Soundproofing a room or apartment can dramatically improve your quality of life by reducing unwanted noise. Excessive noise can cause stress, sleep deprivation, and even health issues. The good news is there are many affordable DIY methods to soundproof your space effectively. With some simple upgrades and a bit of elbow grease, you can create a peaceful oasis right in your own home.
Why Soundproofing is Important
There are many benefits to soundproofing a room or apartment:
- Improves sleep – Exposure to noise pollution, especially during sleep hours, has been linked to poor sleep quality, frequent awakenings, and daytime drowsiness. Soundproofing eliminates disruptive noises so you can sleep soundly through the night.
- Enhances concentration – Noisy environments make it difficult to focus on tasks that require concentration like work, studying, reading, etc. Removing excess noise clears up mental bandwidth so you can concentrate better.
- Provides privacy – Soundproofing gives you acoustic privacy in your own home so you can relax, engage in conversations, or enjoy entertainment without bothering neighbors.
- Reduces stress – Persistent noise like traffic, construction, loud neighbors, etc can elevate stress hormones like cortisol. Minimizing noise creates a calming environment so you feel less stressed.
- Protects hearing health – Exposure to prolonged loud noises can lead to noise-induced hearing loss over time. Soundproofing limits hazardous decibel levels inside your home to prevent hearing damage.
How to Soundproof on a Budget
The good news is effective soundproofing does not have to be complicated or expensive. With some clever tips and affordable products, you can dramatically reduce noise transmission on a budget:
Identify Noise Sources
The first step is to identify the primary external and internal sources of noise you want to soundproof against.
Common external noises:
- Traffic – cars/trucks driving by, horns honking
- Construction – jackhammers, power tools, worker chatter
- Neighbors – voices, footsteps, kids playing, dogs barking
- Aircraft – airplane engine noise
- Live music venues – concerts, nightclubs
Common internal noises:
- Footsteps – especially in upstairs rooms if you live below neighbors
- Voices – talking, yelling, laughing, crying
- Doors slamming
- Plumbing – running water, flushing toilets
- Home theater – TV, movies, video games
- Musical instruments – piano, drums, singing
Knowing the primary noise sources will help you focus your soundproofing efforts effectively.
Seal Air Leaks
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to reduce noise transmission is by sealing any air gaps around doors, windows, electrical outlets, vents, etc. Noise leaks through these openings easily. Sealing them blocks sound from traveling in and out.
- Buy inexpensive foam weatherstripping and apply it around door frames and window sills to close gaps. Also apply weatherstripping around attic hatches.
- Use acoustic caulk to seal small openings around outlets, baseboards, vents and any cracks or holes in the walls. Acoustic caulk remains flexible when dry.
- Stuff any penetrations in walls with steel wool then seal over with acoustic caulk to obstruct sound.
- Seal underneath any baseboard heaters or air conditioning units with acoustic caulk.
- Install acoustic putty pads behind electrical outlet/switch plate covers to isolate those openings.
- Use door sweeps on exterior doors and automatic door bottoms on interior doors to block sound leaks at thresholds.
Add Insulation
Adding insulation is one of the most effective ways to soundproof a room. Insulation blocks noise by absorbing sound vibrations rather than allowing them to transmit through walls, ceilings and floors.
- In unfinished attics/basements, add blown-in cellulose insulation. This is an affordable way to insulate those spaces efficiently.
- For finished walls, use insulation batts like Roxul Safe’n’Sound. Place batts in wall cavities for noise blocking.
- To insulate floors, install cork underlayment beneath carpets, laminate flooring, or tile. Cork absorbs noise well.
- Use acoustic insulation spray foam to insulate odd-shaped spaces and cracks/crevices that standard insulation can’t reach. Spray foam expands and seals.
Soundproof Windows
Windows tend to be one of the weakest sound barriers in a home. Luckily there are affordable options to upgrade windows for noise reduction:
- Install acoustic curtains, which have noise-blocking properties through the use of mass-loaded materials and sound-absorbing fabrics. Hang them on windows to dampen noise.
