A garage is the best place where you can perform different things according to your needs. It is not a place where you sleep or relax, but still, you should soundproof your garage for other things.
The garage is usually used for storage or parking your vehicles, but at some point, you will have to do other tasks like repairing your car and DIY jobs there.
A garage is a versatile place and flexible for any changes. If you need to do band practice, record songs, arrange parties with friends, etc., you can do it in your garage.
Maybe you are suspicious about soundproofing a garage cheaply. But don’t worry, soundproofing a garage is easier than soundproofing other rooms in your home.
Here are fourteen ways to soundproof your garage so you can use this place for more than storing your things.
14 Ways to Soundproof a Garage
You should soundproof your garage just because of the space it offers. There are many reasons for soundproofing a garage, but it differs from one person to another. Some of these uses will make loud noises that may disturb your neighbors or family.
If you are using your garage as an office, you want to prevent external noises. So the aim of soundproofing your garage is to keep it quiet.
First, you should decide the garage’s purpose to determine how to soundproof. It will help you to know which noise you are blocking, either the noise is entering or leaving the room.
For example, if you are using the space for band practice, you should block noise from going out, and If it’s your office, you should prevent noises from entering.
Here are fourteen different methods to use while soundproofing a garage. First, you should determine the purpose of your garage, the type of noise that occurs, etc.
After considering essential factors like time and budget, you can choose one method or more to get the best soundproofing results.
Install Insulation
When it comes to soundproofing your garage, insulation is one of the easiest methods. It will increase STC, reduce outside noises efficiently, and provide an R-value to minimize heat gain and heat loss along with noise reduction.
There are different types of insulation, such as fiberglass, spray foam, and cellulose insulation. You can consider insulation for all areas in your garage, which includes the garage door, garage walls, garage floors, and your garage ceiling.
Seal Gaps
Sealing gaps in your structure are the best way to start a soundproofing task. Likewise, the heat and sound do the same in case of gaps. Even a little gap can be an efficient path for sound transmission, and noise will enter and leave these spaces.
Using soundproof sealants to seal the gaps is the only method to prevent this transmission. You can use adhesives such as green glue etc., and do it yourself by filling it inside the gaps. Give more attention to the case of window frames and doors.
Also, you can fit weather stripping around the doors and windows and use door sweep to seal the bottom of the door, effectively reducing gaps and noise traveling through them.
Hang Soundproof Blankets On Walls and Windows
Hanging heavy soundproof blankets can help soundproof a garage and deaden the noise when noise hits it. This method is very effective.
Heavy blankets are dense and have many layers; when sound passes through each layer, it gets absorbed and deadened. Soundproofing blankets are available with grommets, so they are easier to hang. You need to install hooks along the garage walls to hang the blankets.
These blankets boost SRC and NRC rating effectively, which means they work to improve the acoustic status of a room.
Soundproof blankets are available in decor stores and online stores at an affordable rate.
Build a Room Inside the Garage
Room inside a room. Yes, it simply means building a room inside your room. This is, of course, the best method you can choose in case of soundproofing. The cost will be comparatively higher, but the effect will be significant.
Here you are doing wall multiplying, adding more layers of the wall. Each layer that you add will significantly increase the soundproofing capability.
All you need for this method are drywall and wooden pallets. First, you are removing the existing drywall and building another one detached from the current frame for making a new room.
By this method, you are decoupling the outer wall and inner wall, and thus you are reducing the contact points and sound transfer between them.
Drywall will absorb high-frequency sound waves and prevent them from escaping. You can also provide additional fiberglass insulation for more effectiveness.
Add Resilient Channels and Isolation Clips
Adding resilient channels can improve the effectiveness of decoupling among the walls. Decoupling means adding another wall or layer to the existing one with minimum contact, which will efficiently help to soundproof. It’s not a simple DIY project; sometimes, you need professional help.
Resilient channels and isolation clips absorb all vibrations coming to the wall and prevent the noise from traveling outside.
They are fixed inside the framing, which will assist in decoupling. You can choose this option when you have enough budget for decoupling. You can use resilient channels, isolation clips alone, or both for efficient results.
Fit Acoustic Foam Panels
This method will help decrease the amount of noise leaving the garage. It is excellent, especially if you use your garage as a recording studio, jam rooms, etc.
