How To Soundproof A Garage

Besides packing a car in your garage, there are several things you can accomplish in there. The garage is one of the safest places to accomplish most of your solo projects. That’s why; it’s common to find people converting their garages into offices, studios or workshops. Depending on what you want to do, noise is one of the common challenges you’ll face. You wouldn’t want to clash with your neighbors every day. So, soundproofing may be a necessity. Soundproof a garage gives you that serenity you need to do your things without disturbing others.

Fortunately, there are many ways you can soundproof your garage without breaking the bank. You can choose to soundproof your room in phases instead of doing the entire room at once. You can also pick affordable materials and going the DIY route instead of hiring a professional. If you’re struggling to contain noise in your garage, we are here for you. We’ll give all the necessary information you need to soundproof your garage and within a low budget.

Methods Of Soundproof A Garage

As mentioned earlier, you have a wide choice of methods to soundproof your garage. The method you choose depend will depend on a variety of factors such as your budget, tolerance among others. Without further ado, let’s delve into these methods;

1. Installing acoustic foam panels

At a glance, acoustic foam panels don’t seem as much. But, these materials go a long way in reducing impact noise from inside and outside. They create a soft landing ground on walls and ceilings to prevent vibration of sound when it hits there. So, instead of blocking noise, foam panels absorb it.

Thus, installing these materials on garage walls, ceiling and windows will soundproof it. They may be a challenge on the windows though if you care about the outside view.

Additionally, acoustic foams are a plus if you want to beautify your garage. They look so beautiful on the outside. So, they can bring a different taste to your garage besides their main function.

2. Windows inserts

If your garage has glass windows, window inserts can help you soundproof it. The inserts create a vacuum region between the two window glasses. This vacuum is necessary to prevent sound transmission. So, the noise insert won’t go out and none will penetrate from outside.

3. Vinyl soundproofing barrier

This is another method you can use to soundproof your garage. The vinyl barrier is a thin sheet that you can install on the wall, floor and garage ceiling. Because vinyl is a nontoxic material, you may want to try this method. It is also one of the easiest methods of soundproofing your garage.

4. Weather-stripping

Weather-stripping is the process of protecting your garage door from water damage. It involves sealing off all the potential water entry points such as the bottom, sides and panels. Basically, you are sealing any spaces on the door.

Weather-stripping is a good soundproofing technique. It eliminates any spaces that may allow sound out or inside. This is a simple process that may not even need you to hire a professional. All you need to do is identify holes on the garage door and close them. Other than the door, you can also weather-strip your garage windows if it has any.

5. Sound dampening blanket

Using sound dampening blankets and curtains is the cheapest and most versatile method. These materials absorb the sound in their fabric fiber ensuring it doesn’t escape the room.

The good thing with these materials is that you can move them anytime you want from one point to another. Additionally, they are cheap to acquire. Thus you can buy as many as you want as insulators for your garage. Whether you want to use them on the wall, windows, or the door, the dampening blankets work perfectly.

6. Building a room inside the garage

Also known as room inside a room soundproof technique has been in use for centuries. To date, musicians still use this method to soundproof their studios. You can borrow the same principle in your garage.

Room inside a room simply involves building a new room inside the garage. The essence here is to create more barriers to the noise before it reaches the final exit. Drywalls are the recommended material for constructing such barriers. You can also add fiberglass in between the walls to realize better results. The fiber is not only an incredible soundproof product but also a thermal insulator.

7. Using down doormats

Your garage floor can be problematic if you don’t work on it. Hard surfaces tend to amplify the sounds by granting them a place to bounce and vibrate. Though, rubber doormats can effectively deal with this challenge.

Despite not being soundproof, doormats minimize the noise vibrations on the floor. You can use old carpets or anything soft for this function.

Factors To Consider Before Choose A Garage Soundproof Method

The efficiency of your soundproofing method depends on the choice of the materials. You don’t just wake up and buy the materials. You need to consider critical factors to make the decision. These factors include;

Where to soundproof a garage

The materials used to soundproof walls, floors and ceilings differ in one way or another. Before buying any materials, consider the part of your garage you want to soundproof. This will guide you in picking the right materials and products for the work.

For instance, if you want to soundproof the floor, you’ll need rubber mats. You have to get materials like foam panels and a layer of glass for the walls and windows respectively. Without this knowledge, it’ll be hard to soundproof your garage effectively.

Noise tolerance

How much noise do you want to contain? Your noise tolerance level guides you in buying the right material for your garage. Depending on what you are doing in the garage, you may need very thick or thin soundproofing material. For instance: if you are setting up a band or doing heavy construction work, you need thick insulators. For normal office purposes, you only need a thin insulator to deal with the minimal noise. Installation

Consider how you want to install the soundproofing materials. You can choose to install yourself or hire a professional which means extra cost. If you want to use the DIY method, go for the easy to install materials. There are several self-adhesive insulators that you stick to the wall and you are good to go.

Purpose

The reason why you are soundproofing the garage matters a lot. If you want your room for fancy purposes like office, man cave etc., you must consider aesthetics. For beautification, foam and vinyl work well. The foam has a beautiful texture whereas Vinyl sheets allow you to paint them the way you want.

You may also need to look at the characteristics of the materials. If you expect pets and children in the garage, you have to use nontoxic insulators. Whichever way you want to use your garage, using eco-friendly materials is advisable.

FAQ

Is it possible to fully soundproof a garage?

Yes, you can insulate your garage until no sound escapes. However, you may have to put a lot of effort to make it a success. Unlike heat, sound leaks outwardly. So, you have to insulate the doors, walls and floor to prevent leakages.

How much does one need to soundproof their garage?

The cost of soundproofing your garage depends on its size, materials and installation. If you soundproof your garage by yourself, you’ll spend less money. The bigger the garage, the higher the cost.

How much do I need to soundproof my 2 car garage?

The cost of soundproofing a 2 car garage ranges between $2000 to $3500. Of course, the exact figure depends on the materials and the installation method.

Can someone soundproof a roll-up garage door?

Roll-up garage doors are one of the hardest to soundproof but yes; it’s doable. The soundproofing methods for these doors include;

  • Installing thick vinyl directly on the door
  • Using moving blankets
  • Using noise blocking curtains
  • Installing sound blocking panels on the door
  • Using quiet garage door opener

What makes some garage doors extremely loud?

Several factors can cause your garage door to be very loud. Some of these include; worn-out rollers, loose components and lack of lubrication. In most cases, loud bangs are due to simple problems that need minor fixes.

Which is the best sound absorbing material?

All porous, soft and pliable materials are the best when it comes to sound absorption. On the other hand, hard materials such as metals are the best in reflecting sound.

Can egg cartons absorb sound?

Yes. Egg cartons can be used as soundproofing materials on walls and ceiling. Also, they reflect sound to a certain extent because they also have a certain degree of hardness.

Final Recap

Soundproofing your garage will prevent or reduce the noise entering or leaving your garage. This allows you to convert your garage to anything you want; office, workshop or studio. We hope we’ve answered all your questions and provided an elaborate guide to help you in your garage soundproofing process. Consider everything captured here and you won’t regret it.

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