- Apply acoustic window film, a thin plastic film that adheres directly to glass windows with adhesive. This reduces noise transmission through windows.
- For a permanent upgrade, replace glass windows with double pane or triple pane windows to reduce noise transfer significantly.
- If replacing windows entirely is not an option, add a secondary “window” inside the window frame using a product like indoor window inserts made of acrylic or laminate. This creates an additional air gap and barrier.
Soundproof Interior Walls
Interior walls linking rooms also transmit noise easily. To fortify interior walls:
- Attach mass loaded vinyl (MLV) sheets to walls using construction adhesive. MLV is a thin, flexible vinyl material containing dense minerals that block sound vibrations.
- Similarly, install acoustic drywall like QuietRock over existing drywall. Acoustic drywall incorporates viscoelastic polymers to absorb noise.
- For in-wall insulation, use soundproofing batts like Rockwool Safe’n’Sound that are denser than standard fiberglass. Friction fitting batts into wall cavities adds acoustic resistance.
- Alternatively, spray Green Glue between drywall sheets and secure using special clips/channels. As its name implies, Green Glue is a viscoelastic glue that dampens noise through walls.
Add Carpets and Rugs
Carpet and rugs are effective and affordable sound absorbers that can make a big difference in room acoustics. The dense cushioning helps minimize echo/reverb and absorbs foot traffic noise. Area rugs also allow flexibility to rearrange layouts.
- Install wall-to-wall carpeting over underlayment padding for maximum noise reduction. The thicker the better.
- Layer large area rugs over hard flooring – especially if noise comes from below. Rugs absorb ambient noise and footfalls.
- Use carpet tiles or ry rugs with attached padding instead of hard surfaces in basements or attics to reduce overhead noise transfer downstairs/upstairs.
Decouple Floors
Noise travels easily between floors. To minimize footfall noise transfer between upstairs/downstairs units:
- Install a floating floor – Basically plywood decking decoupled from the subfloor using foam. Floating floors isolate noise well and are cost effective.
- Use cork underlayment when installing laminate flooring. Cork naturally absorbs and blocks noise transmission.
- Place acoustic mats underneath exercise equipment like treadmills or speaker stands to prevent vibrations transferring through floors.
Add Soft Furnishings
Strategically placing sound absorbing furnishings can make a noticeable difference in room acoustics:
- Position sofas, armchairs and ottomans against walls that face noise sources. The soft, upholstered furniture absorbs noises.
- Bookcases filled with books act as natural sound diffusers when positioned along walls. Books scatter sound waves.
- Noise reducing curtains and wall tapestries absorb echoes and reverberation. Having furniture with cloth rather than leather or plastic upholstery also helps.
- Items like wall art, wall mirrors and small shelves help break up empty sections of wall space to diffuse sounds.
Advanced Soundproofing Options
For problematic noise sources, or if budget allows, consider these enhanced soundproofing upgrades:
Soundproof Ceilings
If overhead noise from upstairs neighbors is an issue, soundproofing the ceiling can help significantly:
- Install a “drop” ceiling – a secondary lower ceiling hung below the original ceiling. This double ceiling creates an air gap that reduces noise transfer.
- Spray acoustic treatment onto ceiling and walls using spray-on soundproofing containing viscoelastic polymers that absorb noise. Popular brands are Green Glue Noiseproofing and QuietSeal.
- Attach isolation clips then add an extra layer of drywall suspended from the ceiling to decouple the ceiling. Isolation clips minimize connection between layers.
- Add white noise machines or in-ceiling speakers playing ambient background noise to help mask unwanted sounds coming through the ceiling.
Soundproof Floors
Upgrading floors using special materials and installation methods results in outstanding noise blocking:
- Install a floating subfloor over concrete slab using a 2-3” thick layer of soundproofing material like cork, recycled denim or rubber. Floating subfloors work exceptionally well.
