Soundproofing your garage is beneficial whether you use it as a work space, band rehearsal room, or a recording studio. Noise coming from the garage can disturb not only other rooms in your own home, but also your neighbors. Read on for soundproofing solutions that can help reduce the noise in your garage.
Below we’ll go over how to soundproof a garage, but here’s a high level overview:
The first step to soundproofing a space is making sure all gaps or cracks are sealed with a caulk or sealant. This drastically decreases the amount of sound that seeps into the room. This acoustical sealant is especially made for soundproofing flanking paths in walls, especially around penetrations such as outlets and light switches.
In a garage, there are at least 2 or 3 main areas where sound would be the most likely to escape:
While sound can escape from these areas, it can also get in through these areas. This is especially a problem if you use your garage as recording area because outside sounds getting in can impact the quality of your recordings.
If noise from your garage is seeping into the rest of your home, considering soundproofing the door from the garage to the home. This can be done by first installing door seals or sweeps. Door seals are placed around the perimeter of the door, sealing it so that no sound can leak through. Door sweeps are installed under the door, closing the gap between the door and the floor so that noise cannot travel under it.
If weather stripping along with a door sweep doesn’t provide you with enough sound reduction you may need to go a step further. Another option for soundproofing the door into the house (if it’s not your only point of exit during a fire) is installing a soundproof door cover. Before purchasing a door cover, check if it has an STC rating, which is the number that will tell you how much sound it’s proven to block.
In order to add mass to your thin, metal garage door, as well as closing up some gaps, you’ll want to line the garage door with Mass Loaded Vinyl. This will help keep sound from leaking out, especially if you cover the seams between the different sections of the door.
Use a 1 lb/sf mass loaded vinyl, as it works across a larger range of frequencies compared to 1/2 lb/sf vinyls. Fasten it in sections to the door using acrylic based vinyl tape, or a pressure sensitive adhesive. Be sure to use smaller pieces (sealing seams with seam seal tape) so that they aren’t too heavy to be help up by the tape or adhesive you choose.
If your use for the garage also requires echo reduction (mostly for recording) then you should also treat the garage with acoustic wall panels. These will help to absorb the echo or reverb that may have a negative impact on the recording quality.
Some people do have windows within their garage, and glass is a very easy material for sound to get through. If you want to avoid complaints from your neighbors then you should also cover the windows with mass loaded vinyl. For loud band practices or music recording, a 1 lb/sf vinyl should do the trick – just cover the entire window (with overlap) and fasten the vinyl to the wall with a nail or staple gun.
If you’re just recording a podcast, or something not quite so loud, then 1/2 lb/sf MLV soundproof curtains should do the trick. They’ll help to block out any outside noises, such as traffic, that could come through in your recordings.
No matter what you choose to use your garage for, you should be able to soundproof it. Whether you want to avoid disturbing your neighbors, or want to produce quality recording, we’re here to help you follow the most effective soundproofing practices.
When you think of acoustical absorption panels, you may picture the standard 2'x4' that you'd…
It's the peak of the summer season, so not only are temperatures getting high and…
With environmental issues becoming increasingly critical, it is crucial to use sustainable materials in all…
In a few months, we will be welcoming the summer season which means gorgeous weather,…
Happy daylight savings! You may be feeling inspired to have a BBQ out in the…
Whether you're an aspiring musician or you're just trying to learn some tunes in your…