Whether you simply want to block out noise in your bedroom from the outside while you sleep or you want to create a recording studio, there are many soundproofing materials in the market today.
As a self-published author, I made the decision to record my own audiobooks at home versus paying thousands of dollars to rent a studio. To do that however I have to create a soundproof area in my home in the mini soundproofing options below will help tremendously.
I chose to use a walk-in closet in my house as the space to use as a recording studio. I know it will have to be soundproofed very well because not only do I have two little dogs that like to bark at every noise they hear, there is a train track that is very close to the back of my house.
Trains go by about every 15 minutes so there is no way to record even a chapter without the train whistling and making noise as it passes by, so I will have to soundproof very well to ensure there is no background noise while I am recording the audio versions of my books.
While the closet in which I am going to use as my recording studio is in the front of my house away from the train tracks, my bedroom is in the back of the house. I may use some of these ideas in the future to at least muffle the sound of the trains, especially at night time when Iโm trying to get to sleep.
From sound deafening paint to acoustic foam panels, covering the walls of any room you want to soundproof in some type of sound-absorbing material is extremely important in this process. The great part about these soundproofing wall materials is that the majority of them are very cost-effective and should work with most budgets.
Related: Types of Portable Soundproof Rooms | Types of Soundproof Insulation | Types of Soundproof Blankets | Types of Soundproof Windows | Ways to Soundproof Your Bed | Types of Soundproof Curtains
Soundproofing vs Sound-Absorbing
When it comes to creating a sound studio for audiobooks or music or even creating a bedroom that blocks out at least some of the sound from the outside world so you can sleep better, there are sound absorbing products on the market and soundproofing ones.
Some options will even do a little bit of both. Echo absorbing materials are used to make the sound quality inside of the room you are using much better and can be installed on the walls or ceiling even as a finished surface in the room.
Soundproofing materials are used inside the room instead of on the outside and can even be part of the construction of the room, such as soundproofing insulation. They work to bounce the sound back into the room rather than the sound penetrating and going to the outside.
Basically, you are using two different methods to achieve the goals of creating great sound recording or a quiet room for you to sleep while blocking the noise thatโs also going to the outside of your house or building.
Whether you are attempting to soundproof a room or simply block out noisy neighbors, train noises, the sound of nearby traffic, or other outside noises, some of these products may work for you although not all of them will make your room completely soundproof. All of these products will reduce the amount of noise coming into your room, office, house, or building.
You can use any of the options below to soundproof a room or a combination of several of them. I plan to use several different options and I am probably going to go for the least expensive ones for now as I see how it works for me to record my audiobooks from a home studio.
Whether you work the night shift and or just trying to get a good sleep in during the daytime hours when everyone else around you is super busy or youโre trying to create a recording studio in your home or you simply want to block out noise in your house, the options below are very good ones in many of them will not break the bank.
Take a look at this list, including the information provided with each soundproofing product, to see if some of these may work for you and allow you to have the peace and quiet you need and deserve.
Types of Soundproofing Wall Materials
1. Acoustic Foam
Created with open-celled foam, acoustic foam is many times used for acoustic sound in a variety of places, including recording studios. It is not too pricey and can be purchased via the internet on a variety of sites, including Amazon, as well as music stores and other places. This foam is designed to attenuate airborne sound waves while creating a reduction in their amplitude.
Acoustic foam is great for noise control or noise reduction and the energy created from the sound is dissipated as heat. Acoustic foam comes in a variety of sizes and thicknesses as well as different colors but does it really work when it comes to soundproofing?
The answer is no, not that well. The egg-box style phone does not stop the sound for example from your neighbor firing up his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and it does not stop the sound from leaving the room you are in.
In other words, it will not block all of the sounds, but it is great for sound absorption which means it will muffle the sound. It is great for improving the sound in a small size room, as my closet for instance, or in a smaller boardroom, home recording studio, and home theaters.
