The Best Way to Sound Proof a Room

Soundproof a room so others within the home are not disturbed.

Soundproofing a room allows you or others in your family to play loud music or create other loud noises without disturbing others in or around the home. Many different brands of soundproofing materials are available to fulfill soundproofing needs, so choose the type or brand that best suits your goals. Depending on the specific product, you will install the soundproofing materials behind the walls or in front of them. Some manufacturers offer sound-deadening products that work either way.

Things You'll Need

• Mass-loaded vinyl
• Accoustical chalking
• Caulk gun
• Utility knife
• T-square
• Measuring tape
• Duct tape
• Dry wall nails (3/4 inch) and sheet metal disks
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Measure the first wall from the ceiling to the floor and then unroll the mass-loaded vinyl product. Measure out the proper length of sound-deadening material; subtract 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch from the overall measurement to provide a gap between the ceiling and the wall. Cut at the length needed with a utility knife; use the T-square to cut a straight line.

2. Place the first piece of mass-loaded vinyl vertically against the furthest corner of the wall. Make sure the material is lined up properly against both the ceiling and wall corner but allow for a 1/4-inch to 1/8-inch gap between the ceiling and wall. Nail the piece into place with drywall nails.

3. Place a sheet-metal disk onto each nail. Identify where the wall studs are if you are attaching the vinyl directly to existing walls. As a helper holds the vinyl piece in place, hammer the drywall nail into the vinyl at the stud to attach it to the wall. If you are installing the vinyl during a room's construction, before you install the drywall, nail the material directly to the wall studs. Continue to nail the vinyl every 24 inches across the wall into the studs. Measure down 24 inches and install another horizontal line of nails. Continue until you reach the floor.

4. Repeat the measuring, cutting and installation procedure of the mass-loaded vinyl material until you have covered all the room's walls with the material. The procedures for covering the ceilings and floors are the same to installing on the walls. On floors, you can install the material either under or over carpet.

5. Cover the seams between each piece of the vinyl with acoustical tape or regular duct tape. Cut openings for any wall or ceiling receptacles carefully.

6. Seal any gaps not covered by the vinyl with acoustical caulking. In new construction, once you have completed this sealing, you can hang and finish drywall panels.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful when using utility knives and wear protective gloves if necessary.

• Turn off the electricity to the room when dealing with exposed wiring or electrical outlets as these conditions will cause personal injury and fire hazards. Use work lights with extension cords plugged in to another room to provide adequate light if needed.

References

• Sound Isolation Store: How To Install TotalMass Vinyl Barrier On Walls and Ceilings