Distractions ruin productivity. Learn how to soundproof an office and you can create a more productive, peaceful workplace.

This article deals with how to cut out external noise and improve acoustics within an office environment.

You’ll have access to some easy, quick-fix DIY solutions. But there are also details of more advanced soundproofing techniques and structural strategies.

Skip to:

• Understanding sound transmission
• Quick wins: Start with these simple solutions
• Intermediate office soundproofing
• Advanced office soundproofing
• Budget-friendly tips and tricks
• How to soundproof an office: FAQs

---

Understanding sound transmission

Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand how sound travels. Sound moves through air and solid materials as vibrations. Two types of sound need to be addressed:

• Airborne sound: Speech, music, and other sounds that travel through the air
• Impact sound: Footsteps, furniture moving, and vibrations that travel through solid structures

Let’s wheel out one of our favorite infographics to illustrate the point:

---

Quick wins: Start with these simple solutions

Whether you are looking to shut out noise from outside your office, cut down noise transmission in between rooms, or improve sound quality – there are some quick fixes that make a huge difference:

Seal the gaps

Sound, like water, will find any available path to enter a space. Start by identifying and sealing these common weak points:

• Apply weatherstripping around doors and windows – this will ensure that these entry points are tightly sealed, with little room for noise to enter or escape.

• Use door sweeps to close gaps under doors – the gap between doors and the floor is a repeat offender, and door sweeps do the important job of closing it.

• Caulk any visible cracks in walls or around window frames – if your office is suffering from the sound of traffic or other external noise, you should check that walls and window frames aren’t leaking noise, particularly in older buildings. 

• Cover electrical outlets with foam gaskets – these are a commonly overlooked entry point for noise

These simple fixes can significantly reduce sound transmission and in most cases, they’ll cost you less than $50 in total.

Add soft surfaces

Hard surfaces reflect sound. Within your office, they’ll create echo and allow noise to travel further. The result? Horrible acoustics that make meetings, video calls and everyday communication in your office unpleasant. 

So, introduce soft materials to help absorb sound:

• Place an area rug on hard flooring – you might be amazed at how far a rug goes to take the edge off echo and reverb in an office space. It’ll also make office live more comfortable for your team and improve the look of your office.

• Hang curtains or drapes (the heavier, the better) — they don’t even have to be soundproof curtains; curtains and drapes keep external noise down while also helping acoustics because they absorb sound waves. 

• Add throw pillows to seating areas  – simple but effective, pillows are decent sound absorbers and will add to office comfort levels. 

---

Intermediate office soundproofing

To step up your soundproofing game and long term noise reduction, think about the following:

Window treatments

Especially if you are suffering from external noise; look to the windows. You could: 

• Install cellular shades or honeycomb blinds – these will act as an extra barrier for external noise while giving you the added benefits of keeping out the noise and regulating temperature. 

• Add soundproof curtains with multiple layers – the best soundproof curtains have multiple layers, making them much more effective sound blockers.

Wall treatments

Did you know that you can make walls more effective at blocking and absorbing sound, without having to make large-scale structural changes. You could: 

• Install acoustic panels – great for avoiding nasty echoey offices; acoustics panels come in decorative designs to fit with your interior.

• Hang heavy tapestries or fabric wall art – crank up the sophistication levels with artworks that soak up sound while adding a touch of class.

• Use mass-loaded vinyl barriers behind artwork – artworks make a great camouflage for one of the ultimate sound blockers; mass loaded vinyl (MLV).

• Add bookshelf units filled with books – they make excellent sound absorbers, reducing echo and reverb.

Door upgrades

Doors are another common weak point that lets noise enter from room to room. To get serious on your soundproofing, you could: 

• Replace hollow-core doors with solid-core versions – the hollower the door, the more likely it is to be a noise distraction offender.

• Install automatic door bottoms that seal when closed – this method can be even more effective than door sweeps, ensuring a complete seal.

• Add acoustic seal kits around the door frame – door seal kits come with weatherstripping that goes along the top and sides of the door.

---

Advanced office soundproofing

Are you designing and building a workplace from scratch? Or perhaps you have permission for structural modifications? There are many significant improvements you could make in this regard:

Structural improvements

If you own your space or have permission for modifications:

• Add an extra layer of drywall with Green Glue compound – this will reduce external noise and noise between rooms a lot.

• Install resilient channels before new drywall – this structural feature reduces noise transmission through walls and makes a big difference.

• Create a floating floor system to reduce impact noise – if it’s noise traveling from an upstairs or to a downstairs floor that’s the problem, a floating floor system can reduce the noises of footsteps (impact noise) and voices (airborne noise).

HVAC considerations

Unfortunately, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems let sound travel through them. But there are ways around this. You could:

• Install acoustic duct liners – this insulation will reduce sound transmission.

• Use flexible duct connections – these strips of fabric and metal which connect fans with ventilation ducts while also reducing noise transmission.

• Add sound maze baffles in vents – by adding a sound maze in your vents, you can major disrupt the pathways for sound around your HVAC system.

---

Budget-friendly tips and tricks

Are you are fledgling start-up which is watching the cents? Or perhaps your business is trying to cut out moderate noise distractions on a budget? Herer are some tips and tricks to keep the noise, and your spend, down:

DIY solutions

Save money with these creative approaches:

👉Create your own acoustic panels using mineral wool and fabric

👉 Use moving blankets as temporary sound barriers

👉 Position bookshelves strategically to add mass to walls

Strategic furniture placement

How you arrange your space matters:

👉 Position desks away from shared walls

👉 Use tall bookcases against walls shared with noisy areas

👉 Create buffer zones with storage units

👉 Arrange seating to face away from noise sources

---

How to soundproof an office: FAQs