How To Soundproof A Bedroom – Noisy neighbors, living in a populated area where the sound of honking cars is normal, the usual hustle and bustle of city life, all of these sounds can affect your night’s sleep. You’re probably wondering how to reclaim the peace and quiet in your home in order to sleep better at night. But is there any way you can keep the sound away?
How To Soundproof A Bedroom
What Is Soundproofing
Tips On How To Soundproof A Bedroom
Other Rooms: How To Soundproof Your Home Or Apartment
What Is Soundproofing?
If you have a noise problem where you live, soundproofing your home or apartment may be the logical step to take to reduce the sound of loud noises around you. Soundproofing is a method where acoustic treatment is used to reflect, suppress, diffuse and absorb noise or sound coming from a particular source. This can be achieved through insulation from various sources or by using double glazed windows to prevent the outside noise from filtering in, to name a few [1].
How To Soundproof A Bedroom
What Is Soundproofing
Tips On How To Soundproof A Bedroom
Other Rooms: How To Soundproof Your Home Or Apartment
Tips On How To Soundproof A Bedroom
Are you wondering how to soundproof a bedroom? It is understandable that you would like to keep the sound away from the area where you sleep. After all, our bedroom is our sanctuary which means that we want to keep the loud sounds away as much as possible. The question though is how to soundproof a bedroom on your own?
Here is a list of techniques that you can try out:
Install thicker carpets
The sound of walking feet or paws for that matter, on floors, can vibrate in your room which can be annoying at times. The best solution here is to install thicker carpets or mats to help muffle the sounds of your feet. Carpets and mats are sound absorbing too which is why many apartment dwellers install them, for an added layer of privacy.
Seal the door
How to soundproof a bedroom door? Your door frame may have a gap at the bottom which can cause sound to emanate through entry surfaces into your bedroom. If you want to make your room quieter, you will need to install a draft stopper, seal, or door sweep at the bottom, to seal up any openings where sound can easily pass through [4].
Consider acoustic windows
If your window frames tend to rattle from the vibration of passing trucks or at the sound of loud music, consider replacing existing windows with acoustic windows. Acoustic windows are actually a good investment since they are specially constructed to impede the sound waves that are coming from the outside. Another plus to having these kinds of windows installed? Your cooling and heating bills will reduce dramatically as well.
Plug up sound leaks
If your bedroom is constantly bombarded by noise at specific hours such as in the morning such as when the garbage truck collects trash, assessing where the noise is the loudest will help you plug up the leaks. Is it the window sill that needs extra caulking? Perhaps installing a plush chair near a corner can absorb the sound? Pinpointing the exact location where the sound is coming from is key to resolving your noise problem.
Hang a ceiling-mounted drape
Another trick on how to soundproof your bedroom is to install a ceiling-mounted drape on one side of the wall, preferably where you will be placing the head of your bed. Not only does this help reduce the sounds bouncing toward you, but it will also create a dramatic ambiance to your sleeping quarters as well [5].
Soundproofing foam
If you are on a budget but would like to drown out the sounds that are coming from outside, getting your hands on cheap soundproofing foam can do the trick. Not only do these wall panels help reduce the amount of sound penetrating your space, but they also come in a variety of designs and styles which can add flair to your bedroom.
Add background noise
Most people who complain about loud noises are those who are living in apartments. This cannot be helped as the common wall or walls in many cases tend to be thin. Noise coming from the apartment ceiling is also a common complaint of most tenants with upstairs neighbors. With that said, one way to soundproof your room is to play your own background noise, such as soothing nature sounds or music, in order to neutralize the sound. Although this trick simply masks the external noise, it is a simple and effective solution for those on a budget.
Invest in a sound booth
Even if you’re not a budding musician, converting your bedroom entirely into a sound booth will be better for everyone. Similar to a recording studio, converting your room into a soundproof sound booth will keep external noises away as well as prevent internal noises from disturbing others [6].
Blankets
Can you soundproof your bedroom for free? Well, hanging thick blankets on your door and windows may help. Although this is not exactly the most effective means of blocking out the sound, it will do in an emergency, such as trying to quiet the room for a sleeping infant.
Make your own window plugs
Bedroom windows are a major source of where noise emanates through and one way to keep the noise level at bay is to install a window plug. A window plug is a type of window covering. It can be made DIY, using foam or a soundproofing mat, one thin wooden board for support and finally, an adhesive. Not only does making a plug for your window reduce the sound decibel, but it can also act as insulation during winter. This is a great project to start with that will help keep the noise and the cold at bay [7].
How To Soundproof A Bedroom
What Is Soundproofing
Tips On How To Soundproof A Bedroom
Other Rooms: How To Soundproof Your Home Or Apartment
Other Rooms How To Soundproof Your Home Or Apartment
It’s hard to have quiet enjoyment in your home or in your apartment with all the racket happening around you. One way that can help you sleep soundly is to soundproof the walls. The sound vibrations can rattle the windows, your door, and even your glassware. With that being said, here are a few tips that you can do to soundproof your home at large.
Hang door curtains
If you are living in an apartment and you can hear the incessant sound of voices in the hallway, installing blackout curtains on the inside of your door can help absorb the sound that penetrates your entryway. Draw them in when you are inside to muffle the sounds coming from your neighbors.
Weatherproof the door
As mentioned before, another trick that you can apply to reduce the sound in your home is to seal any gap in your front door. Installing a door sweep at the bottom of door frames, especially one that has this thick rubber strip, can close the gap in the threshold completely. Not only will this keep the sound at bay, but it can also prevent dust, drafts, and critters from entering your home [2].
Install extra drywall
Typically, sound causes a vibration that reverberates. The best way to stop the waves of sounds is to use a heavy and dense material that can keep them at bay. Installing an additional layer of drywall is one of the best ways to deaden the sound vibrations. Applying caulk in between sheets of drywall can help with the absorption of the sound coming from outside. Apply about 3/8 inch-thick of acoustical caulk to keep the sounds at bay. When done, refinish and repaint the drywall you have installed on an existing wall and extend electrical outlets for easy access.
Install acoustic panels
Another trick on how to soundproof walls in a room is to install acoustic panels in order to absorb the sounds even before they bounce off the walls as well as the ceilings. This is typically installed in a home theater room or a music room, and the like, but you can also install it in the space of your choice if you wish to reduce the noise [3].
How To Soundproof A Bedroom
What Is Soundproofing
Tips On How To Soundproof A Bedroom
Other Rooms: How To Soundproof Your Home Or Apartment
How To Soundproof A Bedroom Resources:
[1] Sound Block; Soundproofing Technologies And Techniques.
[2] The Spruce; Easy Ways to Soundproof Your Room or Apartment, Deirdre Sullivan, November 07, 2018.
[3] Houselogic; Shhh! 9 Secrets for DIY Wall Soundproofing, Dave Toht.
[4] Sound Proof Cow; Tips For Sound, March 02, 2018.
[5] Safe Bee from UL; 11 Ways to Soundproof Your Bedroom, Deborah Skolnik, March 14, 2016.
[6] Modern Castle; Cheapest Way to Soundproof a Room.
[7] Sound Proof Living; 10 Ideas On How To Soundproof a Room Cheaply – Or Even For Free!.