
To learn more about installing garage door openers, please contact us today!
