Making garage door opening quieter?

[duneslider]

Hey all, I am looking for some feedback on making my garage door and opener quieter when opening and closing. To start off, I feel like it is pretty darn quiet already. The issue is that we have a kids bedroom above this part of the garage and at night you can hear the door open and close. This may not be able to be completely removed but if improvements can be made that would be great. Just looking for some feedback and suggestions.

I have a liftmaster 87504. It is a great opener and is very quiet. I bought these isolators that go between the opener and the angles but as soon as I put the weight on them they seemed to sag so much I was worried they wouldn't last and would break.

This is a picture of what they look like but this is not my install. I didn't leave them on due to being concerned with how much they seemed to deform. Was I worried about nothing? Has anyone used these and had success with them? I just felt like the rubber was too soft and was going to tear eventually.

The reality is the door does go up and down pretty quiet and I don't know if I can get it any better. Any other suggestions for making everything a little quieter?
I keep it lubed well so that is all good.

 

[marak]

I have fond memories of hearing dad use the radial arm saw and hearing the air compressor kick on after bedtime when I was young. Keeping things quiet can be beneficial, but learning how to sleep with some noise present can also be beneficial.

 

[dcg9381]

You've got a belt opener, they're about as quiet as you can get. My jackshaft opener is probably louder than a belt opener as you hear a "slam" when it locks itself.

Never seen anyone do rubber isolators, sounds like a decent idea. Problem is that rubber wears out.

Like others, I don't want my garage door to be "too quiet". But likely you've got MyQ that tells you if someone opens that door.

 

[duneslider]

You've got a belt opener, they're about as quiet as you can get. My jackshaft opener is probably louder than a belt opener as you hear a "slam" when it locks itself.

Never seen anyone do rubber isolators, sounds like a decent idea. Problem is that rubber wears out.

Like others, I don't want my garage door to be "too quiet". But likely you've got MyQ that tells you if someone opens that door.

Yes, like I said, nothing is loud by any means! It is much quieter than I have ever experienced anyplace else. The wife wanted it to be quieter and I like tinkering. I think once I get an idea in my head I want to see what is possible, it becomes a challenge. It certainly isn't loud enough to wake up a child sleeping but if I open it right after they go to bed I can see them looking out the window to see what I am doing. Still not a big deal though.

Yes, the myQ automatically closes at night should it be open and I do get an alert if it opens and it has cameras.

My working area is more over in the 3rd car area of the garage and sound from there doesn't seem to cause much issue. I think the noise is more of a vibration from the door/opener.

 

[65ranchero]

I have seen rubber exhaust hangers used in a similar manner, using the the strap to replace the vertical metal angle.
All it is a old tire cut up in to strips.
Look up rubber exhaust straps/hangers or go to a good AP store and they may even have some on the shelf or can be looked up in the exhaust book.

 

[racecougar]

That style isolator is intended for use in a compression application, not in shear.

 

[tom86951]

If you have not yet switched to nylon rollers in the door rails, that's a must. They eliminate a lot of the 'racket' made by the old metal roller wheels.

 

[36smash]

You need to use very dense rubber or horse stall mat to isolate the opener from the punched angle. We do something similar on apartment buildings with underground parking to keep tenants right above the door happy. The same can be done on the horizontal track back hangs. Make sure your door has nylon rollers as well.

 

[drx2]

Try putting the isolator between the angle iron and ceiling. Would absorb the vibration and still be in compression

 

[nadogail]

In addition to isolating the vibration of the rails from the building and changing the rollers to nylon. Is your door insulated? Insulated doors are inherently quiet because the drumhead effect of the light weight metal panels has been dampened out. Light weight foam panels glued to the door can eliminate or at least reduce the “oil can” effect of thin metal panels.

 

[Walkers]

Would installing a jackshaft operator get the unit out from under the bedroom?

 

[racecougar]

Try putting the isolator between the angle iron and ceiling. Would absorb the vibration and still be in compression

If you go that route, be certain to utilize overlapping brackets to place the isolator in compression and NOT in tension.

 

[jkuro]

Suggestions:
Replace Insulation

SAFE'n'SOUND Sound Proof Insulation | ROCKWOOL

ROCKWOOL SAFE'n'SOUND® sound proof insulation is a stone wool insulation product for use in interior wall partitions of residential wood and steel stud construction.

www.rockwool.com

Replace Drywall

QuietRock

Stop Noise Increase Architectural Freedom Learn how these iconic sound reducing panels can improve your project.

www.quietrock.com

Replace carpet pad

Soundproofing Carpet | Carpet Underlay for Noise Cancellation | Sound Insulation Rugs

At Sound Isolation Company, our products for soundproofing carpeted floors will provide significant reduction in footstep noise and block loud noises from above and below.

www.soundisoco.com

 

[mike93lx]

There is no way that a properly installed belt drive opener is loud enough to disturb kids.

If you make it too quiet, how will they get away with sneaking out later?

 

[BSWS]

This isn't a practical solution but it's something to think about. I believe it was in the early 1980s when a customer gave me a demonstration of his garage door. There was almost no noise aside from the hum of the motor on the opener. His tracks were white pipe that I'd swear was PVC. The door was attached to it with u-shaped PVC glides. It was ridiculously smooth and quiet. This old guy said he got it so he could sneak out at night. I just searched for this and only found one mention of an aluminum track that looks very similar. This one said it was available in the 90s so it may have been an improvement over PVC. Or maybe not, since it doesn't seem to be available anymore. With all the talent we have at GJ, someone here should perfect this idea and get it going. There's probably a lot of us that would like to sneak out at night. https://www.howtolookatahouse.com/Blog/Entries/2018/6/why-is-the-garage-door-track-a-white-tube.html

 

[no704]

You will need to set up a couple of microphones and an amp n speakers to make a noise canceling system!

 

[toolmiser]

I remember Tom Silva on a back edition of Ask This Old House going thru steps to quiet an opener. Might be worth a google search.

 

[Dogmeat]

Just tell yer precious little kiddies to put earplugz in their over-sensitive ears and GO TO SLEEP, DAMMIT!!