When folks around Kitchener, Waterloo, or Cambridge reach out to us about a new garage door installation or garage door replacement, they’re usually looking forward to something quieter, smoother, and more efficient. So when that new door starts making more noise than the old one ever did, we get it, it’s frustrating. You’ve invested. It looks great. But every time it opens, the noise practically echoes through the neighbourhood.
You’re not imagining things. New garage doors can be noisier, but there’s a good reason for it, and even better news: there’s usually a simple fix. At AM Group Exteriors, we’ve helped homeowners all across the Tri-Cities get their peace back. Let’s walk through why this is happening, what might be causing it, and how we can help get things sorted.
So, Why Is Your New Garage Door Louder?
You might assume newer automatically means better, and it usually does. But in the case of noise, several key reasons might explain why your new setup sounds worse than the old one.
Here are the usual culprits:
1. Modern Doors Are Built Tighter — And That’s a Good Thing
Old garage doors often had worn-down rollers, loose hinges, and soft-opening mechanisms that made them sound softer, but only because they were wearing down. New garage doors, by contrast, have tighter connections, firmer hardware, and more powerful motors. They’re not louder because they’re faulty; they’re just more rigid.
2. Metal Parts vs. Plastic Components
Modern garage doors are often made with more durable, long-lasting metal parts, which can create more noise than older plastic ones. This includes things like:
- Metal rollers
- Heavy-duty hinges
- Reinforced tracks
These are all great for longevity, but they also carry vibrations that can lead to more sound if they’re not installed or maintained correctly.
3. Your Garage Itself Might Be Amplifying Sound
Every home is built a bit differently. Some older garages had wood framing or less insulation, which could absorb sound better. Newer, more energy-efficient builds with drywall and tight sealing bounce sound around, making the door sound louder even if it isn’t.
Let’s Talk About Garage Door Installation
We often see it: a garage door installed in a rush or without fine-tuning can lead to avoidable noise. Here in Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge, we’ve helped homeowners who had brand-new doors installed by other providers, only to be left with clanks and rattles.
Proper installation is about more than just getting the door up. It’s about making sure:
- The opener is the right size and power for the door’s weight
- The tracks are aligned correctly
- The hardware is tightened, but not overtightened
- The rollers match the rail system
If one of those factors is off, even slightly, your new garage door could sound like a freight train.
So, How Do You Fix It?
If you’re dealing with an unusually loud garage door, there’s no need to settle. Here are a few ways we help our clients quiet things down:
1. Switch to Nylon Rollers
Steel rollers are tough, but they’re also noisy. Nylon rollers, on the other hand, glide more quietly and reduce overall vibration.
2. Lubricate the Moving Parts
Even brand-new parts need lubrication. We always recommend using a silicone-based lubricant on:
- Hinges
- Springs
- Rollers
- Tracks
If it moves, it needs care. A quick maintenance routine every 6 months can make a massive difference.
3. Tighten or Replace Loose Hardware
Sometimes it’s just a matter of a few loose bolts or screws. Other times, we find that the hardware used during the garage door replacement wasn’t ideal. A quick tune-up can resolve most of these issues without requiring significant replacements.
4. Check the Garage Door Opener
Your opener might be overworked or not properly matched to your new door. That can cause strain and noise. We often recommend belt-driven openers, which run far quieter than traditional chain-driven ones.
Common Noises and What They Mean
| Noise Type | Possible Cause | Solution |
| Grinding or Screeching | Unlubricated rollers or tracks | Apply lubricant or replace with nylon rollers |
| Banging or Rattling | Loose hardware or misaligned tracks | Tighten bolts, realign tracks |
| Humming or Buzzing | The opener is struggling with the door weight | Check the opener capacity or switch to belt drive |
| Clicking or Popping | Expansion/contraction of metal in cold | Add insulation or rubber dampers |
Do You Live in Kitchener, Waterloo, or Cambridge?
Each home in our area is different. From newer builds in Waterloo to heritage homes in Cambridge, the structure and age of your garage will affect noise levels, too.
In older homes, there might be fewer vibration-dampening materials, or maybe the opener is too old to pair well with a new door. In new construction, we often find homeowners expecting total silence, which is reasonable, but sometimes not realistic without upgrades such as insulation and window replacement.
We’ve worked with individuals all over the region, not just to replace their garage doors, but also to enhance the overall ambiance of the space, making it warmer, quieter, and more secure.
More Than Just Garage Doors
While we spend a lot of time fixing and installing garage doors, we also handle windows and doors in Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge, Ontario. Why does that matter?
Because sound travels, if your garage is noisy, you might notice that it also travels into your house through outdated or improperly sealed doors and windows. A complete upgrade doesn’t just give you energy efficiency, it gives you peace.
What We Recommend at AM Group Exteriors
When someone comes to us with a noisy new garage door, we look at the whole picture. Not just the door, but:
- The type of opener they’re using
- The insulation of the garage
- The build of the home
- The wear on parts
- The surrounding doors and windows
That’s how we solve it, not just with one fix, but with the proper fix.
What You Can Do Right Now
If you’re not ready to bring someone in yet, try these first steps:
- Inspect the rollers: If they’re metal, consider switching to nylon.
- Lubricate all moving parts: Do this regularly, not just once.
- Examine your opener: If it’s chain-driven, that may be the issue.
- Listen closely: Is the sound coming from the tracks, the opener, or somewhere else?
And if you’re still stuck, that’s what we’re here for.
Let’s Bring the Quiet Back to Your Home
It’s no fun having a brand-new garage door that wakes up the whole house every time it opens. If you’re in Kitchener, Waterloo, or Cambridge, you’re not far from help. At AM Group Exteriors, we don’t just install garage doors. We listen to your concerns, we look closely, and we find the right solution.
Whether it’s a quick fix, a new opener, or an insulation upgrade, we’ll help make your garage door as quiet as it is beautiful. And if you’re also thinking about upgrading windows and doors in Kitchener-Waterloo or Cambridge, Ontario, we’ve got you covered there, too.
Reach out when you’re ready. We’re always just down the road.
FAQs
New garage doors are often made with steel or aluminium, which can transfer more noise compared to older wooden or fibreglass doors. Additionally, tighter hardware and modern openers can make the door system sound louder if not correctly adjusted.
Absolutely. Upgrades such as nylon rollers, belt-driven openers, and simple adjustments or lubrication can make a significant difference in noise reduction without requiring complete replacement.
Yes, colder temperatures in Southern Ontario can cause metal parts to contract, which can increase creaks, squeaks, and rattles. Regular seasonal maintenance can help manage this.
If most of the sound is coming from the ceiling or near the motor, your opener could be the issue, especially if it’s an older or chain-driven model. A professional inspection can help confirm this.
Yes, we proudly serve the entire Tri-Cities region, including all neighbourhoods in Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge. We know the local building styles and offer solutions tailored to each home.
