How to Soundproof Rooms in the Home

There are many reasons to soundproof areas of a home. Outside traffic and noisy neighbors may contribute to a lack of sleep. If there is a child in the home, soundproofing a nursery allows the baby to sleep without being disturbed. Many professionals work from home now and find it necessary to create home offices where they can have meetings without distractions. If there is a musician in the house, investing in soundproofing materials will allow them to play to their heart's content without disturbing the rest of the household.

There are a few approaches that can be taken to soundproof a home. Some are fairly simple, while others require more work and a larger budget.

Furniture:

Sounds bounce and reflect off hard floors, ceilings, and walls in empty rooms. Adding furniture to a room provides greater insulation. The mass in heavy bookcases, shelves, and couches all help absorb sound. Adding them to a room naturally helps block out noise.

Soft Surfaces:

Covering walls with tapestries helps reduce sounds because soft surfaces absorb them. There are noise-reducing curtains that have the added benefit of blocking out light, which is great for nurseries or bedrooms. Add rugs to the floors to cover areas where sounds travel from. This will help muffle the noise. To go even further, panels made with materials such as cork, soft foam rubber, and polyester fiber are all excellent at absorbing sounds.

Although it may not be visually appealing, a quick and resourceful solution is to use thick blankets or foam pads to cover windows. You may consider this option for a temporary need.

Weatherstripping:

Close gaps under doors by installing weather-stripping materials to seal off outside sounds and prevent drafts. These materials can be installed all around the door frame if necessary. Home improvement stores sell weather-stripping kits that make this process easier.

Drywall:

A larger budget is required to install a thick layer of soundproof drywall. However, it is one of the most effective ways to soundproof a room. Use a dampening compound to secure it as this helps block out noise.

Many options can be taken to soundproof a home. Start with the easiest methods first, and consider more extreme solutions such as adding drywall if necessary.