You can soundproof a wall during construction or add soundproofing material to an existing wall. There exists several ways of soundproofing a wall suitable for different budgets. There have been tremendous improvements and innovations in soundproofing techniques today and these revolutions have resulted in efficient and cost-effective soundproofing methods.
How to easily soundproof an existing wall
Before beginning to soundproof an existing wall, there are critical things that you must understand and the materials you need to carry out the project. First, check where the noise comes from, and secondly, locate and mark studs with a pencil or chalk. Then begin to fill the walls with soundproofing materials and fix them firmly to the studs with screws or nails. Ensure you seal all the seams using barrier tape and install acoustic panels in place. Then install a gypsum board atop the layer and finally, seal all the gaps using a sealant. Remember you should finish the gypsum board following industry standards. Now you understand the basic steps to follow when installing a basic soundproofing system to the already existing walls.
There are more ways to DIY soundproofing on your walls today than before.
Tips for dealing with noises from the neighbourhood
As you already know about soundproofing systems, when you have a neighbour with all the racket kids that make maddening noise all the time, keep calm, don’t cross paths with your neighbours but follow these simple steps to your side of the wall and their noise will become history to your space.
- Assess where most noise is coming from and install soundproofing materials as required. Simply put it this way; the kids from the neighbours make noise to their walls and not yours, so treat your side of the wall to avoid all the menace and embarrassment.
- You can decide to mass load vinyl and other industrial materials known to decipher noise that can burst your eardrums. You can sandwich these materials in between the walls to keep the deafening sounds off.
- Having known that sound leaks like water or liquid do through openings and cracks, prepare a formidable sealant or caulk to fill all the gaps on the walls and the sealings. Pay special attention to switch boxes, doorways, and door casings.
- Use acoustic panels to absorb irritating sounds and clarify the sounds made within the room and reduce sound transmission through the walls. The best part is; you can customize acoustic panels to suit your home decor.
- As the saying goes, ‘the empty drum makes the loudest noise’. The same applies here, fill your spaces with objects such as seats, tables, and other furniture to absorb the noise levels. When your rooms are sparsely filled up, even the smallest noise reverberates and the sound is amplified causing everything to become loud inside the room. Furniture will help absorb echo and minimize the noise.
- Combine your soundproofing systems for better noise management. If you are thinking of getting better noise management, combine two or three methods for better results. You can add an extra layer of acoustic panels to your primary soundproofing system. Combining several soundproofing systems on your walls improves your sound defence.
Summing it up, if you are looking for cheap ways to manage sound in your rooms, traditional ways may do the job but you should consider the installation of sound reducing panels available today to better manage noise inside your rooms.