How to Make Acoustic Wall Treatments

Acoustic wall treatments can help dampen noise.

Acoustic wall treatments cut down on noise between rooms, or between the inside and the outdoors. Boisterous neighbors, band practice and kids playing video games all make for a potentially unsettling environment. Completely soundproofing a room after it's been built can be tricky because it involves tearing down the existing walls, installing acoustic materials and rebuilding the walls. While less than perfect, these suggestions for acoustic wall treatments will help to dampen noise.

Things You'll Need

• Shelving systems
• Acoustical tiles
• Decorative textiles
• Eggshell cartons
• Glue or staple gun
• Baskets
• Draperies
• Cork

Instructions

1. Build or buy floor-to-ceiling shelving systems for books and mementos. Attach acoustical tiles to the backs before you place them against the wall.

2. Use decorative curtain rod holders to support a wooden dowel. Hang quilts or textiles from it.

3. Collect cardboard eggshell cartons. Tear off the tops and use glue or a staple gun to attach them to the walls and ceiling. Paint the egg cartons and use them as part of your décor, or cover them with fabric hung from the ceiling.

4. Install shelving or build a series of cubbyholes in a bedroom. Buy baskets that will fit snugly on the shelves. Store clothing, towels and other sound-deadening items in them.

5. Extend your window draperies so that they cover the window and the wall on both sides. Use heavy material and line the drapes.

6. Attach acoustic tiles to the walls and paint them in contrasting colors to make a checkerboard pattern.

7. Line the walls with cork. Cork comes in rolls, or as tiles for flooring. The cork is dual purpose----it dampens sound and can be used as a corkboard.

References

• Acoustical Society of America
• Architectural Acoustics

Resources

• Acoustics of Small Rooms
• Home Theater Acoustics
• A Unique Acoustic Ceiling