How to Sound Proof Your Room
Soundproofing a room can be an expensive and time-consuming proposition. But the results can be well worth the effort: peace and quiet, either for you (if you are sound-proofing to keep noise out, like a barking dog) or for the other residents of your house (if you want to do a little band practice in your bedroom). Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Soundproof door
- Soundproofing panels
- Screwdriver
- Paint
- Hammer
- Nails
- Acoustic ceiling tiles
- Double-pane vinyl window
- Fiberglass insulation batting (optional)
- Foam or cellulose insulation (optional)
Instructions
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Get rid of that thin, hollow-core door. Buy a solid wood door at any home improvement store. Some even come with a rubber gasket at the bottom to further minimize sound exchange between the room and the other parts of the house. Install the door before painting it.
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2
Install soundproof panels on the walls. These range from sheets made of thin, ribbed polyester, for light sound absorption, to foam panels, many of which even come with coating in a variety of colors and textures to simulate wallpaper. Have them cut to size in the home improvement store and then install with either hammer and nails or screws and screwdriver.
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3
Remove the drywall and fill the walls with fiberglass insulation batting for more serious noise problems. The denser the insulation, the better. Or call a professional soundproofing company and have foam or cellulose insulation blown in.
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Soundproof the ceiling, if necessary, by installing soundproof acoustical tile. These tiles are generally made with fiber glass cores and vinyl surfaces. They can generally be installed using a grid that is suspended from the existing ceiling. Secure the grid in place, and then lay in the tiles.
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Replace the existing window with a double-pane vinyl window for the final touch. Get a "replacement" window that will fit right over the existing window's framework.
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Tips & Warnings
Shy away from "quick fixes" like egg cartons or heavy drapes. They simply don't work.
Unless you are very handy, call a professional for the bigger jobs, like ripping open the wall to add insulation. Wear safety glasses and a breath mask, especially when working with insulation.
