How To Soundproof A Room

Soundproofing is the art of using material and design to reduce noise from outside sources. While there are many options for how to soundproof a room, this article takes a look at soundproofing using materials like foam, insulation, and taping. The information in this article will give you the best advice on how to go about soundproofing your room without breaking the bank. Soundproofing is achieved by reflecting back any sounds that would enter the space and canceling them out with their own vibrations; this means that you need an opening leading into your space in order to be able to make it soundless. The reflection of these sounds back into the room will serve as a natural noise cancellation.

What does it cost to soundproof a room?

The cost to soundproof a room will vary depending on the complexity of your design, the thickness of the materials you use, and the size of your space. To figure out how much adding a soundproofing system to your room will cost, you will need to consider the following:

Soundproofing is not cheap. In fact, it’s one of those renovation projects that can really break a budget if you’re not careful and prepared. The good news is that both foam and fiberglass insulation are relatively inexpensive compared with other alternative components, such as heavy plasterboard or even some types of steel studs for heavy-duty sound control. The average cost of soundproofing a room with polyisocyanurate (foam) is around $5,000. For example, you may spend anywhere between $3,500 and $6,000 on foam alone. Fiberglass is considerably more expensive than polyisocyanurate but can be effective at the same time. About $10,000 will give you a good soundproofing job (more if it’s majorly insulated to keep the temperature down). The cost of fiberglass insulation in thicknesses ranging from 2-1/2 inches to 9 inches runs between $5 and $7 per square foot.

How to soundproof a room

Below are some tips to help you soundproof your room.

1. Add acoustic materials

Heavy and dense material is best for soundproofing, if you are fitting insulation make sure it is not just like pillows but solid and thick, this will greatly reduce the amount of noise your room will let in. If you have a large space then harder surfaces are best such as concrete or tiles, while a carpet or soft flooring will absorb some of the noise and not allow it to bounce back into your ears as much. You should also put up some hard walls made of concrete, brick, or plasterboard in order to help prevent external noise from reaching inside.

2. Insulation

Insulation is a great way to soundproof a room and also reduce the amount of heat that is allowed in. If you have no insulation in your room then you will be letting plenty of noise than trapped heat in. This means that the colder it is outside, the warmer your space will be; you’ll want to make sure that your insulation prevents this from happening and maintains a stable temperature. This can be done by just adding some thick sheets into your room, but if it’s not possible then you can explore different methods of how to soundproof a room using insulation.

3. Plasterboard

A good way to soundproof a room is to use plasterboard as it is cost-effective and easy to install. It’s generally made out of gypsum, which is affordable and can be placed in any shape. The type of plasterboard used here comes in medium-density polystyrene (medium-density) which has some advantages over the traditional stuff in that it insulates better, is more resistant to moisture, and lasts longer. Although the material isn’t cheap, you can find it at DIY stores for between $65-$100.

4. Fiberglass

Fiberglass is a plastic material used to make insulation and soundproofing materials. It is a biodegradable material and when in contact with water it will break down and disintegrate. It’s a very durable material and has many uses, although it costs more than standard insulation, it’s a good way to soundproof a room by sealing the air gaps between the walls and the ceiling. The methods of installation that you can use with fiberglass insulation include:

Glued-in – This method involves gluing several layers of fiberglass into your space to provide both soundproofing and insulation at the same time. The area to be insulated will first be covered in a special paper, after which you must apply the fiberglass in layers with an approved adhesive. This method is particularly effective for thick walls with many cracks and crevices, although it’s a very laborious process, so you might want to consider hiring a company or person to do this for you.

5. Rigid foam

This method involves spreading foam insulation on your walls and designating areas for soundproofing. This method works well in large, dense spaces with lots of surfaces that need insulation, and is often the cheapest option for soundproofing a room. However, if you are going for a more professional look, then this type of installation may not be ideal. It also takes up more space than other methods since it is relatively thick. Although you need to consider this before making your decision on how to soundproof a room using fiberglass or rigid foam, these methods have the biggest impact on the aesthetic side of things which will depend on your preferences.

6. Drywall

Drywall is the most common method of soundproofing a room. It’s a good solution for small rooms and can be performed by anyone with basic DIY skills. The main benefit is that it doesn’t require much installation time and it’s relatively affordable especially since you don’t have to buy any special tools or materials. However, this material can be damaged by moisture, so if you are planning on using drywall in your space then make sure that your entire house is sealed from the outside and never allows moisture to enter.

Conclusion

Soundproofing can be a big expense, and it may not be essential in all instances. However, if you are one of the millions of people who spend large amounts of time in a single room, then soundproofing your room will be invaluable. For example, if you are a musician who plays or records regularly in his home then you will certainly notice the difference between an acoustically treated space and one that isn’t designed for musical performances or recordings. Another example is someone who wants to convert their garage into a recording studio; installing acoustic tiles slowly releases the need for soundproofing methods as the frequency range is reduced by the absorption and diffusion of sound being recorded.