So your teen wants to start a band using your garage as studio space. It could be worse

Your teenage son just dropped a hint that his newly formed rock band needs a place to practice and your garage would be perfect – the only place with enough space for the instruments and speakers. You can’t say no, but you don’t want the police at your door or the neighbors mad. First thing: don’t panic. Then read this blog and find some ways to resolve your concerns.

But, don’t overlook the fact that some major rock bands started their careers in garages, like The Who and Nirvana. Maybe this will be the beginning of an epic voyage… or just a good way to support your kids’ interests. Whatever the case, you can reduce the amount of sound transmitted to the house and toward the neighbors by keeping these few tips in mind.

Insulation first

If you garage is attached to your house, it goes without saying that adequate insulation is a must. For a detached garage more than a stone’s throw from the house, it may be more of an issue for your neighbors than you. Are they very understanding and happen to love budding rock musicians? If not, sufficiently muffling the sound is necessary.

In the first scenario, for an adjoining garage, if it is less than 20 years old, there is a good chance your builder complied with the standards for energy‑efficient insulation in your state or province. The walls and ceiling should be fitted with an effective insulation, very often mineral wool panels. Mineral wool, on top of being a good thermal insulator, is an equally good acoustic insulator because its structure prevents the movement of air. This is not the case with plastic‑based insulation materials, like polystyrene.

Of particular note are the ways to reduce noise transmission if you have a bedroom located directly over the garage. However, even using these methods, there may need to be an agreed upon curfew so that the band’s practice schedule doesn’t overlap your bedtime.

Tips for reducing sound transmissions

At this point, this won’t become an Acoustics 101 course because you don’t need all the details. But there are specific actions you can take to control the effects. Be aware that instruments place on the floor, like drums and speakers, will transmit the most sound. You can lay down a rubber pad, a felt underlayment, or a noise‑absorbing carpet, but know that they have little effect on the transmission of sound waves to the outside. However, it can help.

Forget egg cartons or any panel made from polystyrene foam (which, anyway, needs to be covered because it is flammable). They won’t deliver the results you are looking for. The best solution consists of creating a room within a room. It won’t be an equal to a recording studio, but it will be a place your teen can have fun.

The garage door is… your fourth wall!

While insulating your garage so that you are disturbed as little as possible, don’t forget about your neighbors. Did you know that if your garage door is well insulated and has a system of effective weatherseals, you are going to reduce the transmission of noise by at least 50%? The most effective garage door we can use is 1 ¾ in. (45 mm) thick, injected with polyurethane foam, and comes with effective weatherstripping around the whole perimeter of the door, including weatherstripping between door sections and the exterior frame. Sound waves move like air, so the slightest infiltration of air will transmit noise.

In conclusion

Contact us at 613-749-2138. We know garage doors better than anyone. If needed, we can email you a detailed quotation. You can visit us at our showroom. It will be our pleasure to explain the complete range of doors available and to advise you on the best choice to make. You can also go on our design center and send us a request for an online quotation.