Can you soundproof a shed?

By lining the shed walls with a high grade membrane, you don't lose any space and get far better soundproofing performance. It may be a little more pricey than over-the-counter foam panels, but you'll get the best possible end result without question – if budget allows, do it.

acoustiblok.co.uk - How to Soundproof a Shed - Acoustiblok UK

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5th February 2021

Most households have a garden shed and many are being used for a multitude of purposes. In the main a shed or timber workshop is used to store tools and equipment for gardening and DIY projects. But eventually, you may decide to use the building for other means as a multipurpose space. If your typical activities are somewhat noisy, such as using power tools and machinery, or perhaps a band rehearsal or playing a musical instrument through amplification, soundproofing your shed is a must to prevent any noise from escaping. Most people opt for soundproofing their shed to ensure the use of the space doesn’t spill out into the main home or worse, bother neighbouring properties and cause a nuisance to those around you. Equally, the reason for insulating the outbuilding could be to prevent noise ingress from the outside world into the quiet space such as an office, a writing area for budding authors, a therapy treatment room or for mixing, editing, and audio purposes. Whatever the reason, soundproofing a shed is not as difficult as you may think, and is more than achievable with a little DIY know how, a grasp of what you are trying to achieve and a fairly basic understanding of the type of materials you might use. If preferred or maybe required, the hiring of a professional acoustical consultant or contractor might prove to be the easiest route, but an understanding of basic approaches may be invaluable.

Tools

The tools required will depend on the methods you intend to apply.

However, the following are some of the more common tools you’ll need for such a project:

Measuring Tape

Electric Drill

Utility Knife

Caulk Gun

Electric Screwdriver or Impact Driver

Taping Knife

Straight Edge

Level

Materials

If you want to get the best finish possible, hiring a professional soundproofing contractor should be the first step that springs to mind, especially if you have no experience of a soundproofing project. A professional will give you the best finish and an end product fit for purpose without doubt. Soundproofing and acoustic calibration is an area of expertise that takes years to understand and perfect. So this is not an area that can be cobbled together by a novice. However if budgets are tight, you can soundproof a shed as a DIY project to a fairly reasonable degree which shouldn’t be too difficult. But you must apply the correct methods and the best possible soundproofing materials depending on the structure of your shed to get a fairly acceptable end product. The final finish may not be to the highest grade but when it comes to a shed, the final aesthetic may not be quite as important to you as if you were soundproofing a room in your home. In this particular case, your main objective might be to apply effective soundproofing without the concerns of the final finish. That said it is always a very sensible starting point to ensure structural integrity and weather tightness. This will not only protect your investment and the works you are planning, but also assist greatly with your understanding of the building and acoustic performance. This will always largely depend on the age and type of building in question, the budgets and amount of effort you wish to apply and your priorities. Filling and plugging cracks, gaps and holes in the external envelope at the outset will help no end and remember, the project will only be as effective as your weakest point. So be thorough and consistent in your approach – there is little point over doing one area only to skimp in another. The materials needed to soundproof a shed effectively are relatively easy to acquire and work with. But bear in mind that over the counter DIY products are highly unlikely to perform as well as professional grade soundproofing materials. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need the following materials depending on the method you intend to apply when soundproofing your shed:

Floor Coverings, Membranes, Acoustic Underlay, Mats & Carpets

It is a must to correctly soundproof the shed floor.

Plywood

This material adds additional mass and density to the structure as well increased stiffness, which is needed in case you decide to apply decoupling methods, which we’ll discuss in more detail below. Plywood can ideally be used in walls, floors and ceilings.

Cavity Open Cell Insulation

This material provides acoustic absorption and thermal resistance. It is installed into the existing space created by the frame of the shed. It is suggested to go for a version that is hydrophobic. A simple, relatively inexpensive and essential process to increase performance – QuietFibre Cavity Insulation is a good example.

Acoustic Isolation Membrane

For lining the shed walls, floors and ceiling. A unique, high performing and thin solution which offers the highest level of acoustic insulation is – Acoustiblok 3mm or 6mm Isolation Membrane.

Breather Membrane & Vapour Control Layer

An integral layer installed independently across the frame or within a finishing board to control moisture and humidity.

Drywall, Plasterboard & Particle Board

Needed when applying the principles of finishing, density, mass, decoupling and dampening to soundproof the shed. Differing thicknesses and densities available. Ideally with an integral vapour control layer on the rear of the board.

Drywall Screws

For fixing drywall and other panelling to the existing shed frame.

Acoustic Sealant

For affixing items to structures whilst reducing sound resonance and vibrations.

Acoustical Caulk

A very important material needed to seal gaps in the shed, particularly along the door frames, window frames and small gaps and cracks etc.

Rubber Seals & Gaskets

A must for doors and window frames.

To add an extra layer to the shed glazing to ensure that these are not the weakest point acoustically. Not required if you decide to replace it with higher performing glazing units or where the decision is taken to remove / block up the windows entirely.

