At the end of the day, we want to get home and disconnect from the daily hustle and bustle, especially if we live in urban environments where silence is scarce. If you are a light sleeper or your apartment walls are so thin that you constantly hear the neighbours’ noise, you surely have considered isolating your home acoustically. Let’s discover how to soundproof a room cheaply.

Soundproofing your house or a room will help you find that precious silence, but also, as soundproofing comes hand in hand with some thermal insulation, it can save on heating and air conditioning as it will help you keep your house heated. Of course, before getting down to work, you must decide what type of soundproofing you are looking for: a wall, a room or the entire house.

How to soundproof a room cheaply?

If you are going to soundproof a wall, the best option is to build a second partition and that the interior space is occupied by absorbent material. The most common is polyurethane foam. This foam is applied in a spray and is injected into the already closed walls and distributed evenly. You can also use mineral fibre panels. The degree of insulation depends on its thickness.

When it comes to acoustically isolating a ceiling, the procedure is similar to the wall. It is about building a false ceiling and introducing insulating material inside.

If you want to reduce the footsteps’ vibration and are going to soundproof floors, an economical and effective option is insulating material slabs such as polystyrene.

Another key entry point for noise is the windows. If you are going to soundproof windows, you should pay attention to the glass. The insulation in windows is proportional to the thickness of the glass you have chosen. Therefore, it will improve substantially if you install double-glazed windows. The type of glass is also important: some isolated from light, noise or both.

Another point to take into account is the window frames. While aluminium is lighter, PVC ones will give you more acoustic insulation as they dampen noise instead of bouncing it.

Regarding the type of closure, the tilt-and-turn windows – which open from the top and the side – are the ones that best prevent the entry of outside noise.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SOUNDPROOF A ROOM

The price of the soundproofing room changes depending on the materials used and the dimensions to be soundproofed. The most economical material is polyurethane foam (from 5 / m2) and polystyrene slabs (from 10 / m2). If you are going to install wool-filled plasterboard partitions, the approximate cost is 140 / m2.

Broadly speaking, the budget you should have in mind to soundproof the different spaces in a room are the following:

The acoustic insulation of walls usually costs between $ 50 / m2 and $ 160 / m2.
Soundproofing ceilings usually have a price between $ 80 / m2 and $ 170 / m2.
The soundproofing of floors usually costs between $ 30 / m2 and $ 170 / m2.
Renewing windows can cost between $ 100 and $ 300 per window, not counting labour, which could add $ 80 to $ 200 more for each window.

DECORATION THAT HELPS YOU SOUNDPROOF

If the noise level is low but annoying, there are decorative tricks that will help you lower the decibels at home without the need for complete soundproofing:

• Divide spaces. The larger a room, the easier it is for sound to spread and echo in every corner. You can make partitions or lower the ceiling to reduce noise levels.
• Books against noise. Another good idea to reduce the noise that comes from behind that wall is to put a shelf or wooden shelves full of books. You will create a thicker wall against decibels.
• Ally, yourself with the tissues. Thick-woven curtains and rugs can absorb those cluttering noises.
• Technology that calms. White noise machines and apps that play monotonous frequencies will help you focus and cover up the noises that bother you.
• Insulating paint. There are different types of paints and varnishes with insulating properties. Another option is to apply a coat of Silent Running before painting the room. It is a water-based and non-toxic liquid capable of absorbing vibrations.
• Cover the wooden walls. Wood panels absorb less intense noises and provide warmth. They will help you mitigate the sound and achieve great decorative results.
• Check the closing of doors and windows. Make sure they close properly, and in case the doors do not reach the floor, you can install a sweeper that will help you isolate the room acoustically.