Whether more sleep or less disturbance is the priority – soundproofing a bedroom, office, or other type of room can make a big difference in day-to-day life.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to make a room soundproof. We’ll cover the key principles of soundproofing a room, before offering practical advice on soundproofing your walls, windows, doors, and ceiling.
Skip to:
- Key principles of soundproofing a room
- Soundproofing walls
- Soundproofing windows
- Soundproofing doors
- Soundproofing ceilings
- Soundproofing floors
Key principles of soundproofing a room
At this point, it’s worth recapping on the basic principles of soundproofing:
Whether it’s a living room, bedroom, bathroom or basement, the basics of soundproofing are to 1) fill any gaps via which sound can enter or leave and 2) add mass to the structures of the room.
Sealing gaps in and around the structures and entry points of your property (including walls, windows, doors, ceilings, and floors), reduces the noise that goes in and out of a room.
Adding mass with soundproofing materials provides ways to absorb sound waves and reduce noise.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to make a room soundproof; including ways that you can seal gaps around your room, as well as add mass with soundproofing materials.
Why are soundproofing materials soft? That’s because softer materials (such as foam or mass loaded vinyl (MLV)) absorb and block sound, while hard materials (such as metal or marble) amplify them.
These soundproofing materials may have a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) – this number is a measurement of effective the material prevents the reflection of sound and absorbs the sound waves.
How does NRC work?
NRC represents the percentage of sound that the surface of a material absorbs.
For example, if a foam acoustic panel has an NRC rating of 0.4, that means it absorbs 40 percent of the sound that hits it.
NRC ratings range from 0 to 1.0
How to soundproof a wall
There are several ways that you can reduce the noise entering your room through walls. Let’s talk about them:
Adding another layer of drywall
Drywall, also known as wallboard, is large sheeting that is used as a finishing material on the outer layer of your wall, underneath wallpaper.
While there are easier and cheaper methods, adding another layer of drywall to your existing wall can be key for soundproofing.
An additional drywall layer can also allow you to install soundproofing material such as mass loaded vinyl (MLV) beneath it, forming an effective barrier to sound. The MLV can be installed on the outside of your existing wall, before the new layer is added.
You can purchase soundproofing drywall that provides a sound transmission barrier several times more effective than normal drywall. Combined with a soundproofing blocker material such as MLV, it can make all the difference when it comes to noisy neighbours.
Adding mass with soundproofing material
There’s a range of soundproofing material available, from sound blockers such as MLV to sound absorbers like acoustic foam. Some composite products include a combination of blocking and absorbing properties.
For effectiveness, not to mention aesthetics, soundproofing material is best installed directly in the framing of your wall. Watch this video on installing MLV to a wall frame.
But if a wall is finished, this can take time and cost money. Try adding MLV or acoustic foam in between layers of drywall for a quicker and less costly solution. The soundproofing material is stapled and stuck on your existing drywall, before another layer of drywall is installed on top.
You might need a professional for this task, but if you fancy giving it a go, here is a DIY guide for installing MLV.
Combining another layer of drywall with a layer of soundproofing material such as MLV will block noise transmission from the other side of the wall.
You can expect a sound transmission class (STC) rating improvement of 7-8, meaning you are cutting noise by 7-8 dB. So if your normal wall had an STC rating of 33, adding MLV and another layer of drywall could push it up over 40.
Acoustic panels
Installing acoustic panels is accepted as one of the most effective ways to improve room acoustics, rather than soundproof in the truest sense. The sound-absorbing materials reduce the reflection of sound waves off your walls.
Acoustic panels are usually made from wooden frames with foam on the inside. The foam is an excellent absorber of noise across any frequency. It can reduce echoes within a room.
Being especially effective in absorbing and dampening noise, acoustic panels are suitable for apartments, offices, and recording studios, but also to create a peaceful sleeping environment in a bedroom.
Soundproof wallpaper
Soundproof wallpaper is another option you might want to look at when improving your walls’ noise reduction qualities. It’s simply wallpaper made from material that absorbs sound, such as foam.
