How to Deal With the Noise of Security Shutters Effectively

Security shutters protect your home and/or business from unwanted intruders. They are one of the best assets you could invest in. But there is one thing about them that is irritating. Noise.

The noise from your security shutters can drive you crazy. If you have kids or elders at home, the noise will make the situation worse. In your office, this noise can spoil your relationships with customers during meetings.

Why do security shutters make noise? What noise level can our ears tolerate? What can we do to tackle this noise?

You’ll get the answers to these questions throughout this blog. Let’s get started.

Reasons Why Security Shutters are Noisy

Residential security shutters for homes and commercial shutters will make some noise as they age, but there could be other reasons for the noise.

Motor parts in any equipment require lubrication to work properly. When the wheels, gears, and other moving metal parts are not well-lubricated, they become noisy. Lubrication not only softens the noise, but it also makes the motor work more efficiently. Motorized shutters make noise when their parts are loose, not in their proper locations, or are corroded.

Roller security shutters are constructed from roll-formed steel ‘slats’ that roll onto each other as the door opens. This creates a lot of metal on metal noise. The guides are made from bare metal, and the curtain sliding down into them also produces a loud screeching noise. The noise can also be the result of the vibration of metal against the metal of the roller shutter parts or loose rails.

There are many issues in older rollers because, over time, their slats will get stretched and cause the door to sag or ‘corkscrew’ as it rolls up. This puts an additional load on the motor and guides, making the noise louder.

Larger doors will expand with direct heat and cause binding and additional friction as the door operates. This will also cause a loud screeching noise as the door opens.

How Loud is Too Loud for Humans?

Let’s look at some facts and figures to compare the noise levels humans perceive.

• Breathing creates a sound of 10 decibels.
• Garbage disposals or drilling machines can be as loud as 80 to 85dB (twice as loud as 70dB and can cause hearing loss with 8 hours exposure).
• A Boeing 737 flying at 6080ft registers a noise of 97dB before landing.
• A motorcycle at 25ft records noise of 90dB and is four times as loud as 70dB.
• A riveting machine registers at 110 dB (the average human pain threshold is 16 times as loud as 70dB).
• A thunderclap and chain saw register at 120dB. It’s 32 times as loud as 70dB.
• A jet taking off at 25m registers 150dB with an effect of an eardrum rupture!

Source: Industrial Noise Control

Change in sound level and apparent loudness

Change in Sound level	Change in apparent loudness
3 decibels	just perceptible
5 decibels	clearly noticeable
10 decibels	half as loud
20 decibels	much quieter

Noise	Reduction in Decibels	Predicted subjective response
City traffic (10m from the curb)	4 decibels	just perceptible – clearly noticeable
Urban motorway (40m from the edge)	3 decibels	just perceptible
Jet airliner flying at 300m	6 decibels	clearly noticeable
Dishes being washed (kitchen)	10 decibels	perceived as half as loud
2 stroke whipper snippers at 7m	7 decibels	clearly noticeable
2 stroke lawnmower at 7m	4 decibels	just perceptible – clearly noticeable
Small dog barking at 5m	9 decibels	clearly noticeable – perceived half as loud

(Source for both the tables: Roller shutters)

After understanding the causes of noise and their noise levels, it’s time to learn the solution to this problem.

How Can We Deal With the Noise of Security Shutters?

There are many ways to fix the noise of security shutters. However, most of them require technical expertise. You can contact an authorized dealer to help you with the process.

Let’s look at some of the ways.

• Usually, intermediate slats are fitted with nylon slat clips. These keep the metal slat away from the guide and reduce noise. Check for any broken or missing pieces and replace them to reduce noise. This will also free up the operation of your door.
• You may check the guides for damage. Even a small dent in the guide can form a pinch point for the door travel, adding noise.
• Some shutters will respond to the lubrication of the guides. This can control the metal to metal wear and tear and noise. We recommend you contact your roller shutter service technician before using this technique.
• Check the spring tension on the door. An under-tensioned door will generate noise from the guides and motor as it operates under substantial load. Such a door is dangerous to operate.
• Keep an eye out for damaged slats. Sometimes, the door may have been hit and bent in the past and not properly straightened out. This causes additional friction and noise. You can easily replace the damaged slats, adding new life to an old door.

On An Ending Note

Noise cannot be eliminated completely in any security shutters. Regular maintenance and good operating practices are key to reducing their wear and tear. This will ultimately reduce noise. Rollac security shutters are designed to operate while making minimum noise. You also get a good after-sales service in case of any technical problems. Buy a security shutter for your home or office today!