Acoustic Foam & Fabric Panels – Internal Acoustic Calibration

More of an acoustic absorption to reduce internal resonance rather than an isolation principle. Installed as decorative panels used by affixing to the walls or as angled panels in corners and from ceiling where there is sufficient height – Absorber Panels and AcoustiClouds.

Application

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Floors

One of the most common misconceptions when it comes to soundproofing a space is that one only needs to treat the walls. However, to properly and effectively soundproof a shed you will need to deal with the floors, as well as the walls, ceiling, windows, door and any gaps, cracks or holes that may be present. The most important principle you need to bear in mind throughout, is that sound always finds a means of escape through a structure’s weakest points. Just like water manages to seep through a small crack or hole, sound acts in exactly the same way. Under the floor may only be mother earth but sound and acoustic energy can and will find a way to the space below as well as to anything connected to it, for example, the walls. So it’s understandable to realise that sound will easily escape through the floors, just as it would anywhere else. A fairly effective starting point is to install a suitable and simple floor finish onto the existing shed floor, subject to the existing being in good condition and able to stand the test of time. If required, add an additional layer of dense board to the floor such as ply to increase the thickness, density and stiffness of the base. This is of course the starting point and base from which everything else will be linked. If you are on a budget, an old carpet underlay and carpet or even some thick fabric that you can tack down may do a fairly reasonable job. This will help to reduce impact noise, vibrations through the horizontal base frame and into vertical wall structure. These are known as ‘flanking transmissions’ which travel along any solid and rigid pathway to the perimeter and walls etc. The thicker the carpet, the more effective it’s going to be to minimise impact noise. This will also help with internal absorption of sound waves, which in effect will help with the quality of the acoustics within the space. For a much higher level of acoustic performance however, you should invest in a high grade acoustic insulation membrane like Acoustiblok 3mm & 6mm Isolation Membranes.

This can be used in all surfaces, walls, ceiling and floor.

Just a few millimetres thick, this material is barely noticeable in way of depth however, it out performs thick carpets and rugs by transferring problematic sound energy into less troublesome heat energy.

The material can be applied directly to the floor substrate.

If installed in conjunction with an underlay material such as Acoustiblok AcoustiMat Acoustic Underlay, the final soundproofing performance will be outstanding.

Finally, you can lay your preferred choice of floor covering on top.

With an exterior building such as a shed, be thoughtful of weather proofing, damp and moisture which could prove to be an issue with water absorption. All absorptive materials will become damp and develop an unpleasant musty smell, which can develop into mould and mildew.

In such cases, carpeting the floors is not recommended.

Better still, remedy the problem by ensuring weather tightness.

Alternatively, interlocking gym mats are a better alternative as a floor covering and will not suffer from such a problem. Installing them is simple, effortless and you will quickly cover the entire shed floor in minutes.

Walls

Understandably, the walls are the determining factor to effectively soundproof a shed.

There’s a couple of approaches you can take, but each has their pros and cons. First and foremost, a typical construction method for the walls of a shed is timber frame clad with timber. As such the thickness of the frame creates rigidity, strength and a cavity. This cavity is dead space and can house not only services such as power, wiring and services etc, but also an open cell absorptive slab insulation. Rock Wool or Acoustiblok QuietFibre are also good types of insulation material that you can use, and it is relatively inexpensive, however ensure your construction is water tight to avoid damp occurring. Once done, you will have completed one of the basic principles of acoustic soundproofing – absorption. A breather membrane or vapour control layer may be required across the walls, attached to the timber frame to control humidity and vapour movement into the wall. Some budding DIYers like to use plasterboard affixed to the framework of the shed walls, as this increases the insulation of the shed and further reduces sound emissions.

A deflection principle in sound proofing terms.

At this point, a common low budget approach is to install acoustic foam over the wall, which is designed to absorb sound and prevent it escaping through the wall structures. Usually affixed with adhesive backing, foam is a quick and easy solution but tends to be thick, so can dramatically reduce the internal usable space of the room and is not really very effective especially with lower frequencies. A far better alternative is to use more modern insulation membranes, which are wafer thin and outperform old fashioned acoustic foam panelling by a mile. A prime example is Acoustiblok 3mm Isolation Membrane – a cutting edge material that converts a problematic acoustic sound energy into a less problematic trace element heat energy. By lining the shed walls with a high grade membrane, you don’t lose any space and get far better soundproofing performance. It may be a little more pricey than over-the-counter foam panels, but you’ll get the best possible end result without question – if budget allows, do it.

Another technique to consider when soundproofing shed walls is to apply damping.

This involves installing two layers of dense finishing board or panels, with a damping compound applied in between them.

Rigid paneling will suffice, with popular options including drywall, MDF or plywood.

Some people make the mistake of assuming one of the layers can be the walls of the shed itself.

