How to Soundproof Windows for Music
If you want to soundproof a room for music, the windows are the weakest link. If you line your walls with soundproof materials, but ignore the windows, all your work and expense will do little good. It's important to deal with this vulnerability to ensure that sound stays in the room, and outside noise stays out. As an alternative to having special soundproof windows installed, a cheaper, do-it-yourself solution is to "plug" the windows. This process blocks light as well as sound, but it is fairly effective.
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Things You'll Need
- Caulking tube and gun
- Sharp blade (e.g., box cutter)
- Tape measure
- Thick, dense foam (polyethylene or acoustic foam---minimum 2" thickness)
- Adhesive glue or tape (optional, but recommended)
Instructions
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Plugging your window
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1
Seal any openings around the edges of the window using caulking. Make sure there is no air draft around the window; where air gets through, sound also gets through. If the window is already well-sealed, you may skip this step.
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2
Measure the height and width of the window frame. Be as precise as possible.
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3
Use a blade to cut your foam to the exact dimensions of the window frame. Again, be as precise as possible, and cut as straight as possible. The goal here is to plug the window frame completely with the foam, so it must fit snugly.
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4
Insert the foam into the window frame, leaving as much space as possible between the foam and the windowpane. Do not put the foam flush against the window; the air pocket between them forms an additional sound barrier. Make sure the foam fits snugly in the frame.
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5
Use adhesive glue or strong adhesive tape to seal around the edges of the foam. This is an optional step, but provides added sound dampening. The idea is to treat the foam as if it were now the window, and use the glue or tape to "caulk" the edges. Glue is permanent; tape is less so. If you need to be able to remove the foam, you may skip this step as long as the foam is very snug in the window frame, with no gaps.
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Tips & Warnings
* For added protection, or as an alternative to window plugs, you can hang sound dampening drapes over the window. If you don't want to block the light, sound dampening plastic film can be applied to the window pane as an extra barrier. Even adding an interior storm window will help; the more barriers, the better.
* With recent innovations, there are several specialized dampening products on the market that may help with soundproofing---even special types of glue. Some of these are included in the resource links below.
When considering your alternatives to soundproofing windows, it's also important to know the difference between noise reduction and noise absorption. According to Soundproofing 101, noise reduction is about restricting sound from leaving or entering a room, while noise absorption only restricts music and sound from bouncing around inside the room. If you confuse the two, you can waste lots of time and money without solving your problem. Soundproofing a window is about reducing noise, not just absorbing it. Do not assume the foam itself will keep the noise in or out; the foam only absorbs noise. It is the seal around the windows and the foam that creates noise reduction, so don't underestimate the importance of this step. One missed gap around the window can nullify all the soundproofing you have done.
