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Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by John Patterson
We get a lot of communications from musicians looking to set up their music studios in their gardens. This could either be by building a shed or using an existing construction as their music studio.
To shed some light on such a project, here is what you need to know.
The first thing to know is that there is plenty of misinformation to be found online. If you were to be using the information found in a Google search your attempts to soundproofing a garden studio may go down the wrong path. Therefore, I will try to rectify some of the common misconceptions about this project.
Soundproofing a Garden Studio
The Importance of Effective Studio Insulation
Although modern garden studios are usually heavily insulated that insulation is primarily aimed at maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the year.
That insulation will also have sound dampening properties. To further improve noise dampening acoustic insulation board can be used. This insulation can be fitted to new build studios or retrofitted to an existing studio.
Insulation is suitable for both doors and windows. Windows can be re-glazed and doors can be can also benefit from acoustic glazing with specialized materials.
This is best accomplished by enlisting an expert to ensure that the studio enjoys superior sound insulation. To ensure that sound does not escape it is recommended that (in some instances) the frames be resealed or even replaced.
Further sound insulation can be achieved by fitting soundproof shutters to windows. If the studio is going to be a new build Green Studios will offer advice on how to ensure soundproofing by reducing window spacing – but still allowing the entrance of natural light. As a DJ found (see below), reducing the number of glass leads to superior soundproofing.
Music Studio by Green Studios
Although windows and doors are important in ensuring soundproofing sound can also escape through the floor. Installing thick carpeting and a superior underlay can help to solve this problem. It also assists in maintaining a comfortable temperature.
Natural features such as trees and shrubs can also be extremely effective at masking should. Studio owners should consider planting landscape features like these around the studio.
A Garden Centre advisor will be able to assist in choosing the best plants. A ‘living roof’ will also reduce the amount of sound that escapes through the roof. Even something as simple as a planting box can be effective. The alternative is easy to fit sedum matting.
Using a professional advisor can make the process easy and offer surprising value. These professionals will ensure that the garden studio meets the unique requirements of those who are using it.
The Fundamental Physics of Soundproofing – Very Important!
The first thing to know is that there are three important points to consider when soundproofing for potentially very loud noises.
#1. Airborne Sound Can Only Be Blocked by Mass
To construct a building that will withstand the transmission of airborne sound it will need to contain a high level of mass. We can talk about mass until we have a Ph.D. in physics, but suffice to say, the heavier and denser the material you use, the better it will absorb sounds. So, a concrete wall will deafen sounds better than a lighter wooden wall.
#2. Sounds become vibration energy
When they strike a solid surface, the sound becomes vibration energy which can move through solids easily. This is especially true for kick drums. To ensure that this vibration energy is properly dissipated, you will want to apply what we call the “room within a room” technique. We will get into this point in more detail later.
#3. Soundproofing is a bit like waterproofing
To properly contain sounds, you will want to stop up your space like you would a waterproof structure. This means addressing the walls but also the ceilings and floors.
Then you will want to be sure the windows, doors, and vents have all been sealed up as well. Sound, like water, will always find the weakest point to escape. If all points of entry are not properly addressed, the sound will continue to pass through.
What Should I Build My Studio Out Of?
As mentioned, high mass materials will hold sounds better, so begin with that. One effective and thrifty solution is to use two layers of high-density breeze block separated by and space.
This is a very effective soundproofing structure, and much cheaper than a wooden wall. This in itself will block a good portion of the sound that is transferred through the wall.
If you add to this structure a solution like a bar system, you can expect superior soundproofing that will even keep the loudest practice pretty covert. Put this inside a quality garden studio and you’re golden If you want to know more about these studios then visit this blog post.
Can I Use My Wooden Garden Shed?
The problem with wooden structures is that they are the hardest things to soundproof. Wood as a material has very little mass and carries sound very well.
To effectively soundproof a wooden structure, you will need to use a high-performance ReductoClip system in addition to whatever else you add. While this will increase the level of soundproofing, it will never reach any higher than 75% soundproof.
How Do I Soundproof the Inside?
To do this, you should consider our effective “room within a room” technique. This involves using resilient bars that are attached to the walls, and ceiling. Then new walls are built on top of these essentially creating the “room within a room” effect.
Sound traveling from the outside to the inside will then traverse a solid wall, and the inner wall before being detected. The bars between the walls will act as a shock absorber to diminish sound waves as they travel from the inside-outside and vice versa.
Through a system like this, you can expect most of the noise to be blocked from wooden sheds and as much as 100% soundproofing in a custom-built soundproof box.
