I'm considering converting my 19x19 two-car garage into a workshop, but I have a few concerns. There's a small room for my gas hot water heater, and I'm worried about safety with that setup. My goal is to build a custom table saw and miter saw table that can be easily moved around on casters so I can still park my car when not in use. However, noise is a big issue for me since my garage lacks insulation and soundproofing, and my neighbor, who is a cop, has a strange schedule. I'm looking for advice on how to soundproof my garage without breaking the bank and any other concerns to consider. Ventilation is another point of interest; it seems like opening the garage door or the small space with the heater could work, but I'm unsure if that's sufficient for projects involving staining or similar tasks. What do you think?
2 Answers
I have an uninsulated garage too, and the noise from my tools isn't really an issue from 20 feet away—except for percussion sounds. Once I was hammering at night, and a neighbor thought someone was breaking in! But the rest of the time, everything's been pretty manageable. If you don’t share a wall with your neighbor, just keep things under control and it's likely they'll hardly notice. As for your heater, just ensure it’s in good condition and vent properly; that should keep safety concerns low.
I've had my gas heater in my garage for years without issues. I keep dust control in mind when using power tools, so that hasn’t led to any problems. Regarding insulation, you might want to check your garage walls. If they're wood, adding rockwool insulation and drywall could help with sound and temperature. It is tough to achieve total soundproofing, but if you talk to your neighbor beforehand, it shouldn't be a big deal. Also, consider adding more outlets and lights while you’re at it, as garages tend to be dark and have limited power.
Thanks for the tip on insulation! I need to check what I have inside the walls and see if a little upgrade can help with both sound and heat.
Good to know I might be okay with the noise! I’ll definitely keep an eye on the heater and maybe add some ventilation just to be safe.