Soundproof wall dividers can make life a little easier to live. They bring the noise level and provide separation in homes, offices, and studios. Read this article and discover a bit more about them
What are these wall dividers made of and how do they work? Just how much do these wall dividers reduce noise? Which are the best ones? And are there homemade alternatives…
Skip to:
- What are soundproof wall dividers?
- How they work
- Best soundproof wall dividers: 3 reliable noise-reducing separators
- DIY partition ideas
What are soundproof wall dividers?
Soundproof wall dividers are portable or semi-permanent barriers designed to divide a room while minimizing the transmission of sound from one area to another.
They differ from ordinary room dividers in that they are constructed with sound-absorbing or sound-blocking materials, offering acoustic control in addition to visual privacy.
Where are soundproof wall dividers used?
👉 Dividing bedrooms in shared apartments
👉 Creating temporary meeting rooms in open office plans
👉 Sectioning off music rehearsal or recording spaces
👉 Quiet zones in libraries or schools
👉 Sound-isolated study or meditation nooks at home
How they work
Soundproof dividers can do 2 things for you (apart from the visual dividing).
They can absorb sound to reduce echo and make everything sound better. And they can block sound to bring the volume down:
- Sound absorption: Materials like acoustic foam, fabric, or fiberglass reduce echo and dampen airborne sound waves.
- Sound blocking (Mass-Loaded): Heavier materials such as mass loaded vinyl (MLV), MDF, or acoustic panels block sound from passing through
Some high-performance dividers combine both methods for optimal results.
How much do they reduce the volume?
While they are not going to reduce noise as much as a solid wall, these soundproof divider things can make a difference – don’t underestimate them!
🔍 Look for the STC rating (Sound Transmission Class) of each divider
The simplest, non-geekiest way we can describe this is how much noise transmission the divider (or any material) will shave off.
An STC rating measures how well a product reduces sound transfer. Higher STC ratings mean better soundproofing. A rating of 25-35 is typical for portable partitions; permanent ones can go higher – that means that they reduce noise transfer by 25-35 dB, which means although you will still be able to hear some types of noise, it should make a significant difference.
🔍 Also check out the material composition
Look for multi-layered materials. A good soundproof divider might include:
✅ Acoustic fabric or polyester
✅ MDF or gypsum core
✅ Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)
✅ Acoustic foam backing
Performance expectations – No soundproof wall dividers are 100% soundproof, but they can certainly make a difference. Entry-level acoustic dividers typically provide 10-15 dB of noise reduction, which is noticeable but modest. Mid-range options usually achieve 15-25 dB reduction.
Best soundproof wall dividers: 3 reliable noise-reducing separators
1. Portable Room Divider
A portable room divider will give you the flexibility of using your wall divider when and where you need it. This Hush Screen from Versare is versatile enough to be used in the office or in a home studio and has a range of color schemes:
Versare Hush Screen Portable Room Divider – features sound-dampening acoustical fiberglass panels. Easily portable to separate a range of spaces, with the option of wheels, and made in the USA.
Best for: All rounder for offices or home
2. Room Divider Curtain
A cheap and cheerful option best suited to dividing rooms in residential properties. Get a soundproof curtain from a reputable manufacturer and you can also serve 3 other purposes – keeping your part of the room dark, insulated (a stable temperature), and a privacy shield. The Moondream curtain below is a good example:
Moondream 4-in-1 Soundproof Room Divider Curtain – the dense cotton of these Moondream curtains – which come in 5 color options – will reduce noise by around 10 dB. They will also reduce echo around the space (+ give you privacy, insulation and darkness).
Best for: Dividing residential rooms
3. Soundproof Cubicle Kit
If you need a soundproof wall divider for an office space, a one sided partition won’t do the trick. You need at least 3 sides covered to make a difference with noise and privacy, and that’s where soundproof cubicle kits can make a difference. They are sound dampening, you can configure them in many ways depending on your office layout, and there are loads of sizes and color schemes.
Versare Hush Panel Cubicle Kit – if you are serious about reducing noise with your office partitions, take a look at this cubicle kit with enhanced sound-dampening and acoustics control. These panels are also lightweight and durable.
Best for: Reducing sound transmission in shared office
DIY partition ideas
If you’re on a tighter budget or enjoy a bit of hands-on creativity, here are some DIY soundproofing ideas:
Acoustic blanket divider
💡 Hang moving blankets or industrial acoustic blankets from a ceiling track or rod.
💡 Add grommets for easy suspension.
💡 Optional: Sandwich MLV or foam panels between two blankets for improved performance.
Bookshelf as a sound blocker
💡 Fill a large, tall bookshelf with books, fabric boxes, or foam inserts.
💡 Position it between two areas as a physical sound barrier.
💡 Bonus: Doubles as storage!
DIY fabric-wrapped panel wall
💡 Build wooden frames and wrap them with acoustic fabric and foam.
💡 Mount them on wheels or stands for a mobile divider.
💡 Use MLV in the core for better sound-blocking.
