Last updated: February 13, 2023 at 10:39 am
It’s normal for doors to rattle when they open and close. The slight adjustments in position, as well as the spring or extension-spring motor, can all cause a little noise. But if rattling is coming from the wind blowing, it’s a different story. This is often caused by gaps in the door, which you should be able to fix with a few tools.
Other things can cause a garage door to rattle in the wind. But before we dive into how you can stop a garage door from rattling in the wind, let’s look at what causes rattling in the first place.
IN THIS ARTICLE
How to Fix Garage Door Rattling in Wind
It’s not like the wind is going to stop blowing. But how do we stop the rattling that’s causing annoying outdoor noise?
There are several ways you can do this, but with a little bit of work, you can make your garage door a little quieter. Here are some ideas:
1. Weather Stripping
The first step is to add weather stripping around your garage door. If your weatherstripping is old and has worn off, it might be causing the rattle in the first place.
If the weather stripping isn’t doing its job, you can apply silicone spray on both sides of the rubber to make it stickier. The great thing about this method is that it helps keep out cold air and bugs while reducing noise.
Here’s how to install it:
- Use a utility knife to cut pieces that are 1/8 inch shorter than the width of the door panels
- Remove any old weather stripping from each panel and clean the surface
- Apply a polyurethane construction adhesive to each panel at the top and bottom edges where the weather seal will go
- Press the weather seal into place along the bottom edge of each panel
- Press the seal into place along the top edge of each panel
- Make sure all sections are secure and let dry for at least 24 hours before using your garage door
Also read: How to Soundproof a Garage: Cheaply
2. Install Garage Door Brace
Garage door wind braces are designed to absorb the wind’s force, thereby reducing the rattling sound. These braces can be used for both standard and high wind resistance doors. In addition, it will increase the stability of your garage door and ensure that it opens and closes smoothly.
Garage door wind braces are designed to absorb the wind’s force, thereby reducing the rattling sound. They come in two parts: one piece is attached to your garage door, while the second piece is attached to the garage door frame.
Most garage door wind braces are made of metal, and as such, they can be adjusted to fit your application. For example, if you have a single-car garage with a one-piece metal garage door that weighs less than 600 pounds, you’ll likely want to purchase a metal wind brace made for single-door garages.
However, if you have a double-car garage or a one-piece wooden garage door, you should look for a metal wind brace made for larger doors.
3. Lubricate Moving Parts
There are several moving parts in your garage door that need lubrication to reduce noise and maintain functionality. Those moving parts include rollers, hinges, pulleys, torsion springs, and cables.
For example, when you have squeaky hinges or stiff rollers they’ll cause additional noise when opening or closing your garage door. Before applying any lubricant, you must clean these parts first with a cloth that is soaked in a cleaning agent such as paint thinner or mineral spirits.
After they have been thoroughly cleaned, apply a light coating of oil-based lubricant to help prevent rusting and squeaking.
When lubricating any moving part in your garage door, use white lithium grease or silicone spray. You can also use a motor oil that has a viscosity of 20 weight for more rust-free lubrication.
4. Extra Layers of Insulation
One way to cut down on the noise of a rattling garage door is by adding another layer of insulation. This will help absorb and diffuse any sounds coming from outside while also helping keep your home warmer during the winter months.
If you’re going to insulate a garage, it’s best to do so at the beginning of construction. All the wiring, and plumbing can be run through insulated walls. But if you’re adding insulation to an existing garage, there are two ways to do it:
You can either add insulation to the inside of your garage or the backside of your door. Typically, people insulate their garages from the inside. The exception is if you’ve already done major electrical work on your garage and don’t want to mess with it again.
Be sure to check with a local tradesman before beginning this process as any additional weight on your garage door could cause problems down the road.
5. Track Adjustment
If you’ve tried everything else and are still experiencing trouble, you might need to adjust the tracks for your garage door. If one side is looser than another, it could be causing problems with balance and alignment
Adjustable tracks are now widely available everywhere. The best way to stop your garage door from rattling in the wind is by adjusting the tracks. This is a very easy procedure that can be done by anyone and does not require any tools at all.
If you have adjustable tracks, you can adjust them by hand with just a little bit of force. If you do not have adjustable tracks, you may want to consider replacing them with ones that do allow for adjustments easily made by hand without any tools needed at all.
6. Tighten Door Parts
A garage door’s hinges should be adjusted to ensure that they are not loose. Adjustment screws can be tightened if the garage door is not on a level. Use a wrench to tighten the screws and bolts on hinges and brackets if they are loose.
If this doesn’t solve the problem, then you may need to tighten or replace the cables that connect the door to its springs. However, this is a delicate operation and should only be undertaken by a professional unless you are confident in your ability to do so safely.
What Causes Garage Door to Rattle in Wind?
Garage doors are made from metal and sheet metal will vibrate or resonate when it is placed under tension. When the wind blows with enough force, it causes a garage door to vibrate.
There are many reasons why a garage door rattles. Let’s look at some common ones:
Poor Construction
Some garage doors are constructed with poor-quality materials. This can lead to poor support and instability which, in turn, causes the door to shake or move when exposed to wind gusts.
Lack of Maintenance
This is common if you have never had your garage door serviced or maintained by professionals. Another reason for this is if you have not been careful about replacing parts that have worn out after repeated use over several years.
Garage doors have springs, cables, and pulleys that will wear down and break over time if not serviced properly.
Unbalanced Springs
Having unbalanced springs will make your garage door unstable and cause it to rattle a lot more than usual when exposed to strong winds. This can be due to springs that have lost their tension or if the garage door has been taken off of the tracks, then put back on incorrectly.
A professional garage door company will be able to adjust your springs, ensuring that your garage door is balanced and does not rattle in the wind.
Loose Garage Door
Is one of the more common causes of rattling in the wind and even when opening or closing. When there is too much play between the rollers, hinges, and tracks, the door will move around more than it should. This usually happens when the garage door rollers aren’t aligned properly.
Fortunately, this is an easy fix!
Worn Out Weatherstripping
If your weatherstripping is old and worn out, it won’t absorb as much sound as a new strip would. While this may not be as critical as loose parts, it’s still a good idea to replace it now and then – especially if you want to avoid noise pollution from your home to your neighbours.
Conclusion
Garage door springs are an important part of your garage door. To keep them in good working order, you must be aware of a few things. Most importantly, remember to always make sure the track is clean and clear of any debris.
If this isn’t done regularly, the winds can get channelled through the track, meaning they can affect the functioning of your springs. So, watch out for that, and always make sure your garage door is left in good working order.
