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Garages make ideal spaces for musicians looking for an affordable place to rehearse (especially if it is owned by parents who might be willing to offer it for free or next to nothing). You might commute to work and own a garage that is just being used for storage. Why not transform it into a useful space instead? Here, we will look at the best ways to soundproof a garage when converting it into a rehearsal studio. Starting Out When converting a garage, always remember that you will never be able to get rid of all the sound. Don’t obsess over this and focus, instead, on issues such as preventing sound from escaping through the garage door, which is one of the greatest challenges when attempting to soundproof a garage. It is also important to bear in mind where your garage is located. Is it part of the house or a separate structure? Do you live in a noisy area or is it fairly peaceful? Analyse your garage and surroundings before you begin. Noise transfer to attached structures (structure-born sound) can be more of a difficult issue to deal with than airborne sound. Remember if you are in an area of reasonably high ambient sound (i.e. near a road or busy street) the soundproofing will appear better than in a very quiet neighbourhood." What’s Important Bring up the subject of converting a garage into a rehearsal studio and most DIY experts will tell you the same thing: focus on the door and windows. Whilst it is possible to create a removable soundproof structure in front of an existing up-and-over door, by far the most effective method of reducing any noise escaping is to remove it and brick up the space. If you remove any windows from the structure, ensure these spaces are bricked up and think about installing an alternate light source if there isn’t one already. If possible, install a ‘double door entry system’ (one outward and one inward door) to provide alternative access. Materials Soundproofing a garage can cost between several hundred and several thousand pounds, depending on the size. Try using an acoustic mineral wool (at least 100mm thick depending on your needs) for insulating the roof and walls (attach aluminium or steel bars to these areas to create a frame for the AMW to fit into) Use a similar material for acoustic flooring. It can also be beneficial to apply melamine foam or acoustic boards to the interior shell to minimise any noise escaping from the newly-insulated structure. A Final Word Converting a garage can be a fun DIY project but never be afraid to ask a professional for help if you’re unsure about any aspect. Keep your local building regulations department informed of what you’re doing and always make sure you use materials which meet fire and safety standards.
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Soundproofing, acoustic insulation, domestic soundproofing,
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