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Silence is Golden: The Ultimate Guide to Soundproofing an Apartment
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People often come to me with noise problems after moving into a new apartment. They find a nice apartment that fits their budget and schedule a visit during their lunch break when the building and street are totally quiet. Then they sign the lease and move in only to realize their neighbors are noisy, or loud sounds from outside disrupt their sleep. Between loud televisions next door and highway traffic outside, their new place isn’t the peaceful retreat they envisioned.
Just last week, I was talking to a customer, a mother who had just scored an apartment a few blocks away from her office. It was a beautiful, light-filled space with two spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms. She told me how thrilled she was to have a quiet and private space to get ready for work in the morning. When she visited the apartment late morning on a Wednesday, the entire building seemed like a perfect home—comfortable, convenient, and peaceful.
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Apartment Interior Photo by Patrick Perkins on Unsplash
After moving in, she realized the walls were paper-thin; she could hear everything the neighbor was doing. When they watched the latest singing competition, she was practically forced to listen in. At night, her kids had trouble falling asleep because the neighbor’s television was so loud.
Apartment noise doesn’t always come from neighbors. I’ve seen issues where apartment tenants struggle to sleep because of highway traffic, planes, or nearby trains. Whether the noise is from inside or outside, soundproofing an apartment is essential for maintaining a comfortable living space.
Understanding Apartment Noise Sources
Before jumping into soundproofing solutions, it’s important to understand where the noise is coming from. Different types of noise require different approaches:
Airborne Noise vs. Impact Noise
- Airborne Noise: Comes from voices, music, television, and outside traffic. It travels through walls, windows, and doors.
- Impact Noise: Comes from footsteps, furniture movement, or objects dropping on the floor. It travels through floors and ceilings.
Common Noise Sources in Apartments
| Noise Source | Best Soundproofing Solution |
|---|---|
| Noisy neighbors (TV, voices) | Acoustic Wall Panels |
| Footsteps from upstairs | Sound absorbing ceiling panels |
| Traffic noise | Window seal kits |
| Noisy hallway | Door sweeps, acoustic door seals |
Soundproofing an Apartment: A Step-by-Step Guide
Since making structural changes to an apartment is usually not an option, renters need non-invasive solutions that don’t require major renovations. Here’s how to tackle different problem areas:
1. Soundproofing Windows
If the noise is coming from outside, the first step is to soundproof the windows. Windows, especially older single-pane models, allow a significant amount of noise to enter.
Best Solution: PrivacyShield® Window Seal Kit
- Creates an acoustic barrier to reduce external noise.
- Easy to install and remove.
- Provides excellent thermal insulation as a bonus.
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Soundproofing a window is easy with PrivacyShield
2. Soundproofing Doors
Apartment noise often comes from the hallway. Many doors are too thin and don’t tightly seal the door frame, allowing noise to pass through easily.
Best Solutions:
- Automatic Door Bottom: Seals the gap at the bottom of the door, blocking noise.
- Acoustic Door Seal Kit: Helps seal door gaps, preventing sound from leaking in or out.
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Automatic Door Bottom Surface Mount #367
3. Soundproofing Walls
If you can hear your neighbors talking or watching TV, the walls are not blocking sound effectively. Since major renovations aren’t typically allowed, renters need removable soundproofing solutions.
Best Solutions:
- AlphaSorb® Barrier Acoustic Panels: Reduces sound transmission and improves aesthetics.
- PrivacyShield® ABBC-13 Soundproofing Blankets: Temporary, effective, and removable.
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AlphaSorb® Barrier Acoustic Panels
4. Soundproofing Ceilings
Loud walking and banging noises from upstairs neighbors can be frustrating. The best way to address this is by using ceiling-mounted soundproofing materials.
Best Solutions:
- Resilient Sound Isolation Clips: Helps create a floating ceiling, reducing impact noise.
- Acoustic Ceiling Baffles: Reduces reverberation and enhances sound absorption.
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Resilient Sound Isolation Clip RSIC-1
5. Soundproofing Floors
If your downstairs neighbors complain about noise from your apartment, or if you want to reduce noise from below, floor soundproofing is necessary.
Best Solutions:
- Heavy Rugs with Soundproof Underlay: Reduces impact noise without permanent modifications.
- IsoStep® Soundproofing Underlayment: Provides superior noise reduction under carpets and hardwood floors.
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Iso-Step Soundproofing Floor Underlayment
Additional Soundproofing Solutions
Not every renter has the budget for high-end soundproofing solutions, so here are some cost-effective options:
- Weatherstripping tape for sealing gaps in doors and windows.
- Heavy blackout curtains to help absorb external noise.
- Bookshelves as sound barriers against noisy walls.
- White noise machines to mask disruptive sounds.
Achieve a Quieter Apartment Today
When someone comes to us, they are often fed up with the noise entering their apartment. They may even be losing sleep. If this sounds like your situation, know that there are real, effective soundproofing solutions available.
I’ve helped countless apartment dwellers improve their living space with non-invasive solutions, and I’d love to help you, too. Whether you need window seal kits, acoustic panels, door sweeps, or soundproofing blankets, I can guide you to the best solution for your needs.
Get Started Today!
Don’t wait any longer—take the first step toward a quieter, more peaceful apartment by contacting us today!
If you want more information on how to soundproof and block sound, you may want to read:
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.
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