How to Soundproof Your Garage

Your garage isn’t solely a place to park your car, it can also double as a workshop, a gym, or for band practice. Any of these purposes will create noise that can travel beyond the walls of the garage — not good for you, not good for your neighbors.

Here are some tips on how to keep the peace and soundproof your garage.

Garage Door

Due to their large size, garage doors are the worst culprit for noise transfer, especially if they are uninsulated. If you are not ready to upgrade to insulated garage doors, there are several products on the market designed to create a sound barrier. Try a garage door insulation blanket, sealing the gaps around the door with weather stripping, or a garage door insulation kit.

Floor

The garage floor is often overlooked for soundproofing. Sound waves transmit easily through concrete, so you need a way to block them. A sturdy indoor/outdoor carpet, sound deadening vinyl flooring, or interlocking rubber tiles will help. Be sure the flooring is easily moved, or weatherproof and durable, if you plan to park your car in the garage when not using it for other activities.

Ceiling

There are many ways to soundproof your garage ceiling, ranging from tacking up a blanket to installing a drop ceiling. Acoustic tiles can be installed on the ceiling or walls and come in a variety of options — sound absorbing, sound blocking, and sound diffusing. Adding additional insulation will deaden sound and will help regulate the overall temperature in your garage. If you’re short on time or DIY skills, tacking up a blanket, acoustic or otherwise, is the simplest way to go.

Walls

All that noise you’re drumming up (see what we did there?) is traveling right through your garage drywall. Creating a barrier to prevent it from seeping out can be a challenge. If you are considering a whole garage makeover, you can build double walls with staggered studs filled with sound-deadening insulation. If that’s not on your to-do list this year, try acoustic tiles, sound isolation clips, or resilient channels.

Windows

Unless you are using your garage as a home office, you probably don’t need to see out the windows. You can use foam insulation, acoustic plugs, weather stripping, or thick curtains to diminish the amount of sound that escapes. If you’re handy, there are loads of online sites that will provide DIY instructions for making window plugs.

Depending on the use, you may implement one or more (maybe even all!) of these methods for soundproofing your garage. There is a solution for every budget to transform your garage into a usable space.

At Champion Overhead Door, we are always interested in new and inventive ways to use a garage. Have something you’d like to share? Leave comments below!

How to Overhead Garage Storage Systems

Using your garage for storage is a smart idea, but it’s hard to find enough space to store everything you want to, especially if the items are bulky or oddly shaped. Overhead space is perfect for these types of items but is often underutilized. Lucky for you, we have put together a list of our favorite overhead garage storage systems and some suggestions on how to use them.

Before you install any ceiling mounted garage storage system, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and pay attention to the weight limits for each unit.

Flat Overhead Storage Racks

We’ll start our list with one of the most well known overhead storage solutions, the overhead storage rack. Overhead racks are great for all types of items, like totes, sports equipment, patio furniture, and bulk household items (think multi-pack paper towels). There are loads of options to choose from, just be sure to choose racks with weight limits that match what you will be storing. If you are handy with a drill and looking for a good weekend project, try these instructions for DIY garage ceiling storageshelves.

Overhead Storage Hooks and Straps

These handy tools can be used in so many ways, but most commonly for hanging ladders, seasonal gear, and bicycles. Secure a pair of plastic coated hooks into the ceiling to hang a ladder, or use straps to suspend your kayak or stand up paddleboard overhead. You can also use hooks to hang extension cords, beach chairs, or strollers!

Tire Storage Racks

Keep your off-season tires out of the way with a wall- or ceiling-mounted tire rack. Many of us change our seasonal tires ourselves and finding a place to store them can be a struggle. Mounting a tire storage rack high up on your garage wall will keep the tires well out of the way in the off-season.

Overhead Bicycle Storage

One of the biggest struggles in a small garage is finding an accessible place to store your bike. You don’t want it so tucked away that getting it out for a ride takes longer than the ride itself, yet you need to keep it out of the way of your vehicle. Some overhead bicycle storage systems are simple, just two heavy duty plastic-coated hooks mounted wheel width apart. Others involve a pulley system that makes raising and lowering your bicycle a breeze. One of our favorite solutions is the claw bike hook. It opens and closes with the push of a button and securely holds your bike by one tire.