Acoustical foam is slated to be non-dusting which means it wonโt crumble over time which is a definite plus. Since it comes in a wide range of colors it will also make your studio look sophisticated and chic but again, if you are going for total soundproofing of your room, this is probably not going to be the best option.
Acoustic foam is fairly easy to install. You simply use some command strips, hook and loop strips, or even spray adhesive to attach the foam to the walls and ceiling of the room you are working in. If you think you may want to move them at some point, it is highly recommended that you use removable adhesive strips so that process will be easier for you when the time comes.
2. Sound Absorbing Foam
Sound absorbing foam, also referred to as soundproofing foam, is created with a closed-cell foam that is tightly woven to create a more dense material that works great and absorbing low-frequency sounds. You can use this as an alternative to the acoustic panels or in conjunction with them.
These also come in an array of different colors, shapes, and sizes. These foam panels look more attractive on your walls to spruce up a home theater room or sound recording studio without the look of the cheap egg crate style of the acoustic foam.
Although the egg crate style is not as attractive the foam spikes trap sound in between them which makes the acoustic panels better for soundproofing than these, although these are way better than not having anything at all on the walls of the room in which you want to reduce outside noise and make the sound inside better. It will also lessen impact noise in the room so it would be great for a drum room or band room.
3. Acoustic Panels
Acoustic panels are basically a wooden or metal frame that is filled with sound absorption material such as cellulose, open cell foam, fiberglass, mineral wool, or a combination of some of these. The acoustic panel is then wrapped in the fabric in a variety of colors and patterns so they will look pretty on your walls.
They almost look like a large picture frame and a decoration when hung on your walls. Some people like these better than the foam-style panels because they think theyโre more attractive.
These panels absorb sound waves to reduce the amount of general noise and they will help to clarify speech Ann limit reverberation in the walls of the room you are working in. They work pretty well in reducing mid to high-frequency sound waves but do not block the outside noise entirely.
You can purchase these already made or make your own if you so choose to. Basically, they are created to be sound absorbers more than sound reflectors. Acoustic panels are sometimes referred to as sound panels or sound absorption panels.
4. Acoustic Curtains
There is a variety of soundproof curtains on the market today that are made from a triple weave fabric that makes them denser and more effective at blocking out sound. They can also offer additional insulation for your house or the room you are working in.
If they are made from thermal material they couldnโt reduce energy costs and absorb sound at the same time. Many people simply buy a thick thermal pair of blackout curtains that are normally used for people who sleep during the day because they work the night shift and need to block out the sunlight.
These curtains are a great option to use in a bedroom, a home theater, or even a babyโs nursery, as well as my home recording studio for my audiobooks. The closet I want to use for my studio does not even have a door right now so I think this style of curtain may be just the answer.
You could also use these curtains in your windows of the room in which you want to block out noise, such as a bedroom, and it will cut down on your energy costs as well.
Industrial noise can also be blocked out by these types of curtains so it may be a great option for an office area of a factory. Acoustic curtains actually work better to improve the sound within the room versus blocking the sound from escaping or coming into the room.
Either way, acoustic curtains are a great option to add to the room you are attempting to soundproof as they can also be hung around the room on the walls to help muffle outside noises.
5. Moving Blankets
Moving blankets are a great option to hang on walls or in doorways to block out sound since theyโre very thick endurable. They are normally used for people who are moving to another location and have to transport their furniture, appliances, and other large items that are valuable to protect them from being damaged.
These blankets are constructed with thick padded material and weigh a couple of pounds each. They will not only help to block out sound but they will keep a lot of the sound from your studio, building, or room inside.
6. Door Sealing Gasket and Sweep Kit
A door sealing gasket and sweep kit normally come with three-door seals and three-door sweeps that you can use to treat up to three doors. These kids are easy to install in are great for the door to a studio that you want to soundproof or even an apartment where unwanted noise travels inside or out.
The foam gaskets are a cheap way to help make a door more soundproof in the door sweep parts black out the sound that can be transmitted underneath a door.
