Accommodating a drummer in the garage Re-generate an old or tired space and give it a fresh breath of life. Click here for answers, information and tips

[Longsufferingdad]

My teenage son is a keen drummer and wants to build a room within our double garage (which is never used for cars!) It is intended to be a fairly temporary construction, although with good sound insulation for the sake of our neighbours. He proposes 2 stud walls, a door but no window (just some ventilation). I can see more potential problems than he can.

Would such a project need Building Regs permission? Has anyone any experience of doing this sort of project?

[bodget&co]

Hi there,
Your son doesn't realise what a great father he has with you willing to do this for him, my old man just used to tell me to "stop that bloomin' racket" etc etc.

Don't think you need planning permission because you are not altering any structures of the garage, (am I right in assuming that?)

The only considering factors here is the noise and cost.

If it's only going to be a temporary fixture and cost is no problem, a company called 'studiospares' supply & erect isolation booths for drummers and vocalists, but alas they aren't cheap, think they rake in at around 4k, yikes!! This would be the option I'd choose if I could afford it as they can be un-erected (if that is a word) and moved, they are ventilated and you can get them with windows, think they measure in at around two m2. Soundproofing it self can be expensive, the egg box myth is egg-sactly that. (sorry)
They only soften the acoustics of the room, look a little silly and are a fire hazard.

You can get a sheet of soundproofing membrane which is apparently supposed to be 6dB more dense than solid lead, but again this is expensive, the cheapest option here is to probably buy your son an electric kit and put im in the garage as is.

Failing that the two ply stud wall may work, but it might be an expensive experiment. I don't really know that much about the attenuation properties of plasterboard, and you could end up having to further construct to keep the neighbours happy, or buy them all ipods.

Hope this helps, if you need any more advice you can find me here.

With regards,

Bodget&co.

[thedoctor]

Go to the soundproofing projects on the website, the company in there can soundproof anything.

[Longsufferingdad]

Thank you Bodget and the Doctor for replying. I was worrying about building regs but as it is "temporary" I think it'll be OK. Bodget, I don't think the electric kit will do for him, you know how it is...
I am not aiming for complete silence, just a reasonable reduction. So we will use stud walls, insulating the gap with something like acoustic mineral wool (thanks for the site reference, Doc.), probably use a fire door (that should keep the sound down) and insulate the floor too with a soundproof & waterproof membrane.

Oh, the expense... :cry: