For most of us, our bedrooms are the best places to sleep, relax and escape the outside noise. Soundproofing your bedroom will defiantly provide you with maximum relaxation. Therefore when constructing or renovating your room, it is essential to invest in the right soundproofing system. There are several ways you can block unwanted noises from your bedroom. For that reason, we have prepared this detailed guide on how to soundproof a bedroom in 15 different ways. Read on to learn more!
Why Should You Soundproof Your bedroom?
Soundproofing materials and techniques aim to absorb or block out impact and airborne noises from outside. They also help to keep sounds in, providing privacy and protecting your neighbors from loud music or exercise.
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The most important reason to soundproof your bedroom is to control and reduce loud noises that flow into and out of your room. Again, it will promote privacy and ensure that your neighbors or other people in your home do not hear your private conversations.
Undoubtedly, soundproofing your room improves your quality of life and sleep, enhancing your health and safety. While you may think of excess noise as an annoyance, it can seriously affect your physical, mental, and emotional health.
Further, soundproofing your room with increased density in your home structure and also enhance heat retention in the room. Over time, you will notice a reduction in gas and electric bills which means you will save money in the long run.
Here are 15 easy and effective methods to quiet the noise from your bedroom.
1. Install thicker carpets or rugs
Proper flooring will contribute to noise reduction. Installing thick carpets and rugs is one of the simplest and most effective methods of soundproofing a bedroom. The modern carpet or rug will work by absorbing the noise caused by sliding furniture and footsteps.
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You can use thick wall-to-wall carpeting, which will work effectively but using the best area rugs on the parts of the floor you use the most will also work. However, suppose you already have a carpet or rug that is not as thick. In that case, you could also consider installing soundproofing underlayment to enhance noise absorption or even replacing them with thicker carpets.
If a thick carpet is not a great option, consider layering a soundproofing mat
or rug over each other to attain your desired style while still absorbing sound. For example, putting a geometric flatweave rug over a sisal rug looks amazing and will help with noise issues.
2. Invest in acoustic windows
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Installing acoustic windows is also very effective for absorbing sound. Acoustic glass is constructed with laminated glass, panes of glass, and a bonded layer to absorb sound and vibration. Depending on the sound reduction you need, the glass panes can vary in thickness, so as the glass thickness increases, the decrease in internal noise levels will improve. The installation process for the acoustic windows should be done by a professional.
3. Insert Ceiling Clouds
Ceiling clouds will be a great way to reduce noise in a large bedroom. This is because the cloud ceiling will absorb the sound waves from within and outside the room. Basically, they absorb the sound as it travels towards the ceilings and then again as it bounces back onto the floor. This dual absorption reduces and dampens echo, making a noisy room quiet.
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Clouds feature outstanding design, flexibility, visual interest, excellent sound absorption, and superior aesthetics. In addition, the ceiling cloud package has all the necessary hardware for proper installation, making the installation easy.
This acoustic foam is placed on the ceiling, and any distance from the ceiling will work well. The best part is that you can install these acoustic panels yourself by following the instructions provided in the guide provided in the package.
4. Invest in soundproofing curtains
Installing soundproofing materials can also be a great way to control bedroom noise. Soundproofing or acoustic curtains are made of thick polyethylene foam, velvet, or suede. Usually, they have a porous surface that allows them to mitigate sound leakage making your room quieter.
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High-quality and effective sound-absorbing curtains are usually heavy, tightly woven, and run from ceiling to floor, with some inches going past every side of the window. Essentially the blackout curtains cover as much area around the window as possible. The fantastic bit is that the installation process is easy and will only take a few minutes.
5. Seal and weatherstrip the door
The door frame in your bedroom often leaks sound, even when closed. Foam weatherstripping will seal the gaps through which sound waves travel. The good bit is that there are different weatherstripping options to choose from. Remember, you must ensure that whatever option you choose can withstand weather or temperature changes and the wear-and-tear specific to your home.
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The best method to make your bedroom more soundproof is to install a wraparound door sweep, acoustic sealant, or foam tape that touches the floor. Doors usually require two kinds of weatherstripping foam tape for the top and sides and door sweeps for the bottom.
For proper installation, you will need to clean the stop molding with soapy water and allow it to dry. Then cut the foam tape to fit the top and sides of the door. Next, peel the back of the foam and press it into the inside part of the stop molding. When the top and side are done, you can now proceed to cut the door sweep to fit your bedroom door. With your door closed, screw the door sweep to the door so that its bottom is in contact with your floor.
6. Upgrade Your Bedroom Door
Another ideal choice will be to get a solid core bedroom door to prevent unwanted noise. Bedroom doors hollow or made with a thin wooden board are noisier than those with a block of solid wood. However, you can get a new solid wood or metal door to cut out the sound.
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A solid wood door tends to dampen the noise rather than block it. On the other hand, metal doors are incredible for bouncing sound waves in the opposite direction. However, it is necessary to note that some fire codes in different countries limit the use of heavy metal doors from being used inside.
7. Use a sound booth
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You can soundproof your bedroom using a sound booth like in recording studios. Not only does this technique help reduce the sounds bouncing toward you, but it also helps to isolate the sound before it can bounce around your space. The best example of this kind of solution would be to use a customizable sound booth or even turn your closet into a sound booth that ranges between $50 and $2000, depending on the size.
8. Rearrange Furniture
The best furniture to dampen noise is upholstered furniture. Chairs or sofas that are upholstered in plush fabrics like suede, microfiber, or chenille can be ideal for sound absorption.
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You will need to place your soundproofing furniture as close to the source of sound penetration as possible. For instance, if most unwanted sounds are coming through a certain wall, you can put the soundproofing furniture against that wall.
Rearranging the furniture in the room and producing distressing noises can also work. For example, if you have a study area in your bedroom that constantly receivers noise from a tv in the next room, you will want to change the position of the tv and point them towards the upwards direction or the ceiling. This way, the sound produced by this TV will bounce down towards the living room rather than spread to the next room.
9. Wall Hangings
Having a wall hanging is a great way to add pattern and color to your space, and since it is also an effective way to help absorb sounds, it will be a great solution. If you cannot change the structure of your room or need a temporary noise reduction solution for a good night's sleep, the hangings will also work. You can hang up art and tapestries to block out and absorb loud noises from the walls.
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Felt wall art is a great and creative option. However, if you want to retain your existing artwork, you can ask for a framing service to add foam core to the back of your canvas art for even more sound absorption.
10. Soundproofing Bedroom Walls using a drywall
The best way to soundproof bedroom walls effectively is to use drywall. This method will be simpler if you build a house, but it can still work for already built houses if you plan to remodel your space. You can build or replace the existing drywall with special soundproofing drywall.
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Generally, the sound causes a vibration that reverberates, and the best way to stop the sound surges is to use a heavy and dense material to keep them at bay. Soundproof drywall panels have an inner layer consisting of gypsum, viscoelastic, and ceramics, which makes them much more resilient to sound wave transmission. Also, applying the caulk between drywall sheets can help absorb the sound. You should spread about 3/8 inch-thick of acoustical caulk.
11. Use Sound Absorbing Paint
Another perfect solution for dealing with loud noise will be to use sound-absorbing paint. This pain is specially designed to absorb sound waves traveling through walls. Although this method deals with a wide range of frequencies, it will work perfectly if you want to deal with noise from your own house.
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The amazing bit about this method is that it can be found in any hardware or DIY store near you. Most sound-absorbing paints are designed to act as a sound sponge. The pain is applied like the regular pain, but it feels a bit thicker. It is important to note that sound-absorbing paint will not protect you from high frequencies and low frequencies like planes or outside traffic.
12. Install special soundproof wallpaper
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You can consider using soundproof wallpapers if you want a cheap soundproofing solution for your bedroom. These wallpaper are made up of several layers of materials that include a layer of acoustic foam or similar material to help block loud music or noisy neighbors.
Unlike most other soundproofing solutions, installing the soundproof wallpaper is easy. Again these wallpapers come in different colors and designs, meaning you can soundproof a bedroom without compromising the interior decor.
13. Hang acoustic panels
Acoustical foam panels are soundproofing solutions that can reduce and absorb noise in your home drastically. Depending on the size of your bedroom, acoustic foam paneling can be quite expensive, but it is certainly of the best soundproofing solutions.
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Acoustic panels absorb unwanted sounds, and you can hang them like art in your bedroom. The amazing bit about using acoustic paneling is that the panes are lightweight and come in various colors.
The affordable panels, like these foam panels, are also easy to install. Generally, you want to place the panels on the opposite wall from the sound source for maximum sound absorption.
14. Use soundproof film on the windows
Another effective way of reducing unwanted noises from your bedroom is acoustic dampening window films. Typically window films are made of plastic vinyl or environmental PVC, making them reusable and simple to apply and remove.
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The main advantage of using soundproof films is that they will block noise and maintain your window's transparency. So, if you are working with limited funds, you can consider using this method rather than other methods that will only block out the light.
The soundproof films are also easy to install, and you can apply them to both sides of your window glass panes. To install them, you first need to clean and completely dry the glass panes so the film adheres efficiently. Then, press the film firmly onto the panes ensuring you leave no air bubbles. Finally, to enhance the film's effectiveness, you can consider sealing the edges of the windows with acoustic caulk.
15. Using a Soundproof Blanket
A soundproof blanket will also create a dramatic ambiance in your sleeping quarters. The soundproofing blankets are heavy and thick, making them suitable for dampening noise. In addition, these blankets are fiberglass, easy to install, and absorb sound pretty well.
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Although this method will improve sound absorption, it is not an attractive way to put it in guest bedrooms. You can use a hook to hang a soundproof blanket on your bedroom door whenever you want to block noise. The fantastic bit is that this method gives you ultimate flexibility and control.
How Much Does It Cost To Soundproof a Bedroom
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There are many options for soundproofing a bedroom, meaning the costs will range widely. Normally you can spend roughly $10 to $30 per square foot for professional soundproofing installation for an existing room and around $12 to $25 for a new room. This means a standard room will cost between $1,044 and $2,725, with an average cost of $1,800.
You can choose to soundproof your entire bedroom from the ceiling, wall, and floor, or you can also soundproof certain sections. Of course, soundproofing the whole room will be costly. Here is a breakdown of the average cost of different soundproofing surfaces.
1. Cost of soundproof bedroom walls
You can use different methods and materials to soundproof your bedroom walls. Roughly it will cost you around $100 to $350, depending on the type of method you pick and the size of your room. The cheapest method to soundproof your walls will be Rockwool Insulation which will cost around $1 to $2 per square foot. Resilient channel over existing drywall is one of the most expensive methods, costing between $150 to $200.
2. Cost of soundproofing bedroom door
Soundproofing bedroom doors cost approximately $300 to $3,500 for new construction and $500 to $4,000 to substitute existing doors with soundproof options. However, if you have existing doors, you can try making smaller, less expensive upgrades to see if they provide a reasonable level of soundproofing before replacing the entire door.
Some of the soundproofing door projects you can try that are relatively affordable are Acoustic Door Thresholds which will cost between $30 to $100, Soundproof Door Seal, which will cost $35 to $90, and Door Sweep, which will cost between $60 to $120. Acoustic Panels on Door for $100 to $300, and Replacing Hollow Core Doors with Solid for around $150 to $200o.
3. Cost of ceiling soundproofing
The prices for soundproofing bedroom walls and ceilings do not differ much, but the installation process does. Most materials used for ceiling soundproofing are quite heavy and, in most cases, might need a professional to install them for you, meaning additional cost. Of course, you can use a cheaper method to insulate the noise if the level is not that high.
You can apply soundproofing paint to the ceiling for a total cost of around $200 to $300, a soundproof Blanket for $300 – $450, acoustic Wall Panels for $2 – $5 per square foot, and Foam Insulation for $2 – $3 per square foot.
4. Cost of floor soundproofing
Soundproofing a floor is more effective in new construction, but you can always soundproof an existing room using carpeting. Carpeting will damper sound, and a soundproof underlayment between the rug and the floor will do an even better job.
Carpet installation will cost around $1– $11 per square, and Floor Underlayment will go for $0.20 – $0.50. For floor soundproofing, you might consider using mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) for around $150 per 40-square-foot roll.
5. Cost of windows soundproofing
When it comes to windows soundproofing, there are different methods. For example, you can add soundproofing items to the windows, like curtains, for less than $50 or use soundproof film, which goes for around $10. However, you could also opt to replace your existing windows, which will cost $300 to $1,500 per window, for more effective window soundproofing.
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