How to Soundproof a Room on the Cheap

Installing high-quality furnishings, such as solid wood doors, thick carpeting, and triple paned windows, will naturally inhibit sound from entering any room. Of course, outfitting your room in this way can be quite expensive. If cost is an issue for you, consider using one or more cheaper alternatives.

Soundproof Windows

Home windows will allow noise pollution to enter your room if not installed correctly. Hanging heavy curtains, or using acoustical caulk around the window frame are two easy and inexpensive ways you can reduce incoming sound. Moving furniture or heavy decorations in front of problem windows is another quick, effective method.

Soundproof Walls

Thin walls can be another source of unwanted noise, especially if they are adjacent to noisy areas. Increasing overall wall thickness will greatly increase the sound resistance in your room. Simply put, the sound waves will have more material to travel through, decreasing their potency.

Room designers, homeowners, and contractors use several techniques to increase overall wall thickness. Installing sheetrock, and other decorative materials, is one common method. Not only is this technique unobtrusive, but it also adds a dimension of beauty to a private study or office. If beauty is not one of your priorities, you can even stack egg cartons and other insulative materials against existing walls, to great effect.

Another popular option involves installing an inexpensive layer of drywall over the preexisting surface. The key here is creating a layer of sound-resistant insulation between wall layers.. Even a small gap will trap air, greatly decreasing the amount of sound that can easily pass through the new construction. Of course, the use of sound resistant installation will create the greatest sound resistance.

Placing existing home furnishings, such as sturdy bookshelves and paintings with high-quality frames, against thin walls is another easy method for increasing wall thickness.

Small Details Matter

When it comes to soundproofing a room, small details matter. Before renovating existing walls or windows, conduct a throughout walk-through. Look for any obvious gaps in walls, windows, or doors. As mentioned earlier, using sound resistant caulk in window frames will greatly decrease sound pollution. Plugging the space under doors with either towels or a specially-designed door bottom is another is one of the best ways to prevent sound entering from adjacent rooms or hallways.

Conducting work efficiently in a noisy environment can be an almost impossible task. But by using a few simple techniques, any noisy room can be effectively “soundproofed” inexpensively and easily.

Source: http://www.backtoplastic.com/?page_id=85, November, 2012

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-make-a-room-soundproof.htm#lbimages, November, 2012