Keep in mind that it is better to have thick steel or wooden door instead of a hollow one thatโs going to block out noise in the first place. You can also use acoustic blankets or curtains in conjunction with the door sealing gasket and sweep kit to make your doorway even more soundproof.
7. Soundproofing Insulation
Soundproofing insulation, also known as acoustic insulation, is great to use inside of the interior walls and the ceiling of a home, building, or even a room. If you are creating a room addition to your home to use is a studio or a bedroom in which you want less noise to come inside, this would be a great option for you.
You can also use this type of insulation around doors, wiring, and plumbing, and it helps increase the air quality in your house, building, or room. It can also help reduce your energy costs so there are a lot have positives when it comes to using soundproofing insulation.
Soundproofing insulation is usually created by using fiberglass or mineral wool in the insulation itself and acts as a noise barrier.
8. Mineral Wool
Mineral wool is created from any fibrous material, including molten mineral material or rock materials which will create a highly dense material that will trap sound waves and deaden vibrations. It is a great tool for noise insulation and will minimize the noise coming from other offices in an office building, bedrooms where you want to get a good nightโs sleep, conference rooms, or even spaces close to busy roads.
This makes me think that this material would be great for my home studio because it may help block out the noise from the passing trains on the railroad tracks Outback. It is also fire resistant but it is an insulation-style material so it may not be very easy to install in a room that is already constructed. It can be done it will just be more difficult and time-consuming.
9. Soundproof Fiberglass
Soundproof fiberglass can be used in insulation but you can also purchase it as a sound insulation board which will not only absorb echoes in the room you are working in but will make your wall look pretty since they come in an array of patterns and colors.
These panels will deaden the sound or achieve sound blocking coming from the outside as well as the sound coming from the inside and they are great for the walls of a recording studio, a Home Office studio, entertainment theater rooms in your home, and on the walls of offices to cut down on the noise between each office. They are safe for pets so you can even use them in a dog kennel so your dog can sleep more peacefully and some churches are even constructed with this type of insulation or panels.
They are often used in rehearsal rooms, concert halls, in podcasting studios. Fiberglass insulation can even be used in the floors or ceiling of the room to help soundproof the room, building, apartment, or home.
The soundproofing fiberglass panels can be purchased or you could make your own wood frames to put the material inside in space them around the room to cut down on noise. If youโre in the process of building a home or an office building, now would be a good time to tell your builders that you want fiberglass soundproofing materials used in the insulation of the structure.
10. Mass Loaded Vinyl
Mass loaded vinyl is great for soundproofing basements, apartments, recording studios, filming studios, conference rooms, utility rooms, and even cover plumbing. It can even be used to noise-proof cars, appliances, and machinery. It is a great material to enhance high-end stereo performance well also blocking out the sound of traffic and, in my case, barking dogs, and trains.
You can buy this material in mats that can be hung on walls used on floors or in a variety of other places Where you want to cut down on noise going out and then while having a great sound quality within the room itself. You can use it on almost any type of surface which makes it even more versatile.
11. Egg cartons
It may be a myth or an old wives tale, but you actually can use egg cartons to dampen the sound in a room, at least a little bit. It is not the best plan but biodegradable pulp fiber egg flats that are used to store up to 30 larger small eggs is a great option to put on the walls of a room that you want to soundproof.
Since the egg cartons are made of cardboard, they are very inexpensive and can diffuse sound waves through their shape and the paper materials that are used in creating them.
While they will not completely soundproof a room, they will reduce the sound within the room and the sound coming into the room by diffusing the sound waves when the waves are spread out from the shape of the egg cartons which also changes the way they move into the room.
12. Carpets or Rugs
Adding carpeting or an area rug to any room will help soundproof it because the rug dampens the vibrations from noises and helps reduce the transfer of sound to a certain extent.
It is not the best option but it certainly makes a difference. It is also a less expensive way of getting rid of echoes and helping to reduce some amount of outside noise. This is especially great if you have hardwood floors and the best rug to get is one made of soft wool there is plush and fuzzy.
