How to Soundproof a Home Theater

Soundproofing your home theater helps keep outside noises from bothering you during a movie and also keeps your neighbors from complaining about excessive noise. Soundproofing can be an expensive process, but there are some ways to keep costs down.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dampening caulk
• Door sealing kit
• Soundproofing foam

Soundproof a Home Theater

1. Set up your home theater in the basement of your house. The submerged location and concrete foundation provide a natural barrier to sound.

2. Plan your home theater before your walls are put up. If you buy a new home and set aside a room for a theater, you can have wiring and soundproofing built into the walls before the room is finished. You should also add soundproofing foam to the ceiling if you go this route.

3. Install sound barrier foam around the walls of your home theater. This foam is similar to sound proofing foam, but it comes in various shapes and sizes. The installation will need to be done by a professional so that it only absorbs extraneous noise and doesn't ruin your home theater's sound system.

4. Frame up a second room within your home theater. This method can use up lots of room because you're basically building a second room inside the theater. Allow for a 6 to 10 inch gap between the new and old walls and fill it with dampening caulk and soundproofing foam.

5. Remember to soundproof the door to your theater. Adding door sealant around the frame and door can cut sound leakage drastically. Also install double pane glass if you have windows in your theater room.

Tips & Warnings

• Some construction firms do soundproofing work. You may be able to get a free estimate from one or advice on how to best soundproof your theater.
• Adding carpet to your home theater can help absorb some additional sound. Each piece of furniture in the room will also cut down the sound by a small amount.
• If you have a theater in the top floor of an older home, you may want to add insulation to the attic. This insulation will cut sound leakage and also help reduce your heating bill in the winter.
• Don't install a home theater in your basement if you live in an area that experiences floods often. If you must install it in the basement, be sure you have home owner's insurance that covers damages due to flooding.