Turn down the volume and reclaim your peace and quiet with our comprehensive guide to soundproofing a room. Whether you’re a light sleeper bombarded by street noise or a musician looking to create a quiet oasis for recording, we’ve got you covered. In this article, you’ll discover a range of techniques and products to help muffle noise, from simple DIY fixes to professional-grade solutions.
Silencing the Noise is a brand committed to helping people find tranquillity in their living spaces, and our expertise in soundproofing shines through in this guide. We’ll walk you through the process step by step, starting with identifying the sources of noise in your room and assessing their impact. From there, we’ll explore various soundproofing methods, such as using acoustic panels, soundproof curtains, and weatherstripping. We’ll also delve into advanced techniques like soundproof drywall and double-glazed windows to provide you with the most effective sound insulation possible.
No more sleepless nights or distractions – it’s time to create a haven of calm in your own home. Join us as we take the first steps towards silencing the noise.
Table of Contents
How do I begin to start Soundproofing a Room?
It was 2022, there was a renovation in the building near my flat in New York. The Sound was too loud to handle. So, I started to explore how I minimize the sound effects in my room.
After a week of research soundproofing is the ultimate solution that came into my mind. So, I started to think about how could I start soundproofing a room.
Things To Read:
- Top 10 Best Quiet Hair Dryers – You must consider
- 13+ Best Portable Generator that is Quiet for Camping
- Essential Guide on How To Quiet A Noisy Refrigerator Compressor
- Block Out Unwanted Sounds and Enjoy Peaceful Living with a Sealed Garage Door
- Top 13+ Best Acoustic Panels to SoundProof Your Surrounding
I came up with lots of hurdles during the whole process and I am with the help of this article, we are going to simplify the whole process “From start to End”.
How much space do You have in Your Room?
Before you start to soundproof a room, you need to consider the sound level of the area where you are living, the space of the room you want to soundproof and the things you are going to place in that room.
For Example, A Studio built to cater for the Video content creation process needs a different configuration compared to the needs of the living room. A living room needs little sound as in zero sound a person might get suffocated while if a Studio has little sound, the whole video production will be destroyed.
Understanding noise and its impact
According to the report published by the Government of the USA, 104 million individuals had annual LEQ(24) levels > 70 dBA (equivalent to a continuous average exposure level of >70 dBA over 24 hr) in 2013 and were at risk of noise-induced hearing loss.
The condition is also getting more severe day by day, Now a day according to an estimate more than 220 million individuals in the USA are at risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Out of these people, more than 1% of people are at risk because of the sound produced inside homes or offices.
Normally a loud hair dryer is used to produce 70 to 100 dB of sound and a hair dryer is considered Quiet when it produces a noise of around 50 dB. Before marching towards the Best Quiet Hair Dryer available in the market.
Benefits of soundproofing a room
When we soundproof our room, we come up with lots of benefits, Some of the basic benefits are listed below:
- Improved concentration: Soundproofing a room can help reduce outside noise, allowing for better focus and concentration on tasks or activities.
- Better sleep: Soundproofing can create a more peaceful and quiet environment, promoting better sleep and rest.
- Privacy: Soundproofing a room can help maintain privacy by preventing sound from travelling in or out of the space.
- Enhanced acoustics: Soundproofing can improve the overall acoustics of a room, making it more suitable for music practice, recording, or watching movies.
- Reduced stress: A quieter environment can contribute to a sense of calm and relaxation, reducing stress and anxiety.
- Increased property value: Soundproofing a room can add value to a property by creating a more desirable and comfortable living or working space.
- Health benefits: Exposure to excessive noise can have negative effects on physical and mental health, so soundproofing can help mitigate these risks.
- Better communication: Soundproofing can improve communication by reducing background noise and distractions, making it easier to have conversations or meetings in the room.
Common misconceptions about soundproofing
Common misconceptions about soundproofing include:
- Soundproofing eliminates all noise: While soundproofing can significantly reduce the amount of noise that enters or exits a room, it cannot completely eliminate all sound. There will still be some level of noise transmission, especially with very loud or low-frequency sounds.
- Soundproofing is only for music studios: While soundproofing is important for music studios and recording spaces, it is also valuable for homes, offices, and commercial buildings to create a more peaceful and private environment.
- Soundproofing is too expensive: While some soundproofing solutions can be costly, there are also budget-friendly options available. Additionally, the long-term benefits of soundproofing, such as improved concentration and better sleep, can outweigh the initial investment.
- Soundproofing is only about adding insulation: While adding insulation can help with soundproofing, there are many other techniques and materials, such as acoustic panels, soundproof curtains, and double-glazed windows, that can be used to effectively reduce noise transmission.
- Soundproofing is only for new construction: Soundproofing can be implemented in existing buildings as well. There are various retrofitting options available to improve the soundproofing of a room, such as adding soundproofing materials to walls, ceilings, and floors.
There are a lot more misconceptions but the above 5 are the biggest misconceptions you may used to suffer in the whole process.
DIY soundproofing vs. hiring professionals for Room
DIY soundproofing involves using materials and techniques to reduce noise transmission in a room without the help of a professional. This can include adding insulation to walls, using soundproof curtains or blankets, or installing acoustic panels. DIY soundproofing can be cost-effective, but it may not be as effective as hiring a professional.
Hiring professionals for soundproofing involves working with experienced technicians who can assess the specific needs of a room and provide customized soundproofing solutions. This can include using advanced materials and techniques, such as double-glazed windows, resilient channels, and sound isolation clips. Professional soundproofing can be more expensive than DIY solutions, but it can provide a higher level of noise reduction and better overall results.
