When considering soundproofing a room, there is one main question you need to ask yourself. Exactly how soundproof does the room need to be? Because if you want to limit the noise coming from certain rooms, that’s one thing. But if you’re going to completely soundproof a room the way a music recording studio is soundproofed, that’s a whole different kettle of fish.
Let’s take a look at both options. Completely soundproofing a room is costly, and it’s also really only necessary for professional pursuits, such as recording music. There are ways to do it, of course, but due to the cost and work involved, you need to really commit to the task.
To block most of the noise coming from a room, there are plenty of cheaper solutions. So, that might be the way to go for the average household. Here are some of the best tips for soundproofing a room of your home.
Studio quality acoustic panels
If you’re really serious about blocking sound from a room, you can buy purpose-built acoustic panels. The panels are made from a variety of materials including soft foam rubber, dense polyester fibre and even cork.
Bear in mind that these panels aren’t designed to look good. They serve a purpose, but they’re not very decorative. However, if you’re going all out to create real soundproof walls, this is the way to go. In addition, though, you’ll need to consider the ceiling and floor. You can add panels to the ceiling, but there isn’t much you can do about the floor except adding underfloor insulation.
You’ll also want to ensure the floor is soft, using carpet or a series of rugs. This is important because sound vibrations bounce off hard surfaces. So, timber flooring isn’t going to work so well. If you have no choice but to keep hardwood floors, at least make sure you have something soft under any speakers or amplifiers because this will dampen the vibrations. If you go this way, you should also weatherstrip your doors to complete the soundproofing process.
The cheaper option
It might not look as professional and probably won’t be quite as effective, but any soft material works for the wall. Whether you hang blankets, tapestries, or even use large pieces of foam, you’ll limit the noise. Again, this is because sound bounces around hard surfaces and amplifies. If you can soften the walls and ceiling in any way possible, you’ll still get a similar effect.
Acoustic insulation
Another way to dampen the sound in your house is with soundproof insulation. If your household insulation needs an update anyway, it’s worth investing in the best products available. Choosing insulation that’s highly rated for acoustic performance will help keep the noise where it belongs.
Best of all, insulation goes in walls, in the ceiling and under the floor. So, you don’t even see it, but it still does the required job. Even if you don’t want a fully soundproofed room, acoustic insulation is a great idea. You’ll even make the home more comfortable and save money on energy bills!
