Garage Door Is Loud When It's Cold Outside? (We Have A Fix)

Stacy Randall
by Stacy Randall

Often, we don’t notice how loud our garage doors can be until we try to close them late at night. It’s never ideal to wake the neighbors when you come home late. Not to mention your kids who have finally gone to bed.

However, some people don’t know that the cold can actually damage a garage door. Cold weather can cause the garage door opener to strain, and it will eventually break. If the garage door makes a loud squeaking or grinding noise, the problem may be with the rollers.

Before winter approaches, you have time to take precautions. These precautions will prevent any damage to the garage door and manage to keep it quiet. Luckily, most of the steps you can take are rather cheap solutions.

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Prevent Garage Door Problems This Winter

If there is a way to prevent things from popping up, it is always worth a shot. There are a few things you can do to help reassure that your garage door opens all winter.

It’s better to take a little time to do it while it’s warm out than when it gets below freezing. Taking the time to prevent these issues now can also manage to save money in the long run. Replacing pieces to garage doors can get pricey.

Neglecting to handle the situation can cause other parts to wear out as well. This can also lead to a higher cost for the solution. Plus, it can lead to a more time-consuming job.

Use the Right Lubricant

Using the proper lubricant is a relatively simple way to prevent issues this winter. Lubricant can build up in unwanted areas, especially in the cold. This build-up will make it hard to open the door.

Instead of using the usual WD-40, try using a silicone-based lubricant. The silicone will help prevent any unnecessary build-ups of lubricant. Silicone is also a more efficient route.

You can typically find silicone-based lubricant anywhere from $6 to $10. A few good examples of lubricant would be the 3 in 1 professional garage door lubricant or blaster premium. Both types are made specifically for garage doors and are silicone-based.

Regularly oil all parts of the door to prevent damage. Applying a silicone lubricant can help make the garage door quieter. Silicone is also known to last longer than WD-40 or other related products.

Check the Garage Door Tracks

In harsh, cold weather, metal tends to warp. Make sure that the tracking system is completely aligned. In other words, ensure that there isn’t any warped metal. Warped metal tends to look like the metal is peeling. Eventually, this peeling will result in rust. If rust goes untreated, the patch will spread.

If the tracks are only slightly warped, then lubricant may fix it. However, that would only be a short term solution, and you should have a professional take a look at some point.

If the door is not opening or closing all the way, that means the door is off the tracks. To use the garage door again, you will need to align the tracks. If the tracks are not aligned properly, that may also be a factor in the noise.

Make Sure All the Hardware Is Working

Just like any other appliance that you use, time wears down parts and hardware. This will ultimately create more garage door problems. Just be sure to look over parts, and replace or repair any broken elements.

Make sure when checking the hardware that you take a look at the roller bearings. Roller bearings tend to need replacement before any other part of the garage door. Roller bearings made of nylon are a good investment, as they take less lubricant and are quieter.

Additionally, if the garage door uses a cable system, you want to check that as well. Make sure that none of it has frayed or corroded through the protective coating. If you see these signs, grab a vinyl-coated cable to replace it. If you were to have a professional replace the cable for you, it would cost approximately $130 to $200. However, the cable costs $20 to $30. As you can see, it would be cheaper to replace the cable on your own.

Consider Installing a Metal Seal

Weather seals store heat inside of the garage. You can also use them to keep small rodents such as rats out of your garage. Plus, weather seals can be a great way to save money on the electric bill.

A Closer Look at a Garage Door Opener

The garage door opener is a motorized device made to open and close garage doors. Switches on the garage wall control the opener. However, most of them come with a hand-held remote as well. Unfortunately, if lubricant does not solve the problem, the only solution is to replace the garage door opener.

Having a professional replace the garage door opener will cost you approximately $80 to $110. That will not include the $150 to $200 you need to spend on the part. By eliminating the middleman and doing it yourself, you will save money.

Replace the Garage Door Opener

Replacing a garage door opener may sound intense; however, you can do it in a few easy steps. Just remember, concentration is essential when replacing the garage door opener. You will be working with heavy components, which can cause injuries.

Tools Needed for the Job:

  • Screw Gun 
  • Adjustable wrench
  • Garage door opener kit. You can find this kit at any home improvement store for roughly $150 to $200. It will also come with the majority of the parts you need to replace the garage door opener. 

Step One: Shut Off All Power

Turn the power off at the circuit panel. Under no circumstance should you leave the power on. It is better to be safe than to have the door turn on while you are underneath it.

Step Two: Remove the Current Garage Door Opener

Unplug the existing garage door opener, and loosen the brackets that are securing it to the ceiling. Gently lower the garage door opener to the ground.

Step Three: Install the Bracket, Track and Motor

Use the open-ended adjustable wrench to loosen the brackets. Remove the bracket that is on the door, then remove the bracket that is on the floor. Be sure to keep the wrench close by, as you will be using it again. Use a screw gun to install the new bracket that comes with the garage door opener. This will go above the garage door.

Slide the track into the bracket and secure it with the wrench. Screw the new motor into the existing brackets in the ceiling using the wrench. Make sure to give the wrench an extra twist to ensure that it is secure.

Step Four: Connect Lifting Arm

Connect the lifting arm from the garage door to the track. The lifting arm should be easy to pop into place.

Step Five: Wire the Keypad to the Garage Door and Mount the Keypad

Wire the keypad into the wall on the inside of the garage. Now you need to run the wire through a conduit and connect it to the garage door opener. The inside keypad can be found in any kit that you purchase.

Use the screw gun to mount the wireless keypad on the outside of the garage. Keep in mind that not all kits will come with two keypads. If this is the case, disregard the keypad for the outside of the garage.

Step Six: Mount the Electric and Restore Power

On the inside of the garage, mount the electric eyes about 6 inches from the floor. Plug the monitor into an outlet, and turn the power back on. Test the garage door by opening and closing it a few times.

Once you replace the garage door opener, ensure you take the necessary precautions to keep it working smoothly. It will be challenging to prevent the garage door from getting louder during the cold weather, but not impossible.


Related Questions

How often should I lubricate my garage door?

Ideally, it would be best if you lubricated your garage door every three months. However, professionals recommend lubricating them every six weeks in harsher weather. 


What is the average lifespan of a garage door opener?

A reliable garage door opener should last about ten years. However, with proper maintenance and care, it is possible to get fifteen years out of the garage door opener. 


How do I properly take care of my garage door to get a longer lifespan out of it?

To properly care for your garage door, you want to take all precautions possible to prevent potential issues. Inspect your garage door regularly and ensure you perform routine maintenance. You should also resolve a problem as soon as you notice it to prevent things from becoming worse. 

Do You Need Garage Installation or Replacement Services?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

Peace and Quiet

Once you apply lubricant or replace the garage door opener, your garage door should sound quiet despite the cold. Now, you won’t have to worry about waking up the neighborhood on those late nights.

Stacy Randall
Stacy Randall

Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.

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