As well as helping you to manage your room’s acoustics, soundproof wallpaper is cheaper than you might think. It’s easy to install, being simply pasted and stuck.
Finally on this option – you needn’t worry about an interior design faux pas, as you’ll find there’s a big variety of styles to choose from.
Add shelves or bookcases
If it’s a suitable room, why not add some shelves or bookcases? These fittings and the objects within them do a good job of absorbing sound and reducing noise by helping to dissipate soundwaves.
For those of you trying to adjust the noise from the next room by a margin, shelves could be the easy answer. They make a difference while not requiring you to give your room a ‘facelift’.
How to soundproof a window
You may be surrounded by walls, but the truth is windows represent a more open entry point for noise. It’s important to address windows when considering how to make a room soundproof.
“But I have double glazing”, we hear you protest. That may be the case, but make no mistake – even with double glazing, your windows will typically let in significantly more sound than your walls.
Luckily, there are plentiful solutions for soundproofing windows. Let’s start with one method we’ve already mentioned; double glazing:
Install double glazing
Double glazing is a great way to limit noise coming in through your windows if you can afford it.
For homes and workplaces in quieter areas, double glazing may be all you need to bring down the volume from outside to an acceptable level.
You can expect double glazing to cost $10,000 or more, but it can provide insulation for noise reduction without taking anything away from the appearance of your windows. A cheaper alternative is retrofit double glazing – this converts your windows from single to double glazing using the existing joinery.
Seal air gaps
From a ‘nice to have’ to an absolute must: While double glazing can make a difference, sealing your existing air gaps should be a priority.
Use a good acoustic sealant like acoustic caulk to fill gaps around the edges of your windows. Not only will this keep out noise, but it will also help you to regulate temperature.
Before you get sealing, you’ll have to remove any existing molding around your window. After running a bead of acoustic sealant along the gaps or cracks at the edges of your window, run a finger along the edges to ensure that you’ve covered any potential entry points. This will test for any draught or airflow.
Noise reduction curtains
An excellent noise reduction option for your windows.
You can find noise reduction curtains in several styles and materials including polyester, cotton, and velvet. The insulating material they are made from can block and absorb waves.
Noise reduction curtains also offer a range of other benefits such as increasing privacy, shutting out light, thermal insulation, and improving acoustics.
If you are just looking to reduce the noise a notch, you could consider double cell shades instead.
Storm windows
Storm windows are an extra layer of glass that sit on the outside, protecting your existing windows.
As the name suggests, storm windows protect against extreme weather. But they can also do a good job of blocking sound transmission, reducing the noise coming through your windows.
Storm windows are usually manufactured from acrylic, a durable glass substitute.
If you have single pane windows, storm windows can be a good alternative to double glazing, being cheaper but offering many of the same benefits, including noise reduction, thermal insulation and protection.
Window plugs
Window plugs can be custom-made by manufacturers or yourself. They consist of boards made of wood or medium density fiberboard (MDF), soundproof matting, and acoustic insulation. Window plugs are measured precisely to fit snugly within your window, and can be taken out easily with handles that are attached.
Be aware that window plugs will shut out light completely, and they may not be easy on the eye. However, they are one of the most effective noise reduction methods for windows and aren’t permanent. A possibility for recording studios or offices on busy streets.
How to soundproof a door
Once you’ve reduced the noise coming through the windows of your room, you should switch your focus to your door.
Along with windows, doors may be the other most important entry point for sound that you need to address. Filling gaps and adding mass are the two basic principles behind how to soundproof a door, and this can be done in a number of ways.
Sealing gaps with fittings
A door sweep is one of the most common methods for sealing the gap at the bottom of a door. Coming in a U-shape design made of a material such as vinyl or rubber, or a metal strip, door sweeps are simply attached with glue or Velcro.
Another option to seal gaps at the bottom of your door is a door threshold.
