Are you trying to reduce the sound in your home or business? Well, I’ve been doing just that for over twenty years, so if you’re looking for ways to reduce noise and create a peaceful environment, you’ve come to the right place.
Unfortunately, when folks call me for help with their sound issue they’re often really confused. There are so many misconceptions about how to soundproof a room and the difficulty of attaining the perfect level of soundproofing. I’m here to set the story straight. In this comprehensive room soundproofing guide, we’ll discuss the art of soundproofing, common reasons to soundproof a room, locations that often require soundproofing, and more.
What Is Soundproofing?
Soundproofing is the process of improving an acoustic environment by reducing the noise that permeates through walls, floors, ceilings, doors, and windows to prevent external noise from entering the space. This can be done in one or more of several ways, such as using soundproofing materials and building development methods. Let’s take a look at how to soundproof various parts of the room, then we’ll illuminate the host of applications where soundproofing is highly useful, if not critical.
How to Soundproof the Different Parts of a Room
Whether it’s loud music, a screaming baby, or outside traffic, it can be challenging to escape all the noise the world creates. Fortunately, soundproofing can be an effective solution to dampen noise and create a more peaceful environment.
That’s why we want to take a moment to explore how to soundproof the different parts of a room, including walls, windows, doors, ceilings, and more. With the right products from the right company, soundproofing a room has never been more straightforward.
Windows
If you have ever had a problem with excessive noise coming through your windows, you know how difficult and frustrating it can be. Unfortunately, single-pane and double-pane windows aren’t effective noise cancellers and most of us don’t have it in the budget to replace all of our windows. On the bright side, there are some alternative solutions available that can make windows completely soundproof, no matter their size or shape.
PrivacyShield® Window Seal Kit
PrivacyShield® Window Seal Kit (In Jamb Mount)
Our PrivacyShield® Window Seal Kit provides effective soundproofing for windows of all sizes. The product is a 1/4″ acrylic pane set within a 3/4″ wide x 1″ deep exterior grade, impact-resistant PVC extruded frame with magnetic weather stripping bellows. The kit seals gaps around the window frame to block sound from entering or leaving your residence or workplace. Whether you’re a professional contractor or an experienced DIYer, it’s easy to install and provides excellent acoustic-barrier performance.
AudioSeal® Clear Sound Barrier
AudioSeal® Clear Sound Barrier – Transparent Mass Loaded Vinyl
Our AudioSeal® Clear Sound Barrier is a unique soundproofing product that provides outstanding sound blocking in a clear vinyl form. As a result, it increases the soundproofing capabilities of windows or any surface you need to see through. Plus, the material is highly durable for long-term use and can be utilized in various applications due to its flexibility.
PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blanket
PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blanket
Our PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blanket can also be used to soundproof a window if you don’t mind covering the window up when you need the soundproofing in place. It can be adhered with a two-part Velcro that makes it easy to install and remove to any surface, allowing sound absorption and sound attenuation in one efficient product. Whether you’re looking for a quick and simple soundproofing solution or something long-term, our soundproofing blankets might be the way to go.
Doors
Many people aren’t aware that a lot of sound transference occurs through closed doors. In fact, a 1% opening around a door may allow up to 50% of sound energy to pass through it. If you want to soundproof a room, even the tiniest little opening can let in a lot of noise. Fortunately, we offer solutions for that.
PrivacyShield® Soundproof Door
PrivacyShield® Soundproof Door
The best option is to install a new door specifically made for soundproofing. Our PrivacyShield® Soundproof Door includes the door, frame, trim casings, handle, hinges, perimeter sound seals, and installation kit. It is a great way to achieve soundproofing with a Noise Isolation Class (NIC) value of up to 56 for airborne sound.
PrivacyShield® Soundproofing Door Seal Kit
PrivacyShield® Soundproofing Door Seal Kit
If you are planning to keep your existing doors, our PrivacyShield® Soundproofing Door Seal Kit is the ideal solution for doors with even the smallest gaps. It’s relatively easy to install, especially for contractors and experienced DIYers, and creates a seal that completely blocks openings around the door.
Acoustic Double Door Astragals
Our Acoustic Double Door Astragals are designed to minimize sound transfer between double doors. It fits a standard door with minimal modifications and a secure, long-lasting fit. Plus, the astragal is made from high-quality materials, which gives it excellent sound-blocking capabilities without affecting how the door opens and closes.
Acoustic Door Threshold
Our Acoustic Door Threshold is ideal for creating soundproofing seals within door frames. right at the threshold, the space between the bottom of the door and the floor. It features an advanced seal design to provide incredible soundproofing, to effectively reduce noise transmission while helping to create a quiet, comfortable environment. It’s also built to last, with a durable aluminum construction, and is available in various sizes to suit any door or project.
Automatic Door Bottom
Our Automatic Door Bottom is also designed to reduce sound transmission in commercial and residential areas by covering the gaps at the bottoms of doors. Its innovative design features an integral seal that stops drafts and sound leakage. After all, where the wind goes, so does sound. They’re also incredibly easy to install and designed to fit a wide range of door styles, including single and double doors.
