Soundproofing a room can be done correctly if you know what materials to use. If you have children, live next to a street, noisy neighbors, loud roommates, or have a home office, you need to learn a few ways to make your room soundproof. Some of the methods we list below can be expensive. Use our basic principles and methods of soundproofing and use your imagination to think of other similar cheap ways to quiet your room. We explain how to soundproof doors, walls, floors, and windows for any room.
Soundproof a room
Under Door Soundproofing:
Most noise from one room to another comes through or under the door even when it’s shut. The first step to soundproofing your room is to get the door so sound cannot easily pass through it or underneath it. To deal with sound coming from under the door, you can attach a bottom door soundproof seal. These door seal kits are made to attach to the bottom of your door to keep the noise and sound from entering from underneath. It will fill the gap between the bottom of the door and the flooring. To save money, you could use a piece of foam, rug, or anything bulky for that matter. Lay it at the bottom of the door when it is shut to plug the gap under your door.
Acoustic HD Door Seal Soundproof Kit
Door Soundproofing:
To keep noise from passing through the door (many doors are hollow in apartments and condos) you can buy a sheet of plywood or foam. The plywood can be cut and liquid nailed to the door or a carefully cut sheet of foam can be attached. Anything that can be added to the back of the door can help block sound waves from coming through. If you live in an apartment and this is not possible, you can put a few plastic self stick hooks on your door and hang your towels or heavy clothing from the hooks to inexpensively help block noise. Depending on if you own your place or not, you could replace the door completely. Find a soundproofing door that has no bottom gap underneath it and one that is rated for soundproofing. A new solid door could be the solution to your noise issue.
Sound Dampening Acoustic Silent Foam
Soundproof your Walls:
Once the door has become soundproof, now it’s time to concentrate on the walls. If you live near a busy street with honking horns or near a busy intersection, the walls could use some help to block this noise. You have a few choices when soundproofing your walls. You can use a heavy mass loaded vinyl which is probably the best soundproof method for walls that you can get. Another way is to install soundproofing wall panels that attach one panel at a time. If you have one wall or all four that need soundproofing, you can use a cheaper method and go with foam based sheeting or plywood sheets. A special type of dampener can be used called green glue. This can be used in conjunction with new drywall sheets attached over your walls. There are many options for wall soundproofing so find the best solution for you and your budget.
Acoustic Wedge Studio Soundproofing Foam Wall Tiles
Mass Loaded Vinyl Acoustic Barrier For Walls
Floor soundproofing:
The next area of the room that can use soundproofing is the floor. If you have wood floors this makes sound able to pass through and also creates echoing. Installing carpet and using a super heavy dampening thick carpet pad the new carpet or existing carpet can silence just about any noise coming from below your floor. If this is not possible for you, consider buying large thick floor rugs and felt rug pads and putting 1 or 2 of them on the floor to help at least muffle the noises.
Felt Rug Pad Extra Thick Add Cushion Protection
Soundproof Windows:
Once the door, walls, and floor are soundproof, you need to have a look at the windows. You do not need double glass windows or anything super special for your windows. You could use a caulk that is acoustic absorbing. Use this type of caulk to seal around the window edges and try and fill any gaps or spacing you have that may be letting sound leak in. If this is not possible, consider buying heavy noise dampening curtains. Noise reducing curtains can block noise and light so you can sleep without sunlight coming into your room. These types of curtains are available in different thicknesses and colors so they won’t make your room too dark or unappealing.
Noise Blocking Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains
Green Glue Noise Proofing Compound
Do you have any comments about ways to soundproof a room in your home, office, or apartment? Please leave a comment or ask us questions below.
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