Easiest Ways to Soundproof a Room: 4 Step-by-Step Guide

Nowadays everyone wants their room to be soundproof. Because most people want their privacy and they don’t want to bother or be bothered by others.

Therefore there are various reasons to soundproof your room. Perhaps someone might be learning to play the drums and requires a soundproofed practice space.

Or, maybe you wish to establish a studio or a private space that is quiet and silent, and then you must know the easiest ways to soundproof a room.

Sometimes, noise pollution can be the reason, as many modern homes because of the material used to construct it. While drywall is less expensive than brick and mortar, it produces significantly more noise pollution.

As a result, soundproofing a room on a cheap budget in a North American home is difficult. But we will try our best to keep it on a moderate budget.

So there are some easiest ways to soundproof a room on a budget. And this guide discusses some of the most efficient and cost-effective soundproofing options that you can build yourself.

What is Soundproofing?

Soundproofing is a method of minimizing sound intensity from a specific sound source or blocking the noise from the main source. So while I was researching about easiest ways to soundproof a room, I found that many people have made mistake by confusing it with sound absorption.

Sound absorption reduces the amount of sound that passes through space while also reducing echo, whereas soundproofing prevents sound from entering a room.  And the biggest difference between them is that soundproofing requires mass.

Elements to consider while Soundproofing a room?

When soundproofing a room, there are several factors to consider. These elements help you block or reduce noise and vibrations within a room, making your room soundproof more effectively.

1. Decoupling

It is the process of separating the two sides of the wall to make it more difficult for sound to pass through it or we can say, we are building a smaller room inside it to stop sound from traveling from one to another. And once the two sides have been separated, they can be insulated (mass) to improve soundproofing even further.

Like after building the soundproof room, you will be able to block outside noise. However, when you enter your soundproof room, you will usually be disturbed by inside vibrations.

In short, Decoupling is a technique that involves the use of double floors, floating floors, pliable rubber, and other materials.  All of these materials help to reduce the impact of your movement within your soundproof room.

2. Dampening

Damping a sound is the process of reducing its resonance, which is usually accomplished through constrained layer damping. In addition, the damping material converts the kinetic energy of sound waves to heat energy, which aids in soundproofing.

3. Absorption

As I previously stated, sound absorption is concerned with reducing echo and the distance a sound can travel within a space rather than completely blocking it.

Sound absorption equipment is used in recording studios to improve acoustics. Sound-absorbing materials are typically light and fluffy, and thus lack the mass required to block a sound.

4. Mass

When soundproofing a room, mass is the most important factor to consider. The greater the mass of a structure (walls, furniture, etc.), the less sound can enter the space. Almost every other element is based on increasing the amount of mass in space.

But also remember when you use a dense and thicker layer to add mass, the weight increases, which can add a burden on your home.  So, first, determine how much weight your house can support. However, I recommend that you contact a professional.

So now let’s understand the easiest ways to soundproof a room.

Easiest ways to Soundproof a Room

Well, if your room is small or big, you don’t have to worry about it because the below methods can help you to soundproof your room efficiently. It is just the game of minimizing the echoes or blocking the noise and if you properly follow all the steps, then you’re just going to win this game.

But before winning this game, you just have to keep in mind that the more soundproofing you want in your room, the more it will get expensive. However, there are some medium-cost options available, and if you use all of them, the cost will quickly add up.

So what are the easiest ways to soundproof a room?

You must absorb the sound to soundproof your room and reduce noise. This can be accomplished by using mass-loaded vinyl and foam panels on the door, adding drywall on the walls, placing curtains over the window, and strategically placing furniture and rugs to absorb sound. Place the sound-absorbing material directly in front of the source of the sound.

This article will tell you about the easiest ways to soundproof a room on a moderate budget. The list gives you some best options for blocking the sound and they’re listed from cheapest to expensive.

It depends on you which to choose as per the source of noise, although it will better to use all of them for a good overall reduction in noise. Let’s look at the listed methods in detail.

Step 1 – Soundproof the Door

A door can be a major source of noise pollution. It covers a big part of a room and is easy for sound waves to travel through it. A room is made of strong high-density concrete walls, so it is obvious that the door may be a reason for a huge amount of noise.

Hence, our focus should be on stopping all the possible noises coming from outside or gaps underneath the door. As we cannot we replace the door with a new one but there are few things which can help.

1. Block all the noises coming from the gaps or holes.

First of all, identify all the gaps or holes in a door and fill it with an insulating sealant that will help to cover all the gaps and prevent sound waves from entering the room.

• There is another gap that is between the door and floor, the biggest gap that needs to be filled. You can use a door sweep or an acoustic door threshold to keep the noise out from beneath the door.

2. Altering the surface of the door

• As I have earlier stated, increasing mass blocks the sound better, so you can install mass-loaded vinyl within the door’s center or inside the door to block the sound completely.