You might also look at a gasket, which blocks the spaces all around a door. These are usually installed with wooden or metal flanges that are stuck with self-adhesive strips or fastened with screws. For both simplicity and effectiveness, we recommend self-adhesive vinyl door gaskets.
Adding mass to the door
If you knock on your existing door and hear an echo, it’s probably a hollow core door. Replacing your door entirely with a solid core door adds mass, giving you a better barrier for stopping noise from entering. This is a more expensive option that can suit home offices, studios, or nurseries.
Other ways of adding mass to soundproof your door include; soundproof blankets, made from fiberglass, and stuck with Velcro or hung from grommets; mass loaded vinyl (MLV), slightly more expensive than soundproof blankets, offering a thicker solution that is placed with self-adhesive on the inner side of the door; and acoustic panels, made from foam or wood, a budget-friendly self-adhesive option that can absorb sound, reducing echo and reverberation.
How to soundproof a ceiling
Soundproofing walls, windows, and doors can go a long way to shutting out external sounds. If a room is beneath a frequently used space, you may also want to consider soundproofing your ceiling.
Whether it’s noise from neighbors in the apartment above, or footsteps from a kid’s bedroom in a landed property, soundproofing your ceiling can reduce noise and make life more peaceful.
As always, our two main soundproofing aims should be a) to add mass to the existing ceiling and b) to fill any gaps.
Most ceilings won’t have any gaps – therefore, consider the following options for soundproofing a ceiling:
Adding layers of drywall
Unless you’re experienced in DIY, you’ll probably need to call in the professionals for this method.
Adding a second layer of drywall adds mass and effectively blocks, noise. You can augment the drywall with a coating of textured paint for extra absorption.
What is drywall? – drywall is a material that is used to construct ceilings and walls. It is made from a soft material called gypsum (a mineral that consists of calcium sulfate) and offers sound absorption for noise reduction.
Acoustic ceiling tiles
Acoustic ceiling tiles do a good job of absorbing sound and reducing reverberation around a space.
They are lightweight, easy to clean by wiping, and relatively simple to install. You can find acoustic ceiling tiles in a range of color options, so matching them with your interior design needn’t be a worry.
Feel ready for the job of installing acoustic ceiling tiles? The basic method is to measure your ceiling to ensure you have the right amount of tiles. Clean your ceiling, and then stick on the tiles using cement or self adhesive.
Here is a step-by-step guide to installing acoustic ceiling tiles
More complex methods to soundproof your ceiling
With professionals at your disposal, there are many more ways to construct a ceiling that absorbs and blocks sound effectively.
If you have the time and money, a new ceiling structure can be built using a combination of various materials.
New ceiling systems using acoustic membranes, insulation, and soundblock plasterboard can do the job on wooden or concrete ceilings.
Ask your trusted builder for the most effective way of constructing a new ceiling using soundproofing methods.
How to soundproof floors
Soundproofing the floor of a room can be crucial to reducing noise traveling through to the room downstairs. Whether the room below is part of your property, or a neighbor’s, there are several options for dampening sound coming through the floor.
Carpets and rugs
This age-old way of flooring doesn’t just offer comfort and let you walk around in your bare feet, it is also a top noise reducer!
As you’ll know, there are all manner of materials and styles to choose from.
Top Tip – You can get specialist carpet and rug liners (also known as underlay) that fit underneath your carpet and rug, giving your floor added protection and providing more sound absorption to reduce noise. Here’s a carpet liner on Amazon
Rubber flooring
This can be especially useful for rooms used for workouts. Who wants to hear somebody pounding away doing squat jumps upstairs?!
Not only can rubber mats and tiles provide cushioning and protect the floor (as well as your bones), but they also do a good job of reducing noise.
You’ll find a variety of rubber floor mats – here are some interlocking floor mats we found on Amazon
Deck screws
If a squeaky wooden floor is the problem, install deck screws.
After removing any carpet, tiles or, rugs, they are drilled into your floorboards to secure them more tightly to the framing below. This sorts out the squeaking.
You might want to call in a handyman to take care of this job. But you can also do it yourself with simple household tools including a drill.