The wool is the best material for dampening sound so this makes sense. The fuzzy wool fibers help trap any ambient sound that is coming throughout the room. This is a great sound insulation option especially for a recording studio since it does absorb the ambient sound that is very noticeable on recordings that you do not want.The rug works best if you point the microphone that you are using towards the floor where the rug is located. You can also put a rug on the wall to help soundproof as well as using it over windows in the room.
13. Floor Underlayment
Floor underlayment is a great option for sound absorption and can also be used on your walls. It can be attached to wood and laminate flooring as well as painted walls and even walls and floors made of bamboo. It normally comes in a pack of two for a total of 400 square feet so it is pretty economical.
It is a bright blue color and has adhesive strips on one side so you can lay it down over a subfloor or right onto your actual floor or a wall. It will also act as a vapor and moisture barrier just as an added bonus. It is made from recycled fibers and is compressed and heat-treated to form a very rich and resilient sound-absorbing material.
14. Sound Deadening Spray
The sound deadening spray is a very unique option and it is also known as boom mat spray. It is like the liquid spray version of the mass loaded vinyl sheets that we talked about earlier and it will cover up to 20 square feet of the wall or even the trunk of your car, compartments in your car or room, as well as doors in windows since you can fill in gaps with the spray too. The sound deadening spray will reduce any unwanted noises in vibrations.
You only have to apply a thin layer of this spray to reduce sound and vibrations. It is usually made of rubber or vinyl which is what it looks and feels like after you spray it on your wall, car doors, room doors, windows, or other surfaces. The sound-deadening spray will even cut down on road noise so Iโm hoping it works for the trains that I have that come by my house every 15 minutes.
15. Sound Deadening Paint
Sound deadening paint will dampen the sound of any echoes, tinning noises, or ringing throughout your house or from the outside. This type of paint is environmentally friendly and it is non-toxic so it will not hurt you to breathe it as you use it or any children or pets who live in your home or visit your business.
Once it is on your walls, doors, or other areas, it can be cleaned easily with just soap and water so itโs easy to care for and maintain.
You simply apply it with a brush or roller or spray it on with a hopper spray paint gun. It normally comes in a bright white color with a flat finish so it will go with any decor and style. It is a soundproof paint that has been called a myth by some people, although many people who have used this product for soundproofing proclaim that it works just fine. You can also paint it onto your wall as an underlay and then use the color you want on top of it.
You can even paint your walls as part of a soundproof barrier before adding but some of the other things on this list, such as acoustic panels, carpeting, or other sound barrier materials. Customers who have used this paint say that it works best in conjunction with those other soundproofing options but it definitely helps and is not a myth.
Since we know that when you soundproof something the thicker the material is the better for it to block and absorb sound, you can pretty much expect that the soundproof paint alone will not be the solution to your noise problem but in conjunction with other things itโs definitely an added layer of protection no pun intended.
Soundproof paint has been called โa mythโ, but letโs look at this group of soundproofing materials and you can decide. Soundproofing paints on the market can be rolled on, or sprayed on. Paints can only be applied in thin layers, so spraying will allow a thicker coat and is the recommended method of application.
16. Sound Decoupling Products
To soundproof a room or any other structure, you need to decouple the materials that transmit the sound, such as the walls, ceiling, floors, and doors.
a. Noise proofing Compound (Green Glue)
A noise-proofing compound, such as Green Glue which seems to be the most popular type of sound decoupling product on the market today which means it will transmit the sound within the room and it is great for walls, floors, doors, and ceilings.
The Green Glue products are all the rage right now when it comes to soundproofing materials and they come in the same type of packaging as caulking does that you use around countertops and bathtubs.
Since the tube is styled that way it is super easy to apply and is great to use around sound dampening materials that are either in the construction of your soundproof walls or the materials or outlets that are in or on the walls of the room in which you want to soundproof.
