More and more people are wondering how to soundproof a room and how much this work costs.
There are many reasons to acoustically isolate a home, but one of the most common is linked to the need to disconnect from the daily hustle and bustle.
Previously, soundproofing houses or buildings was a luxury that not everyone could afford. But today, there are alternatives that fit different budgets and realities. Therefore, these jobs have experienced a significant demand in recent years, especially in the noisier and more urban Spanish cities.
And it is precisely in those areas where silence is scarce, it is where it makes the most sense to hire this type of soundproofing work.
At the end of the day, coming home and feeling peace, tranquility, serenity, and calm is something that is priceless.
DISCOVER HOW TO SOUNDPROOF A ROOM AND HOW MUCH IT COST
Do you want to know how to soundproof a room and how much it costs? If so, we invite you to read until the end.
On this occasion, we will tell you about the process that must be carried out to soundproof the room in your apartment, or even various rooms in your home.
It is also important that you know that by soundproofing spaces you will be saying goodbye to noise, and you will also be gaining new comforts.
Indeed, one of the biggest gains is linked to thermal insulation. And is that soundproofing is closely related to energy saving.
What happens is that the house is properly heated, and this has a positive effect on your electricity bill.
Right now you can soundproof from one wall to an entire home. Therefore, the starting point is to identify the area you want to intervene.
In case you decide to soundproof an entire room, you should familiarize yourself with the implementation of this type of work.
Steps to soundproof a room
Below we will explain how to soundproof a room and how much it costs to get down to work.
- Window soundproofing
Windows are one of the most important elements that need to be soundproofed in a room since sound usually enters and exits easily through them.
You must bear in mind that the insulation in the windows is proportional to the thickness of the glass you have chosen.
Experts recommend installing double-glazed windows since this creates an empty air chamber or a mixture of gases.
Consequently, it prevents sound from easily passing through the glass and prevents that annoying vibration that generates more ambient noise.
Likewise, it is essential to pay attention to the type of glass so that the results obtained are as expected.
Some are specially designed to isolate light, while others also isolate noise (so your choice will depend on the degree of soundproofing you’re looking for).
window profiles
Window sills can’t be neglected or underestimated either, in case you’re wondering how to soundproof a room and how much it costs.
It is advisable to use PVC profiles , since their acoustic insulation is greater . Consequently, they are able to muffle noises, instead of bouncing them back.
Currently, it is more useful and functional to use PVC profiles instead of aluminum (basically because this material is 1,100 times more insulating).
Another aspect to consider is the type of closure. In this case, the most suitable thing is for the windows to be tilt -and-turn (those that can be opened from above and from the side).
These models prevent the entry of noise or bustle from the outside with greater effectiveness and efficiency.
- Soundproofing of walls
If your walls are very thin and you hear noises extremely easily, it would be great if you soundproof them.
Nowadays, experts choose to build a second partition , whose interior space is usually occupied by a highly absorbent material.
Polyurethane foam is usually used , which is applied by spray and injected into the already closed walls.
In addition, it is crucial to distribute said foam evenly so that the soundproofing is optimal and functional.
Other insulating materials
In parallel, acoustic insulation sheets can be used , as well as fiber panels . Although some companies also offer the solution of the air chamber to improve soundproofing .
Either way, materials need to be fairly dense. The thicker and denser they are, the more sound they will absorb.
In general, you should know that damping compound is one of the strongest all-purpose sound insulators on the market.
But you can also take advantage of other insulation materials, such as:
- The fiberglass.
- The drywall.
- Door soundproofing
There are some simple and cheap mechanisms to soundproof doors, but in reality the results are not that efficient .
If you really want to say goodbye to outside noise, you need to invest in a fairly thick door that is not hollow.
The doors that comply with these characteristics prevent the amplification and filtering of exterior sounds.
- Soundproofing of floors and ceilings
A viable option to soundproof the ceiling is to place a false ceiling and put insulating foam between them.
Generally, the same wall soundproofing systems are used when soundproofing floors and ceilings.
Some homeowners choose soundproofing systems that add an additional layer or two of drywall. Additionally, the floor can be covered with soundproofing mats and then covered with rugs to maximize the desired effect.
Nowadays, the most efficient material to soundproof a room is wood. That is why it is so common to work with floating platforms that have strips of polyethylene foam as a base.
These strips are usually dense, and therefore, generate a separation between two structures. In simple words, they do not maintain direct contact and therefore prevent sound from traveling freely.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO SOUNDPROOF A ROOM WITHOUT WORKS?
If you’re on a tight budget, but still wondering how to soundproof a room and how much it costs, this information might be of interest to you.
The truth is that you can soundproof a room without incurring major works that involve a large outlay of money.
Here are some tips you could follow if you want to move in this direction, based on your current capital and soundproofing needs:
- Install thick curtains. That way you can mitigate the entry and exit of noise through the windows.
- Put tapestries on the walls of the room.
- Paper your walls. Instead of installing drywall, you can take advantage of the paper’s ability to absorb noise (it can also improve sound insulation).
- Try lining the walls with wood paneling.
- Paint the walls with an acoustic insulating paint. They contain a ceramic additive capable of trapping sound waves.
- Put thick rugs on the floor.
- Install wooden furniture (such as large bookcases).
- Put acoustic foam on the ceiling and walls.
- Divide the spaces.
Try to make some partitions, and even lower the ceiling, to reduce noise. Keep in mind that the larger a room, the easier the sound can spread.
In particular, you must fill all the spaces in the room so that the sound does not travel easily.
HOW MUCH?
Prices depend on several factors, such as the system chosen and the materials to be used. But in general terms they are close to the following figures:
- Acoustic insulation of walls: between $50/m2 and $160/m2.
- Soundproofing of ceilings: between $80/m2 and $170/m2.
- Floor soundproofing: between $30/m2 and $170/m2.
- Renovation and insulation of windows: between $100 and $300 per window (depending on the chosen material).
If you choose PVC with double glazing to soundproof the windows, the price is usually around $400 (not including labor).
Suppose you want to completely soundproof a room of 10 m2. In that case you will need between $1,600 and $5,000.
On the other hand, if you are curious about how much it would cost to soundproof an entire apartment, about 100 m2, including walls, floors and ceilings, take a good look at the following figures.
On average you would have to invest between $16,000 and $50,000, which is significant and considerable.
In any case, it is best to contact a company specialized in this type of work .
Their professionals will listen to your needs carefully, evaluate your budget and offer you the most pertinent solution.
IS IT WORTH SOUNDPROOFING A ROOM?
Now that you know how to soundproof a room and how much it costs, the question that remains is whether it is really worth it.
And the answer is yes! Especially if you live in very urban and noisy environments and want to disconnect from the outside hustle and bustle when you get home.
Without a doubt, you would be making an important investment. But if you really appreciate the value of silence and calm in your own apartment or home, you will not hesitate to do it.
Honestly, there is a before and after of acoustic insulation. And as if that were not enough, you will also receive benefits in electrical matters.
Remember that a well-soundproofed home usually keeps the rooms properly heated.