The Complete Guide to Soundproofing Your Home

From construction and other street sounds to indoor noise culprits like thumping pipes or the thunderous banging of the toddler living upstairs, today’s homes are noisier than ever.

Whether you’re building a new home or are seeking ways to soundproof an older building, there are many ways to quiet the din and bring some much-needed peace into your home.

Today’s soundproofing methods have moved far beyond saving your old egg cartons and tacking them to the wall. While they require a more significant investment than recycled egg cartons, the soundproofing materials now available to homeowners are sophisticated, inconspicuous, and can be retrofitted for older buildings or integrated seamlessly into your home as you build. Beyond simply reducing noise, investing in soundproofing your home can also:

If you’re looking for ways to quiet the noise, keep reading to learn more about how to soundproof your home.

Common Problem Areas

Unwanted sounds can enter your home through the even tiniest cracks and gaps. If you’re trying to pin down the source of noise, start your search with these 7 common problem areas:

Windows: Windows are the most common entry or exit point for noise, with single-pane windows and wood frames offering the least resistance to sound. The most effective option for soundproofing existing windows is to replace them or supplement them with interior soundproofing windows. Double-glass panes can reduce noise by up to 20% and vinyl frames can reduce noise by up to 50%, but custom-fitted soundproofing interior windows will offer the greatest reduction in noise, blocking up to 95% of exterior noise. Learn more about how soundproof windows work.

  1. Walls: To reduce sound transferred through a wall,soundproofing materials such as recycled cotton batts, additional layers of drywall, or double walls suspended on vibration-absorbing materials, can be retrofitted for older buildings or added as walls are constructed. Affixing acousting panels to soundproof existing walls can help reduce noise transfer if remodeling isn’t an option.
  2. Doors: Doors are the largest gaps in a wall, which makes them the weakest link when it comes to soundproofing your home. Installing door sweeps and sealing door frames with an acoustic sealant or caulk, especially for exterior or hallway-facing doors, is an inexpensive way to reduce noise entering a space through the doorway.
  3. Ceilings: The most effective (and most expensive) solution for soundproofing a ceiling is to suspend new drywall from a vibration insulation system. Less expensive alternatives include acoustic ceiling panels, which are now available in a number of attractive styles that can integrate seamlessly with your interior decor. Soundproofing insulation between floors can also help dampen noise.
  4. Floors: Carpets and rugs can soften reverberation and reduce sound traveling to floors below you. For carpeted floors, thick rubber padding is recommended. If you are installing hardwood floors, gluing (rather than nailing) flooring can help reduce noise, as nails can transfer sound to the subfloor.
  5. Attics: Many attics, especially in older buildings, are poorly insulated, so adding insulation is often the first line of defense when soundproofing. Extra asphalt roofing can also increase noise tolerance, especially if you live near an airport.
  6. HVAC: Pipes, furnaces, and other HVAC fixtures can be serious sources of noise. If you’re soundproofing these elements of your home, it’s best to take care of them during initial construction or as part of a major remodeling project.

Soundproofing Retrofits for Older Buildings

The most effective soundproofing strategies employ multiple sound-blocking and sound-reduction methods, including:

  1. Adding mass
  2. Sealing gaps
  3. Isolating sounds

From simple fixes like tightening window fixtures to major projects such as replacing ducting or adding drywall, there are many ways to incorporate these qualities and soundproof older buildings.

1. Add Mass

As you increase the amount of material a sound has to travel through, you’ll see a greater reduction in the amount of noise entering a space. There are several ways to add mass to block or dampen major sources of noise:

Easy fixes
Major projects

2. Seal Gaps

Sound vibrations can travel through even the tiniest crack or gaps.

Easy fixes
Major projects

3. Isolate sounds

Identifying major sources of noise and taking steps to reduce or eliminate the noise at the source can have a significant soundproofing impact.

Easy fixes
Major projects

Soundproofing Your Home As You Build

Soundproofing a new home as you build often is about finding a balance between function, appearance, comfort, and cost. In addition to the soundproofing fixes listed above, here are some ways to soundproof as you build:

1. Add mass

2. Seal gaps

SOUNDPROOFING TIP: Stay away from expanding foam sprays—these materials are designed for thermal insulation, and can actually increase noise transmission.

3. Isolate sounds

Conclusion

All soundproofing materials need to satisfy three qualities:

  1. Add mass
  2. Seal gaps
  3. Isolate sounds

Whether you’re soundproofing an older building or are incorporating soundproofing materials and tactics as you build, there are many ways homeowners can effectively reduce the amount of noise entering and exiting their home. Understanding problem areas such as windows, doors, walls, and ceilings, can help you determine which methods are the most appropriate for your home. Before you undertake any major soundproofing projects, it’s always a good idea to talk to the professionals about potential solutions and what’s possible in your home.