Is there a room in your house that you need to keep all the noise contained within? It’s not uncommon to want to do this, but many people don’t know how to effectively soundproof a room. Whether it’s a home music studio or an entertainment room, there are plenty of reasons you might want a completely soundproofed room.
The problem is, it’s not always a cheap or easy process. You’ll need to think of everything, and here are a few tips to help you through.
Acoustic panels
One of the best ways to soundproof a room is by using acoustic panels. These can be purchased and attached to the wall, but naturally that comes at a cost. It’s also not the most aesthetically pleasing, but if it’s a serious music or entertainment room, you may not mind.
These panels are made from products like soft foam rubber, cork and dense polyester fibre. SO, they don’t look great, but it definitely keeps the noise where it belongs.
For a slightly less effective but cheaper and easier option, any kind of soft material on your walls will help dampen the noise. This might be tapestries, blankets or quilts, however you may not want them to be a permanent wall fixture.
Weatherstrip your doors
Another sneaky trick for blocking noise is to weatherstrip your internal doors. It’s usually only external doors that have weatherstripping, but it does help to block out noise. You can buy weatherstripping from any hardware store, and it’s very affordable. Just peel off the adhesive backing and run it around the perimeter of your internal door.
Don’t forget the flooring
Many people forget about the floors when soundproofing, but it’s an important thing to consider because sound travels through vibrations. You can dampen these vibrations by having softer materials on your floor to absorb the noise. Sound just bounces off hardwood floors, so it’s a good idea to cover them any way you can.
The best option is obviously to permanently lay carpet down. But if this isn’t an option, try rugs as an alternative. Also, if you have loud items like speakers and you’re keeping a hardwood floor, but something soft under the speakers to limit those vibrations.
Acoustic insulation
Another way to dampen the sound in your house is with acoustic insulation. Most homes have some form of insulation in the walls, and it helps control air-flow and temperature. However, you can buy highly rated sound insulation and give your walls, ceiling and floor an added protection against sound transfer.
If your home doesn’t already have insulation, it’s a great choice, because you’ll also get the added benefit of comfortable temperatures and lower energy bills.
Extra-thick walls
If you’re really serious about soundproofing and have the time and money to spare, adding extra sheets of plaster can reduce the transfer of noise. Naturally, this is a pretty big task, but certainly worth it. You can even buy special plaster with a plastic polymer layer on the back, specially designed for sound absorption.
