Soundproofing a garage will give a person the privacy needed to enjoy music and other activities without disturbing their neighbors. Turning a garage into a soundproof room makes a great family room where kids and adults can play freely. The basic theory to soundproofing a garage is building a room within a room. This added room will help to ensure the garage is peaceful and as noise-free as possible. There are a variety of methods and products available to help soundproof a garage. The degree of soundproofing will depend on the activities planned for the garage and the privacy needed.
Inspect the garage walls and windows for cracks and areas where you can see sunlight coming through. Seal in these areas with acoustical caulk. Another option available is to add soundproof windows to the already existing garage windows. This type of window is installed behind the existing window, and can open and close in the same manor as a regular window. A soundproof window is engineered to act as a sound barrier in the room where they are installed.
Remove any garage doors that are hollow and replace it with a solid structure. Choosing an insulated garage door without windows will also help in soundproofing a garage. Install a room divider between the garage doors and new wall to help with noise reduction.
Add sound insulation to the ceiling of the garage. If possible, do this from the attic space above the garage. Add extra fiberglass insulation and foam panels over the garage area. If this isn’t possible, attaching the insulation to the ceiling may be the only option. Add as many anechoic obstacles to the garage ceiling as possible. This will help keep sound in and reduce echoing.
Install Green Glue damping compound to the surrounding areas and walls. This will help in creating a sound barrier. Line the inside of the garage walls with drywall, then apply a layer of Green Glue to the the drywall. Add a second layer of drywall by attaching it to the first layer with drywall screws. Seal the seams between the pieces of drywall with acoustical caulk.
When the room is done, place a carpet on the concrete floor. This will help to keep sound from reverberating across the garage floor. If you don’t have a concrete garage floor, install a false floor made of plywood that is a few inches in height. Place fiberglass insulation in between the space under the floor or fill it with soil.
A cost effective way to soundproof a garage is to use and install sound absorption panels. Sound absorption products stop noise from bouncing off the walls. These panels are made of flexible polyurethane foam, which gives maximum airflow resistance, positive heat, humidity, and are flame and chemical resistance. These panels are available in different sizes and can be easily attached to a variety of surfaces. Each panel has an easy peel-and-place application, and installation of these panels do not require any specialty tools or materials.
Absorbing sheets are another highly efficient option to help soundproof a garage. They are available in a variety of different sized sheets and room kits. These sheets are easy to install and are made of natural materials. The natural materials in these sheets are know to help absorb sound. These sheets can be hung and removed throughout a garage using Mega-clips. These sheets are portable and are a great option to use for soundproofing a garage that is part of a rental property. These absorbing sheets help absorb echoes and noise reflections. For more information on soundproofing a garage go to www.ehow.com.
