How to Soundproof a Garage Door? 7 Easy Ways
While many people might not consider the garage a priority when it comes to soundproofing, this often-overlooked area can be used for various purposes other than just keeping your vehicle or storing seasonal items and outdoor equipment.
For instance, musicians might utilize the garage for band practice, DIY enthusiasts could transform it into a workshop, car enthusiasts may establish a home-based auto repair shop, or some individuals might even create a home office within the garage. In this article, we’ll discuss how to soundproof your garage. So, let’s start!
How to Soundproof a Garage Door? To soundproof a garage door, seal gaps and install weatherstripping around the door’s edges to block out noise. Next, attach MLV or soundproofing panels to the door’s surface to dampen sound transmission. Lastly, consider upgrading a garage door with a new model with better soundproofing properties.
Whether you have a big or small budget, there are ways to soundproof your garage door. While some options are better than others, it’s all a matter of personal preference. We’ll review these topics in more detail below, so stay tuned.
Reasons To Soundproof Your Garage Door
There are a couple of key reasons why you need to soundproof your garage door, such as:
- Blocking unwanted noise from entering the space.
- Keeping sounds from escaping the area.
Imagine having a peaceful workshop or band practice space in your garage, so you don’t disturb anyone from outside. Soundproofing your garage door can make this a reality. Plus, it stops loud sounds from bothering your neighbors.
Besides reducing noise, soundproofing a garage door can improve your insulation inside the garage. Soundproofing prevents heat from coming in or going out, making your garage more comfortable and lowering your energy bills. In the end, you’ll have a cozy, noise-controlled space that you can use for various purposes.
Related Article: Is Spray Foam Good For Soundproofing? Explained
7 Ways How To Soundproof a Garage Door
Now that we have explained the main reasons why soundproofing your garage is a good idea, we will go through the seven ways on how you can do it. Let’s start!
1. Soundproof Your Garage Air Vents
Garage vents might not be something you often think about, but they can contribute significantly to noise issues that are coming from your garage. Before starting to soundproof your garage doors, make sure to address the vents. This is a very important step that you should not ignore. Here is what you need to do:
- First, you can create an air vent sound maze using acoustic foam and wooden sticks. Cut the acoustic foam to match the size of your sticks – both thin and thick sticks work well for this. Then, place them as shown in the diagram below to reduce the noise that is coming from garage doors.
- If the sound maze doesn’t resolve your noise issue, you might consider removing the garage vents completely. Remember that your garage will become warm throughout the year without proper air circulation. While this may be good during winter, it can be very problematic during the summer.
If you plan to use your garage as a workspace, or entertainment area, you’ll need to find alternative ways to keep cool, such as using large fans or a window air conditioning unit.
Related Article: How To Reduce Echo In A Room Or Office?
2. Soundproof Garage Door Windows
If you have problems with a loud noise that is coming from your garage, you may consider covering your garage door windows. A simple and effective way to do this is by making window plugs. You can make these by using a simple door handle, backing board, and acoustic panels.
To make the plug, you need to measure the depth of a window seal and cut it in half. You want the plug to fit perfectly inside the frame, but it must not touch the window pane. However, if you notice a gap between the pane and the plug, don’t worry.
In addition to window plugs, you can use other materials, such as sound blankets, to cover your garage door windows. You may need to cut sound blankets to the size of your window. Soundproofing curtains are also a great option to block out noise and add some style to your garage. Simply hang them over your window, and that’s it.
3. Install Acoustic Panels on Garage Walls
When looking to soundproof your garage doors, one effective way to do it is to install acoustic panels on the walls. These panels provide a professional appearance and can significantly reduce noise, making your garage a much more convenient place to work undisturbed.
Depending on your chosen type, these panels are designed to capture echoes from traveling. They also help absorb sound, particularly mid and high frequencies. The great thing is that acoustic panels are easy to install.
If one day you decide to remove the acoustic panels from your garage, choose a more temporary installation approach. Although covering your floor with acoustic panels isn’t recommended, placing them on the door or walls can be a successful strategy for decreasing noise in your garage.
Related Article: How to Reduce Treadmill Noise In an Apartment?
4. Add Fiberglass Panels On Your Garage Door
Don’t despair if you’re struggling to eliminate noise from a garage door, as fiberglass panels may be the perfect solution that you need. You can install them on the garage door using adhesive spray or hanging strips. The great thing is that they come in various colors, so you have a wide range to choose from.
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Fiberglass panels offer numerous benefits, including reducing friction on garage doors and soundproofing features. Moreover, using these panels will also insulate a garage and decrease noise through absorption. In addition to fiberglass panels, consider mass-loaded vinyl as another option for soundproofing. Although not technically panels, they serve as a single noise-reducing barrier.
5. Use Acoustic Blankets On the Garage Door
Using acoustic blankets is a great option to soundproof your garage door. This can be done by attaching these blankets to both sides of the garage door for better noise reduction. However, remember to remove the blankets every time you close or open the door to avoid any damage to the garage door mechanism.
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If you are low on budget, you can use moving blankets. However, if this doesn’t solve your issue, and you still experience noise problems, then you should definitely choose acoustic blankets.
Related Article: Ceiling Vibrator: A Gadget For Noisy Neighbors
Acoustic blankets are specially designed to reduce noise, so they are a much better alternative than moving blankets. You can find these blankets online or in a local shop, and they usually come with reinforced grommets that give you multiple hanging options.
If these blankets are too big for your garage door, you can easily cut them down. Another option is to fold the moving blanket to add an extra layer for better soundproofing. Using acoustic blankets eliminates unwanted noise and vibrations, making your garage door operate more quietly and smoothly.
6. Remove Gaps Around Your Garage Door
Ensure that you seal all the gaps around your garage door. That way, you’ll prevent sound from going out or coming in through the garage door. Regularly updating the weatherstripping on your garage doors, you can prevent the appearance of future gaps.
For addressing particularly huge gaps, consider using high-density foam tape. However, ensure the door can still open and close easily, given the tape’s half-inch thickness.
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7. Replace Old Garage Doors With New One
If none of the methods we have discussed have worked, it might be time to consider replacing your garage door with a new one. Look for a garage door with good soundproofing features, as these will offer the best noise reduction. Although it may cost more than a regular garage door, they are worth the investment if you want to eliminate noise completely.
While no garage door can guarantee complete soundproofing, some garage models will significantly reduce the noise level. This is beneficial not only for you as a homeowner but also for your neighbors. So, if you want to eliminate noisy garage door sounds, investing in a soundproof garage door is your best option.
If you want to learn more about soundproofing a garage door, watch this video:
Final Thoughts
By soundproofing a garage door, you can significantly reduce the noise that enters or exits your garage. There are various methods available that can help you achieve this. In this article, we covered seven ways to soundproof your garage door successfully.
However, it’s essential to determine the type of noise you’re dealing with before choosing the appropriate soundproofing method. But whichever method you choose, you won’t go wrong. I hope this article helped you, and if you have additional questions, feel free to contact me.