Walls
As we’ve all experienced, walls are incredibly vulnerable to sound transference. Unfortunately, you can’t solve the problem by throwing up a few foam boards to make a room soundproof. Creating a soundproof wall requires covering every part of the wall with a sound barrier of some type. Fortunately, we make soundproofing your walls more manageable than ever.
AudioSeal® Mass Loaded Vinyl Sound Barrier
AudioSeal® Mass Loaded Vinyl Sound Barrier
For renovation projects and new builds, our AudioSeal® Mass Loaded Vinyl Sound Barrier is an effective noise-blocking solution that helps control unwanted noise through walls. It’s crafted with flexible, high-quality materials to provide superior soundproofing. Plus, it’s designed to be easy to install, durable, and eco-friendly, making it one of the top sound barriers on the market.
Green Glue Noiseproofing Compound
Green Glue Noiseproofing Compound – 28 oz. Tubes
Another product that we recommend for renovation projects or new construction is Green Glue Noiseproofing Compound is the perfect soundproofing product for blocking noise transference between walls. Green glue is a sticky, elastic compound that dampens sound waves by converting them into heat as they travel through ceilings, walls, and floors where the compound is applied. When used between two layers of drywall or other rigid construction materials it forms a damping system that isolates sound and vibration, which significantly reduces sound transfer between the spaces on either side of the wall.
Resilient Sound Isolation Clip RSIC-1
Our Resilient Sound Isolation Clip RSIC-1 is used with a traditional metal hat channel in new construction or renovation projects. It works by reducing vibration, airborne noise, and impact sound transmission. Plus, it’s super easy to install by your drywall contractor to address your soundproofing needs in a space.
Acoustical Caulk
Our Acoustical Caulk takes caulking to the next level. It has premium sound-blocking qualities, which makes it ideal for sealing cracks and joints in a variety of applications. Believe it or not, it can be used on both indoor and outdoor surfaces. So if you have built a soundproof wall using a sound barrier system, the wall should be caulked with acoustic caulk to maintain the specific STC (Sound Transmission Class) value that the system was designed to have. The paintable sealant is flexible and adheres firmly to wood, metal studs, concrete, gypsum board and most other building materials. It also cleans up easily with soap and water.
Firestop Acoustical Putty Pad
Our Firestop Acoustical Putty Pads are an effective and easy-to-use acoustic solution for areas that require high-level fire safety and high-quality soundproofing for new wall construction in any type of space. I can’t emphasize enough that even a small opening can negate efforts made to mitigate sound transmission. Firestop Putty Pads provide acoustical sealant for small wall penetrations like electrical boxes. The pad is conveniently sized to fit both standard single or double gang boxes.
AlphaSorb® Barrier Acoustic Panels
Our AlphaSorb® Barrier Acoustic Panels offer both sound absorption and sound blocking. They are crafted to fit your specific wall dimensions, so they can cover the entire wall and provide effective soundproofing. They can be made in a huge variety of acoustic fabrics to compliment any space. These are incredibly popular because you don’t have to worry about hiring multiple contractors and having to tear out and replace drywall. These soundproofing acoustic panels are easy to install, so you can quickly solve your noise issue without the hassle of an involved renovation.
WCVE Public Radio treated their production studios with a combination of absorption and sound blocking for a complete solution.
Floors
Floors are one of the most challenging areas to fix, so if you’re having issues with sound transference in your floors, you don’t have many options available to you other than tearing them up and rebuilding them from scratch. Fortunately, there are some solutions we can offer, depending on the types of floors you currently have.
Iso-Step® Soundproofing Underlayment
Our Iso-Step® Soundproofing Underlayment is the ideal soundproofing solution for homeowners and commercial developers interested in soundproofing their floors. Flooring can be installed on top of it, and the underlayment reduces impact noise, which makes it optimal for multi-story buildings and homes.
Iso-Step®Soundproofing Underlayment
Ceilings
Drop ceiling systems are often the main culprit for sound transference in commercial environments. The combination of shared, large hollow ceiling spaces and thin tiles make ceilings important to address in many soundproofing projects. Fortunately, we have a few products for this common scenario:
PrivacyShield® Ceiling Tile Barrier
PrivacyShield® Ceiling Tile Barrier
Our PrivacyShield® Ceiling Tile Barrier is a great option to prevent or reduce sound bleeding through the ceiling and into adjacent rooms, in new or existing spaces. These mass loaded ceiling tile backers are an economical fix because they are so easy to install. Simply place them on top of existing ceiling tiles and pop them back into the grid.
Signature Sound Barrier Ceiling Tile
Signature Sound Barrier Ceiling Tile
In spaces where both sound transmission and echo/reverberation are a problem we often recommend our Signature Sound Barrier Ceiling Tile. This tile is made with 1” thick 6 pound density fiberglass, which is a great material for sound absorption. A mass loaded vinyl sound barrier is adhered to the back. These would replace existing ceiling tiles and are easily dropped into typical 2′ x 2′ or 2′ x 4′ drop ceiling systems.