- Use soundproofing underlayment beneath laminate, engineered hardwood, tile or vinyl flooring. Popular options are cork, recycled denim and AcoustiCORK.
- Replace hard flooring with wall-to-wall carpet using thick padding. Carpeting helps absorb noise and vibration.
Soundproof Doors
Doors can be a major weak point for noise transfer. To fortify doors:
- Install a solid core door made of dense composite material instead of a hollow core door. Solid doors block more noise.
- Add door seals like sweeps, rugs and automatic door bottoms to close gap between the door and floor when shut.
- Upgrade hinges to gravity hinges or hydraulic door closers that prevent slammed doors. Slowly closing doors minimize noise.
- Cover doors in acoustic materials like Mass Loaded Vinyl to add mass and vibration damping. Apply acoustic seals around the door frame too.
Room Within a Room
The “room within a room” technique involves building a new inner wall structure decoupled from exterior walls using resilient channels and multiple drywall layers. This nearly eliminates noise transfer from the original walls. While intensive, superior sound isolation is achieved if done properly.
Final Tips for Soundproofing Success
Get your space ultra-quiet with these additional pointers:
- Prioritize problem areas first – focus on the noisiest walls or ceilings bordering noise sources.
- Combat noise frequencies – use a mix of absorption for high frequencies and mass for low frequencies.
- Add absorption – carpets, rugs, curtains and soft furniture help absorb echoes.
- Break up flat surfaces – scatter sound energy with shelves, wall hangings and varied wall layouts.
- Seal ductwork – use acoustic duct sealant to prevent noise transfer through HVAC systems.
- Insulate pipes – wrap water pipes with insulation to prevent water noise conduction.
With some strategic planning and affordable upgrades, you can effectively soundproof any room or apartment and enjoy peace and quiet. Experiment to find the ideal noise reduction solutions specific to your space and problem noises. Just remember that every small improvement contributes to turning down the volume overall.
Frequently Asked Questions About Soundproofing a Room or Apartment
Soundproofing a room or apartment effectively gets easier when you know the answers to these common questions:
What are the cheapest ways to soundproof?
Some of the most affordable yet effective soundproofing solutions include caulking gaps, adding weatherstripping, using rugs and carpets, installing acoustic curtains, and hanging sound-absorbing wall art and furnishings.
What materials work best for soundproofing?
The most common soundproofing materials are mass loaded vinyl, acoustic caulk, Green Glue, cork underlayment, insulation, acoustic drywall, and floating floors/subfloors. Combining absorbent and dense materials in walls is ideal.
How much does professional soundproofing cost?
The cost to soundproof professionally can range from $2,000 to $5,000 for a small to medium sized room depending on the methods used. DIY soundproofing can cost as little as a few hundred dollars.
Does insulation help soundproofing?
Yes, insulation like Roxul Safe’n’Sound works very well to absorb noise and block sound transfer through walls, floors and ceilings. Fiberglass alone does not block noise as well. Combining insulation with other barriers is most effective.
Should I soundproof ceiling or walls?
If noise comes from upstairs neighbors, soundproofing the ceiling should take priority. If noise transfers through side walls, focus first on reinforcing the walls. Doing both ceilings and walls provides complete acoustic isolation.
Does Green Glue work for soundproofing?
Green Glue is a popular viscoelastic product used to “damp” vibrations in walls which reduces noise transmission very effectively. It works best when sandwiched between layers of drywall.
How long does soundproofing take?
The time involved depends on the size of the space and the methods used. Small, simple upgrades like weatherstripping could take an afternoon. Larger projects like installing ceiling drywall clips or floating subfloors could take several days to over a week.
Conclusion
I hope this comprehensive guide gives you plenty of affordable ideas to finally soundproof that noisy room or apartment. With so many ingenious materials and clever techniques available today, DIY soundproofing is an achievable project. Give several methods a try to determine what works best for your specific needs. In no time, you’ll be enjoying a peaceful, noise-free oasis without spending a fortune. Here’s to keeping unwanted noise where it belongs – outside your home!