It will seal holes, gaps in the walls or ceilings, seams in the drywall, the open space around outlet plugs, and any other open spaces. You simply apply it around things like electrical fixtures, screw holes in your wall, electrical boxes, or around any other open spaces that can weaken the links in your soundproofing project throughout the wall space in the room in which you want to soundproof.
It will reduce noise leakage which means it will keep noise in if you are recording music with your band, for example, and it will help to keep noises out of the room, studio, office, or other structure, from the outside world.
b. Resilient Channel
Resilient Channels are sheet metal rails that specially designed to be mounted across the studs of walls and the joists in your ceiling. They should be placed over the soundproofing insulation that you have installed in the drywall that is not attached to the studs so that it can be directly attached to the resilient channels.
Research has found that you can have a gain of up to five STC levels if these are properly installed into your ceiling or into the wall of the room in which you will need to have soundproofed.
The arrangement may look a little weird, but it will work as a sound shock absorber. Rather than the sound being transferred through the normal rigid assembly of your wall, it is absorbed and redirected by these resilient channels. It will reduce sound transmission from the room, even during construction, but it needs to be used in the hanging of the drywall so it can be attached to the studs.
If your room is already constructed, and you do not want to rip into the walls and renovate them using resilient channels, this would not be the product that you would want to use for soundproofing.
The resilient channels can be enhanced by using dual layers of various thicknesses of drywall with a layer of sheetrock in between that is used for soundproofing. If you are constructing a room, house, or building that you want to be soundproofed before the construction process starts would be a great time to incorporate resilient channels into the plans.
c. Soundproof Drywall
Source: Lowes
Soundproof drywall is known as sheetrock on steroids because it combines multiple layers of the gypsum board with layers of other materials, such as steel, to increase the mass of your walls and to increase the density which will, in turn, block sound from coming into the room or building from the outside.
If your room is being renovated and reconstructed or initially constructed, using soundproof drywall is the best option for soundproofing your room. Soundproof drywall is more expensive than regular drywall but it will be worth the money when you consider how well it performs when you are trying to upgrade to a soundproof room or building a fake fall to help with soundproofing.
You can also add this drywall on top of your existing wall with other soundproofing mechanisms in between, such as acoustic panels, and then you could put more acoustic panels or other soundproofing material on the outside of the wall after itโs all finish being constructed. If you are wanting to use the room as a studio for recording audiobooks or podcasting this is a great option to do even though it costs more money and more time.
d. Cork Soundproofing
Cork soundproofing material is an easy way to reduce sounds from coming into your bedroom, home office, studio, or other room. Cork is 100 percent a natural material which means it is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Not only is it an excellent thermal material that will save you a little bit on your energy costs, but it is great for soundproofing and also has anti-vibration properties.
You can apply it to your walls, ceilings, and floors as a soundproofing layer or as exposed panels on the surface. You can also use it under plywood or behind the drywall if you are doing construction or renovations as a layer of insulation for soundproofing and warmth. Cork is just the right density to be a great material to use for these reasons.
e. Sound Insulation Bats
Sound insulation bats are a type of acoustic wedge column that can be placed in the corners of your studio or whatever room you are soundproofing, including home theaters and other rooms, or onto the walls of the room you want to soundproof.
Most of the time, you will find sound insulation bats that are created using foam but some are made of wood or plastic material. They act as a sound-absorbing panel in most are fire retarded ingrate for spot treating the problem areas where the sound is coming through on the walls of your studio, office, home entertainment theater, control room, utility room, or other rooms.
They have acoustically treated wall corner columns that add an extra clean look and style to your room while adding extra sound absorption. They not only reduce unwanted noise and echo, but they help reduce reverb, flutter echoes, acoustic reflections you do not want, and other unwanted noises that are coming into the room.
