[BobC]

So my toddlers bedroom wall is common to an attic area above my garage.  When I open the garage door to leave for work in the morning the noise from the garage door opener wakes him...at least that is what gets the blame    SO, I'm going to have to go into my attic and try to better insulate the wall this weekend.  Any advice on the type if insulation I should use to get the best noise abatement?  Stapled rolls of BAT or sheets of 2" Blue styrofoam board?

Thanks in advance!

Bob

[bpape]

Batts will be better..Styrofoam will do zero.

Just be realistic.  Quite honestly, I'd bet a 12 pack that it's not airborne issues.  It's the opener vibrating the wall structure that's causing the problem.  You'd likely have as much or better luck using some isolation clips and beefing up the supports for the opener to minimize the structural transfer.

BRyan

[BobC]

Hmm, good points.  I'll definately take a look at those connections.  Thanks!

So that gets me thinking.  Aren't accoustic panels (for a listening room) often made out of sheets or styrofoam or rigid fiberglass?  Apples and oranges type of thing I guess?

[bpape]

Open cell foam is used for cheaper absorbing panels.  Rigid fiberglass, mineral wool, and cotton are much more efficient. 

I guess my point is to get the motor vibration and the vibration from the track system (large, long ringing pieces of metal...hmmmm.) isolated from the garage structure so it can't transfer to the shared wall, vibrate the studs in her room which in turn vibrate the drywall like a drum head.

There are clips meant for this purpose.  Look at www.pac-intl.com

Bryan

[BobC]

Thanks for the link!  There are distributors in my area.  I'll take a look.

[BobC]

SO I decided to try a different route.  Given my toddler wakes not only when I leave for work in the morning, but also when the school buses are driving by, I thought I'd attach his window first.  I bought two pieces of clear acrylic plastic (30" x 59" each) for his two windows and edged them with some stick-on weather stripping.  Slipped them into the grooves made for the screens.  They look ok and you don't even know they're there when the blinds are down.  So far, so good.  I think it keeps the noise out pretty well, but it's only been 1 night, so we'll see.  Definately should help keep the heat in! 

Still looking into the garage door mounts.  Will probably just buy a new (more quiet) motor at the same time.

[TRADERXFAN]

Have you considered getting a different garage door opener?  I believe the screw drive is very quiet...

[BobC]

Yep, new opener is definately on the list!  Thanks!