The decision to choose DIY soundproofing vs. hiring professionals depends on several factors, including the level of noise reduction needed, the budget, and the complexity of the project. Simple DIY solutions may be sufficient for reducing noise in a small room or home office, while larger or more complex projects may require the expertise of a professional.
It is important to note that improper soundproofing techniques or materials can actually make noise transmission worse, so it is important to research and understand the best practices for soundproofing before attempting a DIY solution. Additionally, hiring a professional can provide peace of mind and ensure that the soundproofing is done correctly and effectively.
Soundproofing Materials and Products
Soundproofing materials and products are designed to reduce the transmission of sound from one area to another. These materials can include insulation, acoustic panels, soundproof curtains, soundproof windows, soundproof doors, and soundproofing foams. Each material is engineered to absorb, block, or dampen sound waves, thereby reducing the amount of noise that passes through it.
These products are commonly used in buildings, homes, offices, and vehicles to create a quieter and more peaceful environment. Soundproofing materials and products are also used in recording studios, theatres, and other spaces where sound quality is important. Overall, soundproofing materials and products are essential for creating a controlled acoustic environment and reducing the impact of noise on the surrounding area.
We have learnt the basics we need to soundproof a room. Now, we are going to discuss “How to soundproof a room?”
How to Soundproof a Room?
Soundproofing a room is complex as it has “Four walls, window, Gate, Floor, and a ceiling. All of these require different soundproofing materials to be fully functional in nature. so, let us discuss these all in a descriptive manner:
Four Walls of Room
Before you start soundproofing the wall of the room, you need to check “Does any side of the wall face the road or not?”
If the Wall does not face the road then it is better to use acoustic paint to paint the wall. It will make more than 40% less sound will reach your room while in the case of the studio or creativity room you need to use only vinyl and acoustic foam to soundproof the room.
If the wall faces a busy road, then vinyl and acoustic foam is the best and only possible method or technique to soundproof the room. It will help you to decrease the sound level by more than 80%.
Some of the most efficient acoustic foam panels are listed below:
TRUE NORTH Acoustic Foam Panels
TRUE NORTH Acoustic Foam Panels is one of the most powerful soundproofing panels on the market. It comes in three variants – 1 Inch, 2 Inches, and 3-inch foam.
| Thickness | 1 Inch | 2 Inches | 6 Inches | 10 Inches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 12 Square Feet | 12 Square Feet | 8 Square Feet | 13.3 Square Feet |
| Density | 30kg/m3 | 30kg/m3 | 25kg/m3 | 25kg/m3 |
| Flame Resistant | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Non-Toxic | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Quantity | 12 Pieces | 12 Pieces | 8 Pieces | 8 Pieces |
| Noise Reduction Coefficient | 0.40 | 0.60 | 1.20 | 2.11 |
When You check the rating of this acoustic panel on Amazon, you will it has a 4-star rating out of 5. I used this panel in past to soundproof my studio, and after implementing this panel, I got phenomenal success in soundproofing.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Value for Money;
- Most of the Case, it is delivered within two days;
- Easy to Install
- Price starts from $22 for 12 Panels
Cons:
- Hard to Customize
- Take too much time during installation
2. LIGHTDESIRE 12 Pack Self-Adhesive Sound Proof Foam Panels
LIGHTDESIRE 12 Pack Self-Adhesive Sound Proof Foam Panels is one of my favourite Acoustic Panels on the market as it comes with Self-Adhesive. So, you do not need to paste adhesive while these panels are in your home or office.
I installed this panel in my bedroom. It works phenomenally and requires very little time to install in comparison to other panels available in the market.
It has a dimension of 12 X 12 X 2 inches with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. It is going to cost you $32 for every 12 panels.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Value for Money;
- Most of the Case, it is delivered within two days;
- Easy to Install with built-in Adhesive
- Price starts from $32 for 12 Panels
Cons:
- Hard to Customize
- Take too much time during installation
Window:
Windows used to take a crucial place in the soundproofing a room as in most cases majority of the sound used to come from windows or doors only.
So, you need to have curtains to cover the window and adhesive to seal the cracks between the wall and the window.
Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout Soundproof Curtains
Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout is one of the Best Curtain For Noise Reduction available in the market which is produced and marketed by Amazon itself. I purchased it in the initial days of 2020.
In my experience, it offered a noise reduction of 40 to 60% upfront. It is made up of 240 GSM polyester fabric which makes it one the Best Curtain For Noise Reduction with very few health issues.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Cost-effective in nature
- Made up of 240 GSM polyester fabric
- Machine Washable Colors
- 4.5 out of 5 Star rated curtain
Cons:
NICETOWN High-End Thermal Curtains
NICETOWN High-End Thermal Curtains is one of the finest Curtains available For Noise Reduction in the market. It is an 84-inch Long soundproofing curtain made especially for the Dining Room and soundproof Window.
It is a 5 out of 5 stared product made up of Polyester with thousands of sales globally. In the mid of 2020, I purchased this soundproofing curtain to soundproof my dining room and found it too efficient as it helps to decrease sound pollution in my dying room by 65%.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Cost-effective in nature
- Made up of 280 GSM polyester fabric
- Machine Washable Colors
- 5 out of 5 Star rated curtain
Cons:
- Lots of Stains
Gate:
The gate used to play almost the same role compared to the window and you have to follow almost the same procedure to soundproof the Fate for your room.
Conclusion and final thoughts
Hope You like the article on soundproofing a room, if you think we have missed anything to mention or ask please comment below;
Born in Delhi (INDIA), I created this to share my 4 Years of experience in the SoundProofing Industry.