As you can see, there are a lot of options for overhead garage storage. Having a clutter-free garage is something many of us only dream about, but these handy products will make having a tidy and highly-functional space a reality!

Garage Door Trends for 2019

If you are looking to boost your home’s curb appeal, a new garage door is a great place to start. Updating your garage door will not only boost your home’s value, but depending on what kind of door you install, it can also lower your energy bill.

Here are some of the hottest trends for garage doors in 2019.

Bright or Bold Colors

An easy way to show off your personality is by choosing a bold or bright color for your overhead door. Choose one that makes you happy and complements your home’s exterior. Black doors are expected to be one of the top colors for garage doors this year.

Insulated Doors

Because garages today are often multi-purpose spaces, many homeowners are choosing insulated garage doors. An insulated garage will help regulate the temperature of your home and help reduce your overall carbon footprint, too.

Larger Windows

Garage doors with windows are on the uptick this year. More garage door styles are incorporating larger windows in their designs, letting more light in and providing improved curb appeal from the outside. The increase in insulated garages has fueled this change because garages now serve as a gym, laundry room, home office, and more.

Modern Designs

Contemporary garage doors with clean lines and oversized windows are one of the hottest trends of 2019. Homeowners with indoor-outdoor spaces are using these types of doors to replace the more commonly used French doors seen in years past. A patio or pool house can double its space with the doors open, and also be used during cooler weather with them closed.

No matter which type of garage door you want to install, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today for a free estimate.

Choosing the Best Garage Door Material

When selecting a new garage door, one of the choices you need to consider is which material best suits your style, budget and environment. Here’s a quick overview of common garage door materials to help steer you in the right direction.

Steel

The trusty go-to for many homeowners, steel is the most popular material for garage doors. It’s affordable, low-maintenance and extremely customizable. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that steel itself is not the most effective insulator, so it’s wise to choose steel doors that have already been insulated.

Vinyl

If durability is a top priority, vinyl is one of the best garage door material options available. Vinyl is dent-free, low-maintenance and remarkably resistant to rust and corrosion.

Wood

Many people are drawn to the elegant, authentic look of a wood garage door—but this material can be costlier than others. It’s important to select the right kind of wood and to make sure that there’s a protective finish on top. Wood garage doors do require more upkeep than some other garage door materials, including regular refinishing to keep the wood protected from the elements.

Aluminum

Aluminum doors are like steel in many ways, but are often available for a lower price. Unfortunately, this means that they’re lightweight and they don’t hold up as easily. If you’re going with aluminum, be sure to choose one of the newer, heavier-duty models.

Fiberglass

The great thing about fiberglass is that it can be designed to resemble many different materials. This gives homeowners tons of options for the look of their garage door. Fiberglass garage doors don’t hold up well in cold environments, but they are quite salt water-resistant, making this material an ideal choice for warm, coastal areas.

Do you have additional questions about garage door material? Our team here at Champion Overhead Dooris here to help! Give us a call and we’ll help you pick the perfect garage door for you home.

How to Repair a Garage Door (and When to Call in the Experts)

Garage doors typically require maintenance and repairs every so often, but before you call in the experts, there are simple problems you can identify and resolve on your own. Ask yourself these questions to determine if your garage door problems have easy solutions:

Does the hardware need to be tightened?

A garage door opens and closes every day—sometimes multiple times a day—so it’s not unusual for the hardware to loosen over time. Examine the mounting brackets, checking for loose screws and bolts. If you identify any, use a socket wrench to tighten them back up.

Are the tracks clear?

Buildup of debris, grease or rust in the garage tracks can hinder the door’s ability to move smoothly. Use a household cleaner to remove as much of it as you can.

Is there something blocking the safety sensors?

You may think that you’re having garage door problems when really there’s just something blocking the safety sensors. If your door won’t fully close or constantly opens back up, make sure there’s nothing in the path of the safety sensors.

Is the electricity working?

One common complaint among homeowners is that their garage door opener sometimes trips the circuit breaker. Without electricity, the door won’t open or close at all, so be sure to check for this problem.

If you’ve attempted these simple fixes and your garage door still isn’t functioning properly, it’s a good idea to call in the professionals. Trying to fix more serious problems on your own can be dangerous and even lead to more expensive repairs.

At Champion Overhead Door, we’re here to assist with all your garage door maintenance and repair needs. Let us know how we can help!