Position them on the walls or on the roof. It will prevent loud noises from different sources and amplify them inside your garage. This method alone can’t soundproof your garage. But it will play a significant role in the improvement of the quietness of your space.
Acoustic foam panels are cheaper and can reduce echo by a significant amount. Absorbing sound waves is essential when you are soundproofing an entire garage.
Insulate The Ceiling
Soundproofing the garage ceiling is necessary only if you have a room above the garage. Otherwise, you can leave it free.
If you can see ceiling joists, attaching some insulation into the gaps is easy. This method will help reduce the noise, and it will reduce the echo..
Installing layers with thick materials is suitable for this purpose. You can use mineral wool insulation or fiberglass insulation.
Isolate The Garage Door Opener
Maybe you have an automatic garage door, and you may have noticed that sometimes it makes a loud noise when it opens.
The opening mechanism may be fixed with ceiling joists. During opening and closing, it will transmit vibrations into the garage space and cause noise all through. This can be solved by installing garage door opener isolation kit.
You can easily buy door opener isolation kits from nearby furniture, decor stores, or online stores cheaply. Their installation and use are also simple.
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Hang Heavy Soundproof Curtains
Installing heavy soundproof curtains can be the best for soundproofing a garage, and it is very thick that helps dampen the sound. Soundproof curtains are one of the easiest and cheapest soundproofing techniques.
These curtains also have a lot of pores on the surface, which will absorb and deaden sound waves.
Choose your favorite curtain according to color and design. But most importantly, you should check the density and quality of the curtain. Then install them on your windows, doors, or walls, and they will prevent loud noises.
Adding MLV Sheet or Other Mass to The Door
Adding an MLV sheet is not much cheaper, but it has money-worth soundproofing qualities, improving the STC and attenuating the excess noise.
It will prevent all kinds of noises and give you a better result with its density. Use MLV to swivel garage doors, and rolling doors may have difficulty opening and closing when mlv is applied to them.
If you are choosing this method, don’t forget to use vinyl cement to stick it. And also, seal all the gaps in the edges of vinyl with acoustic sealant.
You can also use automotive sound-deadening mats with sound absorbing and sound-blocking properties and a sticky surface. So it is straightforward to install.
Lay Foam Mats
Lay foam mats are beneficial for the soundproofing of garage floors. They are less expensive and also have an excellent capacity to dampen noise vibration before passing to the floor.
Suppose you are soundproofing the garage for workout or drum purposes. This method will be the best. In such cases, if you don’t want to cover the whole floor, you can use anti-vibration pads suitable for workbenches.
Soundproof The Garage Floors
Soundproofing garage floors are also important as other parts. Otherwise, the sound will bounce from the floors. You can try different methods to soundproof your garage floors.
Adding an old carpet is the cheapest and easiest method. Otherwise, you can buy a soundproof mat at an affordable cost. It would help to put something soft on the floor to absorb noise.
You can also install an underlay for the best results. The best option is acoustic underlay which will work more effectively.
Staggered Stud
Staggered stud wall construction is an effective way to soundproof a garage. You will have to replace the existing frame with another 6-inch frame where the studs are staggered.
An air Cavity will form when conducting a staggered stud wall, which plays a significant role in sound isolation. A little space can do a lot in soundproofing, and the small air cavity will increase the soundproofing capacity.
Double Wall Construction
This method is similar to the room within a room method with a slight difference. This method is also the basis of decoupling. But here, less decoupling is used. Structural stability will not change due to the new construction.
Space occupied by drywall will be lesser compared to space used for room within a room construction. But it will not be effective as room within a room. If you don’t want to change the structural stability, you can use this method instead of the room within the room method.
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Final Thoughts
In this article, we have discussed 14 soundproofing methods to soundproof a garage. Soundproofing requirements will vary from person to person according to their needs, space, and budget, and therefore solutions also vary.
Not all solutions are costly or need more effort, some are simple, and some are difficult but will give you the best results. So choose the solution for you from the list. As the answers for each requirement differ, selecting a solution depends on you.
Anyway, here you got some best and most valuable techniques for soundproofing a garage. Now you can easily record a song and play your drums, whatever you need in your garage without worrying about neighbors or other family members.
Using several solutions from this DIY guide, you can indeed reduce the noise transmission inside your garage. These methods will keep your surroundings quiet as you want.