This is a great way to have professional acoustic control of your room with these sound dampening and noise reduction sound insulation bats that are perfect for smaller or medium-sized rooms or in my case, a walk-in closet turned recording studio.
f. Soundproof Windows
Windows may not be part of the walls of your room that you want to soundproof, but they are certainly installed in the walls. Soundproof windows are specifically designed for soundproofing and are constructed by using several thick panes of glass with usually a layer of air or inner gas there is trapped in between the panes to prevent sound waves from leaking indoors. Soundproof windows can be installed right over the top of the existing window by using spring-loaded frames on tracks.
If you live in a large city or near a factory or some other plays that produce a lot of noise, the reduction of outside sounds transmitted into your house, studio, working area, building, or other space you want to soundproof will be very dramatic Anne can easily justify their higher price tag.
Soundproof windows cannot completely block out all noises but there are ways to help make your room even quieter, such as using soundproof curtains, blankets, wall hangings, or other materials over the top of your windows. This type of noise-reducing window will help minimize the annoying unwanted sounds you do not want to hear when youโre inside your house, bedroom, or studio.
Most homeowners want a quiet and serene environment inside their house and this is one way to achieve that by using soundproof windows. It will also reduce impact noises and reduce the overall noise levels by 75 to 95 percent. This is not possible to achieve by dual pane or replacement windows but soundproof windows can make it all happen. Soundproof windows are definitely a great option if you have the money to purchase them and the time to install them.
g. New Level Corner Acoustic Foam
Corner acoustic foam, also known as a bass trap, is a great way to step up the quality of your recordings inside your studio because it will remove any excess and unwanted sounds that are coming into the room.
Basically, you can create a professional-grade studio inside your home by using these corner foam pieces. They help prevent ambient noises and sounds from coming into your podcast, voice-over, YouTube video, or audiobook recording sessions.
You can also use them in a gaming room to add not only a very cool design aesthetic which will definitely amp up your ultimate gaming setup and make your room pop during live-streaming sessions, but it will also be the envy of all your friends.
A bass trap is a deep, thick piece of foam that is created to be installed in the corners of your rooms to reduce outside noise based on the idea that deep bass frequencies tend to bounce around a room and normally end up gravitating to the corners of your room before they reverberate out again.
The bass trap acoustic corner foam piece will trap the sound and absorb the bass in the corner of the room, giving you a better sound quality of recordings and much less noise in the room you want to soundproof. These acoustic foam corner pieces are 25 percent denser than similar products on the market. They are great to be used in recording studios, vocal booths, control rooms, home theaters, gaming rooms, and even offices.
h. Soundproof Door Seal
You can use the seal and sweep together for doors since they leak so much sound or you can just use a soundproof door seal. This strip is extremely affordable but is made of good quality material that works well at preventing noise to get into the room you are trying to soundproof.
It even works great for cars in campers, including recreational vehicles, so you can have some peace and quiet while youโre out on the road trying to relax and have a good time.
It would work great at the bottom of the door to a recording studio or any other room in which you want to cut down on the amount of noise coming into the room or escaping it. It is also great to use as weather stripping to cut down on energy costs.
i. Mattress Egg Crate Memory Foam Topper and Mattress Pad
While egg crate acoustic foam panels work well for sound absorption, regular mattress egg crate foam toppers and mattress pads will only absorb some amount of sound and will not completely soundproof a room.
If they are made of memory foam, however, they will absorb more outside noise is due to the fact that memory foam is a much denser material than regular foam so a memory from an egg crate mattress topper or pad may be good to put on the walls or ceiling inside a room in which you are attempting to soundproof, but it should be used in conjunction with other soundproofing tools.
I have an egg crate mattress pad or topper that is not being used currently in my household and I was considering using it on the ceiling and walls up my walk-in closet to diffuse some of the outside noises.
Learning what I have from this article, I think that I will opt to use other materials and only use pieces of it in certain places as needed. It is good to know though that it is a viable option if need be and it certainly a cheaper option if you already have one like I do lying around your house somewhere just taking up space.
j. Microphone Sound Isolation Foam Shield
Although a microphone is not part of a wall it can be part of the soundproofing system that you have in place in a studio for recording audiobooks, movies, music, podcast, or other things.
