DIY Soundproofing: 4 Methods for Soundproofing a Room

Soundproofing is the process of making a room resistant to the passage of sound waves and the management of how sound travels throughout your home. The purpose of soundproofing walls and ceilings is to block sound and outside noise from entering the room and increase sound absorption of noise created within the room.

Soundproofing DIY projects aim to dampen the acoustical qualities of interior hard surfaces like drywall or hollow-core interior doors while also increasing noise reduction at exterior weak points, like windows or entry doors. Here are four ways you might consider soundproofing a room.

1. 1. Add mass to an existing wall. There are many sound-absorbing soft materials capable of diminishing interior sound waves and lessening the echo off walls, ceilings, and floors. A low-cost option is to line your walls with recycled egg cartons, or you can use more professional materials, such as an acoustic foam or other commercially available option—foam panels or tiles are easy to install. In lieu of acoustic panels, you might be able to mimic the effect by selecting sound-dampening furniture like a full bookcase or a thick rug.
   
2. 2. Renovate with soundproofing in mind. If you are in the renovation stage of your soundproofing project, there are soundproofing materials you can attach to framing components that can reduce impact noise transferred between rooms. You can add batt or fiberglass insulation between studs and ceiling joists and resilient channels or mass loaded vinyl (MLV) that will create damper space between the stud wall and the first layer of drywall.
3. 3. Soundproof your door frames. Like windows, doors are a common entry point for sound transmission. Consider swapping out your lightly constructed hollow-core doors for solid-core doors to help stop noise—but keep in mind that this option might be costly. A cheaper way to reduce unwanted noise from air gaps around a door frame is to install a door sweep or draft stopper at the bottom of the door.
4. 4. Soundproof your windows. Exterior windows are common entry points for airborne sound to leak into your room. If your home is not already equipped with soundproof windows, you can consider adding sealant, caulk, or weatherstripping to your window frame. If caulking your windows seems too time-consuming, you can install heavy-duty blackout curtains or specialty soundproof curtains for a quick fix.

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