• To increase more mass, you can also use soundproof foam panels for soundproofing the door. As it is lustrous and attractive, it can also help to decorate your door.

• If possible, also place acoustic soundproof curtains around the door.

All the ways, I have suggested are easy to follow and will not create more burden on your hard-earned pocket money.

To understand more about how to soundproof the door efficiently, you can also check our detailed guide.

Step 2 – Soundproof the Window

After the doors, windows are the major source of noise pollution. It needs immediate attention whether it is small or big while soundproofing a room. It should be on your priority list.

1. Seal all the air gaps

• Just like the door, find all the gaps around the corner of the window. Check if any sunlight or air is passing through, as it helps the sound waves to travel easily, so focus more on it and you can use weatherstripping around the corners for an airtight.

• To fill up those gaps, you can also use the insulating sealant for blocking the noise completely.

2. Customizing the windows

• To soundproof the windows, you can modify your windows by double glazing at them. It offers the best insulation. It will seal the window completely and make it airtight and the dead air in between acts as a very effective insulating area.

• You can build a window plug. They will work by just layering acoustic foam, soundproof matting, and wood in the space in front of your windows. Incoming sound waves are absorbed by the foam in the front. It also has an advantage, as it is not permanent, you can remove it anytime.

3. Adding a Layer on the window

• Place quilted fiberglass panel over the window. It is thicker and denser which helps to block the sound. It tends to lay flat against the window frame where the curtain folds do not adhere tightly to the window.

• Windows are also the primary source of soundwave reflection, with only 5% of the soundwaves being absorbed and 95% of the soundwaves being reflected. So you can place bookshelves to cover it or a couch to block the soundwaves. And it is an easy solution and won’t cost you any money.

• You can also add an extra acrylic sheet to your window glass to block the sound. And it is more effective than curtains and fiberglass panels since it has the advantage of not blocking your view.

To better understand the above methods, make sure to check out how to soundproof a window in the detailed article.

Step 3 – Soundproof the floor

While we were soundproofing the door or window, we were trying the block the outside noise but in the case of a floor, we will be blocking impact noise.

When people are walking, they make impact noise. Vibrations caused by footfalls travel through the floor and into the joists, eventually reaching the ceiling of the room below.

Soundproofing the floors can be difficult but it depends on the floor’s material. But no matter the type of floor, each one will require an underlayment.

1. Install the carpet or rug over the floor

• Soundwaves from any source hit the hard surface and bounce back across the various corners of the wall, as well as to the hard tiles type of floor. So setting a carpet or a rug will not only make you comfortable under your leg but also absorb the soundwaves.

• Make sure to have a carpet of good quality, it should be dense and the ability to minimize the echoes and absorb the soundwaves.

• And setting down large carpets or rugs is another low-cost choice since they are inexpensive to purchase if you are on a tight budget.

2. Use Noise proofing compound

• Green Glue Noise proofing compound helps to reduce the noise from either side of the floor. It takes just a few minutes to apply, is simple to clean, and reduces noise by up to 90%. Green Glue achieves its optimum sound-dissipating output within 30 days of application.

• Distribute the Green Glue all over the subfloor with a caulk gun and then put the underlayment or hardboard such as cement board or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) on top of it. Install your flooring and carpets as needed.

3. Get a soundproof floor underlayment

• If you have a bare floorboard, this approach is much simpler because it makes it easier to install the subsequent floor with soundproof material.

• If you have a tiled, linoleum, or vinyl board, you would need to remove those coverings before installing the acoustic floor underlayment.

• It is one of the easiest methods for soundproofing the floor. To absorb sounds completely, they should be used with acoustic mats. This will make your room padded and deadened to noise.

• Make sure the naked floorboard is smooth and free of protruding nails or cracks before installing it. If it is indeed broken, it must be repaired before any installation can take place. It should also be dirt-free.

• You can also use interlocking floor mats. All you have to do is purchase them and fix them over the existing floor. They do not give the full dead-sound effect but can achieve a lot along with carpets or floor underlayment.

To better understand the above methods, make sure to check out how to soundproof a apartment floor in the detailed article.

Whew, soundproofing the floor was a challenging job. You have to do a lot of work. So at last, we will discuss soundproofing the walls.

Step 4 – Soundproofing the walls

You can soundproof your walls in various ways. But I will suggest the most preferred and optimum solutions by lowering some cost.

1. Add a layer of Drywall

• If you want a permanent solution, installing a layer of drywall to the existing walls and ceilings will be a great step to start. As it will add mass to your wall, it will dampen the sound and block the reverberations.

• It is an inexpensive material and easy to install. It will make your room a little bit small but you will have a peaceful and satisfactory room where you can spend your quality time.

• You can also an extra layer of damping compound like green glue. Apply as much as possible to the opposite side of the drywall you’re installing; the more you apply, the better the work will be.