A microphone can be attached to the wall of your studio so you can stand to record allowing more room for your diaphragm to move while you are speaking which makes you sound more clear, articulate, and more professional. For the microphone, you will want to have a sound isolation foam shield that goes between the microphone and your mouth.
This soundproofing shield will help you achieve a great sound of your voice or the music you are playing in this shield will block out most of the sound this entering the room from the outside or hitting the walls and bouncing around the rooms as you are recording. Some places call this a pop filter for your microphone and the difference it makes in the sound is astronomical.
You definitely need to include this in any type of recording studio. The microphone isolation cover can be attached to a tabletop, or it can be installed right onto the microphone stand, even if your stand is attached to the wall or tabletop.
This noise filter is compatible with nearly all microphone stands. This sound isolation shield for your microphone will become your best friend when you are recording and will make a huge difference to the overall sound quality and product that you produce.
It also means that you do not have to do as much renovation to your studio walls if you do not want to, or you do not have the time and money to do so because this amazing and inexpensive product is going to block out a lot of unwanted sounds and increase the audio quality for you to the point that you will be extremely happy with the finished result.
FAQs
What is the best soundproofing method for walls?
The best and most affordable way to soundproof your walls effectively is to use soundproof or extra thick drywall to create a solid space. If you install it overtop of soundproofing insulation itโs even better and you can use acoustic shock in the corners and along baseboards. You can also use the acoustic chalk around any open spaces and around electrical boxes or outlets.
What is the cheapest way to soundproof a wall?
The cheapest way to soundproof a wall is through acoustic foam panels, cardboard egg cartons, or even thick heavy blankets.
What is the difference between soundproofing and sound absorption?
When it comes to creating a sound studio for audiobooks or music or even creating a bedroom that blocks out at least some of the sound from the outside world so you can sleep better, there are sound absorbing products on the market and soundproofing ones.
Some options will even do a little bit of both. Echo absorbing materials are used to make the sound quality inside of the room you are using much better and can be installed on the walls or ceiling even as a finished surface in the room.
Soundproofing materials are used inside the room instead of on the outside and can even be part of the construction of the room, such as soundproofing insulation. They work to bounce the sound back into the room rather than the sound penetrating and going to the outside.
Basically, you are using two different methods to achieve the goals of creating great sound recording or a quiet room for you to sleep while blocking the noise thatโs also going to the outside of your house or building.
How do you soundproof a shed?
You can soundproof a shed pretty much like you do any other space or room that you want to soundproof but one of the easiest ways is to take rolls of insulation and tack it to the pre-existing wall of the shed. Next, you will want to use plasterboard and screw it to the beams of the existing shed and that will help insulate the shed as well as reduce the amount of noise coming in or out of it.
If it is a metal shed, you will have to use gorilla glue in command hooks to attach these items to the walls of the shed. You can also use weatherstripping or door sweeps around the doors of the shed and down the center if itโs double doors to help reduce noise levels coming into the shed and that is leaving the shed.
Is bubble wrap a good option for soundproofing?
Bubble wrap is not the best idea for soundproofing a room. It does not work well for soundproofing because it does not have enough mass and density to it.
The air pockets that are throughout the bubble wrap may add the smallest amount of sound reduction but the upkeep and having to replace it often would not be worth the hassle for the small payout you would receive from it.
How do I block out noisy neighbors?
If speaking to them about the amount of racket theyโre making outside your house does not work, you can always try to reduce the noise is coming into your house by soundproofing as much as you can.
This could include adding soundproofing windows to your home which can be very costly or simply hanging up thick blankets over some of your windows and doors to block out some of the noise.
You could also purchase sound reducing curtains for your windows, add more rugs and furniture to your home which will help muffle the outside noises from your neighbors, or you could buy a white noise machine which may help to a certain degree depending on how loud your neighbors actually are been during inopportune hours throughout the day or night.