PrivacyShield® Light Hood
Both our Signature Sound Barrier Ceiling Tile and our PrivacyShield Ceiling Tile Barrier products are often paired with our PrivacyShield® Light Hood to address sound that passes through and around light fixtures that are installed in suspended ceilings. The hood sits directly above the ceiling, to trap sound produced within the room and repel sound that is produced outside the room.
AudioSeal® Duct and Pipe Wrap
Our AudioSeal® Duct and Pipe Wrap is made from highly effective acoustical material and reduces noise from air ducts, pipes, and other mechanical sounds that typically permeate ceilings. It features a fiberglass core and a reinforced foil exterior that protects it in indoor and outdoor applications. Plus, it’s super easy to cut and install, which makes it an incredibly effective soundproofing product for commercial and residential applications.
Alternatives to Soundproofing a Room for Recording
Recording studios, whether in a professional commercial setting or inside someone’s home, must be entirely soundproof for quality results. Music, podcasts, voice work, and other recording-based industries must produce clean, noise-free products to feel and appear at a professional level.
Fortunately, many of the options mentioned above are ideal for soundproofing recording studios and other rooms where recording takes place. However, there is another alternative we’d like to highlight.
IAC AudioMetric Booth
IAC Audiometric Sound Booth
The IAC Audiometric Booth is a top-of-the-line soundproofing product that provides superior noise control and sound isolation in any space it’s installed in, so it is perfect for recording booths and studios. Constructed from heavy-duty reinforced steel and soundproof panels, our innovative sound booth features thick walls that provide the best soundproofing on the market.
5 Common Reasons for Soundproofing Your Room
Everyone knows how important soundproofing a space can be, but many may not know all of the common reasons why soundproof rooms are beneficial. Whether you’re looking for an additional layer of privacy, improved sleep, or better sound clarity for your home theater, soundproofing can be an excellent investment.
So, here are five common reasons for creating a soundproof room.
1. Privacy
The most common reason for soundproofing a room is for additional privacy. In a commercial space, soundproofing is incredibly important for creating a productive environment and protecting private or proprietary information, whether in a bank, doctor’s office, HR departments, and more.
2. Mental Health
With the chaos of life, it’s essential to take time for yourself and relax in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Whether you’re meditating, doing yoga, reading a book, or journaling, soundproofing a room can create the perfect space for your mental health and emotional well-being.
3. Home Comfort and Better Sleep
Everyone is impacted by sound. There are sounds that energize us, sounds that relax us, and sounds that are distracting. When there are noises in our environments that are disruptive that we cannot control, it can significantly impact our quality of life. So if you have a neighbor with a bellowing voice, there’s someone who listens to loud music nearby, or street traffic and other outside noises are excessive, soundproofing a residential room can be really helpful.
And some of us are more sensitive to sounds than others. We’ve worked on many projects in schools and health care settings for people with autism who can be dysregulated by unwanted sounds and noises.
4. Prevent Hearing Damage and Other Health Concerns
Unknowingly, many of us are exposed to intense levels of sound in our homes or workplaces. This can include traffic sounds, construction, noisy appliances, and other harmful sources that might surprise you. Industrial manufacturing facilities can create significant noise that should be limited for safety.
In the long run, consistent exposure to higher noise levels can lead to physical and psychological health issues, including hearing loss. When you soundproof your room or business, you can reduce the risk of hearing damage and protect yourself and your loved ones or colleagues from potential health risks.
5. Heightened Acoustical Control
Whether you’re trying to set up a home theater or recording studio, soundproofing can dramatically improve the acoustic control of your space. Soundproofing your room will ensure that outdoor noise doesn’t bleed into your space while simultaneously creating an ideal environment for the perfect sound mix. Likewise, if your studio or theater generates a lot of loud noises, soundproofing will ensure that people in the adjacent spaces aren’t bothered by those sounds.
Home Theaters and TV Setups
Jeff Autor’s Home Theater using absorptive SoundSuede Acoustic Wall Panels.
Soundproofing is especially important for home theaters and TV setups. If you want to create the ideal home theater experience, a soundproof room is the way to go.
Home Studios for Podcasting and Music Production
PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blankets block sound from leaving a residence
Podcasting and music production is more popular than ever, which means people are also investing in creating studio spaces in offices and homes. If you plan to record in a space where machines, mechanical systems, or other people will be generating noise while you are recording, proper soundproofing is key.
Discover the Best in Soundproofing and Sound Control with Acoustical Solutions
Overall, the benefits of soundproofing a room are clear: reduced noise, improved privacy, more productivity, and more comfortable living. There’s no better way to soundproof your property, whether commercial or residential, than with Acoustical Solutions. All the products listed above and more are just a few clicks away.
Our revolutionary soundproofing products and technologies are second to none, complete with user-friendly installation instructions and high-quality, durable materials that make the soundproofing process simpler than ever. Contact us today to learn more about how to soundproof a room, home, or business!
To learn more about how Acoustical Solutions can solve your noise control problems, use our contact form, call one of our Acoustical Sales Consultants at (800) 782-5742, or visit us on the web at acousticalsolutions.com.
