Garages have multiple uses. The most common is storage for vehicles but they can also be used as a workshop, a painting studio, a personal gym, a recording studio, or just a place for your kids and their friends to hang out. If your garage is used for any of those, then you may want to look into soundproofing it. A soundproof garage is beneficial to both you and those on the outside. It gives them silence and keeps your activities private. You can scream for no reason if you want.
Two Types of Garage Sounds
One of the easiest sounds that can permeate a garage to control is airborne noise. This is sound. Voices, music, and noises made from tools that travel outside the garage. You can easily not talk as loud but where’s the fun in that. The sound your tools make you can’t fully control so you have to limit when you use them.
The other is structure-borne noise. This noise comes from your garage interacting with outside forces. Footsteps and moving furniture are internal noises. External noises include outside influences touching garage doors such as rain, sleet, hail or children playing too close. You can only stop some of these noises. Children being the hardest to control. It’s best to just soundproof a garage rather than fight the forces of tiny humans.
Effective Ways to Soundproof a Garage
Soundproofing a garage can come in many ways. Many aim for trapping the sound in but you can also prevent outside sound from coming in. Insulation is the most popular form of soundproofing. There are other seals and methods that can be used specifically for garages.
Insulating the garage door is a great way to start the soundproof process. You’ll have to purchase insulation from any home construction store and attach it to your doors. This will trap the sound from echoing against the metallic garage door. If you have a roll up garage door, the insulation works the same. You just need to make sure that you do not cover any joints or moving parts. The garage door should be able to operate as normal with insulation.
- Install acoustic foam panels along the wall. Though not as acoustic as a metal door, the walls of a garage can cause echoes and amplify sound. Foam panels are commonly used for gamers and musicians so they will work wonders in a garage. Be sure to remove all items from the walls before adding panels. Exposed walls can alter the effects of soundproofing.
- Be sure to seal any gaps. Cracks, holes, or gaps in doors can allow sound to escape. There are special sealants for closing gaps for soundproofing. Acoustic caulk is a common item but there are other options such as tape. You can purchase them at any home construction store.
- For a quick fix or constantly changing space, you can use sound deadening blankets. They do not work as well as soundproofing the whole garage but it’s great when you need to take them up and down quickly. This is not a permanent solution but if you just need to soundproof the garage for a weekend, this can help without having to completely redo your garage.
- Insulating the walls, gap sealant, and adding foam panels are great to soundproof your garage. You can practice with your band or throw parties for sports events and not disturb your neighbors. These methods will prevent your house from becoming “that house” in the neighborhood. For more tips and information, check out the other stories on our website.
Frequently Asked Question
Can you have a fully soundproof garage?
No, you can not fully soundproof a garage. You can do everything right but there will always be a margin for error because sound travels by air.
Does soundproofing work for both ways?
Yes it does. Soundproofing your garage internally can also prevent external sounds from getting in. It will still be beneficial if you take external soundproofing measures.
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