However, it is best to combine damping with decoupling principles.

Rather than using the existing shed walls, it’s more effective to connect the inner wall to a decoupler, which is then connected to the wall studs. This will greatly reduce vibrations that try to travel through to the outer walls.

But again, you will lose some internal space by applying this method.

So if space is at a premium, opt for specialist isolation membranes like Acoustiblok, or both.

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Windows

Unsurprisingly, shed windows tend to be responsible for a considerable amount of sound escaping from the building. The thinner the glass and frames along with the more ill fitting, the bigger the problem. You may consider replacing the current windows with thick glass, or if money is not an issue there are also acoustic glass windows which can be very effective. These types of windows consist of two thick sheets of glass, along with a thinner sheet in between them for great soundproofing results – but maybe over the top for a shed.

Again, establish what is important. Are windows required?

Alternatively if budgets are limited, you could purchase thick plastic sheets from DIY stores and affix them to the windows. This will increase the thickness of the glass and reduce the amount of sound that manages to make its way out. But this method is rarely ever 100% foolproof and results can be mixed. You would need to make sure all rubber seals around the windows are in good condition.

If not, replace them or reseal them completely.

Another good alternative is acrylic windows.

These offer better sound control than normal glass used in most common windows. You can also hang soundproofing blankets over the windows, or invest in soundproofing curtains or heavy drapes – it all helps. But in most cases, if daylight is not critical to the space and acoustic performance is key, you might be wiser in removing, boarding over and blocking up the windows entirely. The obvious trade off is you’ll have no source of natural light, but the soundproofing performance will be far greater than trying to add layers over the glass. If your shed has power, you could easily install interior lighting and eliminate the concern of sound escaping through the windows.

Doors

The doors inevitably allow for a large amount of sound escaping from a shed. Chances are that the shed door does not have any kind of rubber seals or gaskets. It may also be crudely fitted and not flush to any surrounding frame. So sounds will easily be able to escape between gaps in the door’s base and the floor, as well as all around the door framing. While these gaps may seem insignificantly small, the truth is that sound easily makes its way through the tightest of gaps, so you need to tackle this by ensuring proper sealing is in place. As for the walls you may consider installing an acoustic membrane to the door / door frame, along with rubber seals. If one is present, the door’s key lock should also have a cover.

Roofs & Ceilings

Roof and ceiling insulation is another important part of the shed’s soundproofing process and it is typical to follow the lead of whatever has been used to treat the walls can also be utilised within this crucial part of the installation. You can insulate the ceiling by applying the same insulation foam used for the shed walls. But again, performance can be mixed and the final finish can look rather untidy. For the roof’s structures, it’s best to replace plasterboard with plywood as it is considerably lighter than the former, and better able to hold the insulation in place. Once in place, cover the ceiling’s surface with a high grade material like Acoustiblok 3mm Isolation Membrane and you will instantly notice the difference.

Sealing Gaps

One of the most important aspects of soundproofing is to effectively seal all gaps, internally and externally. No matter how small or insignificant they may seem, you must not overlook this critical step. Sound manages to pass through the tiniest of gaps, so if you decide to ignore this vital part of the process, you will be jeopardising the effectiveness of the entire soundproofing project. In fact, sealing all gaps in your shed should be a starting point, as well as a final end point. Just when you feel you’ve reached the point of completing your soundproofing project, check for any gaps that may have been overlooked.

This should be done especially after installing any drywall, plasterboard or plywood.

As a general rule of thumb, you want to have a shed that is essentially airtight. So take plenty of time to check and recheck every part of the shed’s structure. Go over every surface from top to bottom, examining each space checking for any cracks, holes or obvious gaps.

Check the spaces around the door and window frames.

In case there are any pipes or cables passing through the walls make sure to seal those areas too. Sealing gaps is best done by using a professional grade flexible acoustic caulk, like Acoustiblok Acoustical Sound Sealant. This is an effective sealer for soundproofing projects and it is very easy to apply. In fact, a high end quality acoustic caulk will retain a certain elasticity and softness, allowing it to be applied easily while remaining effective for many years to come.

Conclusion

Before soundproofing your shed, make sure you plan ahead.

Sheds can be one of the most challenging soundproofing projects as sheds are invariably quite flimsy constructions, gaps appear through shrink back and they require extensive work to make them sufficiently soundproofed.

Using inferior materials will almost always lead to a disappointing finish.

Establish why the work is being done and what the space is to be used for?

Ask how effective the soundproofing needs to be? Then future proof the work by doing it properly, first time. Be realistic, be thorough and remember you are only as strong as your weakest point. Is hiring a contractor that deals in acoustics your best route to a successful completion.

Soundproofing a shed is most certainly not a project for the novice.

So if you are in any doubt, at least seek advice on suitable materials and applications to get the desired end result.

acoustiblok.co.uk - How to Soundproof a Shed - Acoustiblok UK

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