• Instead of drywall, you can also use acoustic panels for soundproofing the wall. It will absorb the soundwaves as they bounce off on the walls.

2. Decouple the walls

As I have earlier said that decoupling is an important element to consider while soundproofing anything. So we are going to decouple the wall to soundproof it. Basically, decoupling comes in to create an air chamber or gap between walls.

Decoupling can be approached in a variety of ways, as I’ll explain shortly. The elimination of surface contact and the introduction of an air cavity to attenuate any sound that enters the cavity are two things that both approaches have in common.

2.1 Room within the room

• It is the most effective way to decouple a wall. To create a room within a room, you must construct two completely separate walls.

• The air cavity is created by the gap between the surfaces of these walls (stud layers). The lack of a physical link between the walls prevents sound from being transferred from one wall to the other.

2.2 Double Stud Wall

• The room inside room approach can be replaced with a simple, low-cost two-stud wall.

• The studs are all fastened to the same base plate in this case. Finish by drywalling the outsides and filling the cavity with loose insulation.

2.3 The Staggered Stud Wall

• This is a more cost-effective and space-saving alternative to the room-within-a-room design. A 24 pair of studs are put on either side of a base plate, preferably six-inch-wide, in the staggered wall setup. The wide studs provide a huge air cavity, which helps to achieve the goal of decoupling.

• After decoupling with one of the methods listed above, loose insulation is installed between the studs to absorb any sound that enters the cavity.

• Low frequencies can sometimes get through these insulators. On the plus side, high frequencies are kept under control

3. Install more Furniture in the room

• You have almost done your job, just need to give some final touchups. Just put some accessories against the wall and within the room for absorbing the soundwaves.

• As you would have observed that, when you clap for a moment in an empty space, the soundwaves echoed back from all sides, making it a little louder.

• Hence make sure to add sofas, bookshelves, couches or cushions, tables, wardrobes, paintings for filling the rooms. It will not only give beauty to your house but also dampen the noise.

FAQs on Easiest ways to soundproof a room

Here are frequently asked questions while soundproofing a room.

What’s The Difference between Acoustic Treatment and Soundproofing?

The acoustic treatment is intended for use when playing music. The goal is to prevent sound from not only entering but also from traveling around the room. The goal is to keep the sound in the room under control.

On the other hand, the goal of soundproofing is to control the sound that enters and leaves the room. Acoustic treatment improves sound quality, whereas soundproofing eliminates noise, intending to minimize disturbances.

What Is Airborne And Impact Noise?

Sounds that travel through the air are called airborne sounds. People talking, dogs barking, and trains whistling are examples of these sounds. Contact and vibrations through objects produce impact sound. Impact noises include footsteps, bouncing balls, and banging pipes.

What’s The Difference between Insulation and Absorption?

Sound insulation is a material that absorbs sound and prevents it from entering a space. Sound absorption absorbs sounds in a room and prevents them from reverberating. Use both for recording studios and sound insulation to block out unwanted noise.

Can I Partially Cover A Surface To Soundproof It?

Of course, covering a surface partially can help. However, you can’t completely soundproof a room without completing the process. If you want to reduce sound, add a layer on top of it to partially cover it.

How Can I Test A Soundproof Job?

Using a decibel reader, you can easily determine how much sound is present in a room. A decibel is a unit of measurement for sound intensity. On the scale, a 20 is a whisper, and a 170 is a shotgun. The majority of sounds will fall somewhere between these two.  Test a specific sound both before and after soundproofing for the best results.

Conclusion on Easiest Ways to Soundproof a Room

Soundproofing a room on a budget is entirely possible; you just have to be a little more inventive in your approach. And all of the above steps are only helpful if it is on an affordable budget which is easy to implement.

Some of the items on this list are inexpensive and will provide some soundproofing; however, if you want to do a better job, I have mentioned some expensive ways also, just it will make you spend more money on it.

Keep the following suggestions in mind when soundproofing a room:

·     Always remember the four soundproofing elements: mass, absorption, decoupling, and damping.

·     The most important factor is mass, which is usually the easiest to control. It could be as simple as rearranging your furniture or as complex as adding more drywall.

·     Follow all the steps properly which are above mentioned. It will help you to soundproof the room systematically.

·     Acoustic sealant and other damping products can help a lot, but they should only be used in conjunction with other, more effective methods. Sealing should be done only after you’ve completed the rest of your soundproofing projects. 

·     Insulation foam and egg boxes should be avoided. Although they’re not designed to block sound, they’ve earned a reputation in soundproofing because they’re what people associate with recording studios.

·     You can use any of the above methods. It just depends on you and your budget. Choose the most effective one as per your choice.

So finally, while each of these methods is inexpensive on its own, combining them will increase the cost.

The easiest way to soundproof a room is to identify the weak points, start there, and work your way around the room. You should eventually have a room that is effectively soundproofed.

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