CHEAPEST Budget way For SOUNDPROOFING a Room
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- Опубліковано 22 тра 2024
- Soundproofing a room on a budget can be challenging sometimes but in this video ill show you every aspects of soundproofing for cheap! The 3 main places to look at when finding the cheapest way to soundproof a room is finding the cheapest way for soundproofing the door and soundproofing the wall and window.
Using materials that might not have the word acoustic on them will keep the price low. I compiled some alternative soundproofing material that will work almost just as good but at a fraction of the cost and keeping your soundproofing project on budget!
MY AMAZON STOREFRONT - amzn.to/47kB5gr
FULL ARTICLE with more tips - wp.me/p9FBmC-1WI
Links to the soundproofing products I talk about in this video. All links are from Amazon and are affiliate links which helps my content at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
1. Red Devil Caulking - amzn.to/3P0cpnP
2. DOOR SEAL KIT - amzn.to/3LirCNp
3. Weatherstrip Rubber - amzn.to/3neyu6v
4. U-Shaped Door Sweep - amzn.to/3qxTlQN
5. Mass Loaded Vinyl - amzn.to/45ygwfY
5. caulking dispenser 10 oz - amzn.to/3X3tQpp
6. Moving Blankets - amzn.to/3J7On6F
7. Acoustic Foam - amzn.to/3qA9R5C
8. Sound Deadening Curtains - amzn.to/2JbycJp
9. Single Panel Sound Deadening Curtains - amzn.to/2HBA0L6
10. Industrial Velcro - amzn.to/2TpQsR2
11. Baker Rod - amzn.to/3KaDIsU
12. Small Tool Set - amzn.to/3Aph9f1
Articles to check out for any soundproofing projects! Especially the DIY!
1. Doors - soundproofguide.com/15-best-w...
2. Windows - soundproofguide.com/how-to-so...
3. Floors - soundproofguide.com/how-to-so...
4. Ceilings - soundproofguide.com/how-to-so...
Bear in mind that some of the links in this video are affiliate links, and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
Consider SUBSCRIBING if you like this content! Thank You. #soundproofing #soundproof #caulking #diy #noisereduction #weatherstrip #diyproject - Навчання та стиль
Links to ALL products I recommend in the description of this video!
when i was in high school i bought a truck load of carpet foam padding to sound proof an old shop i used to practice in with an old band and we layered the whole room at least 3 times with carpet foam and hung moving blankets over all of that as well and you wouldnt believe how well it worked. we paid like a 100 bucks between 5 kids for all that and we jammed like clams while bothering anyone around us
That's awesome! Ever taken any pictures of that? It would be cool to see and have all the details for a possible Sorts video. info@soundproofguide.com if you wanted to share.
"While bothering anyone around us" so you sound proofed so you could could physically bother people? Right on.
@@SavantApostle Unnecessary criticism. Maybe he used voice recognition which can make all sorts of crazy errors. I'm just glad he shared the story.
Jammed like clams😂
Sometimes carpet stores get rid of the carpet samples when the manufacturers change colors etc. Never hurts to ask for free rectangles of carpet that already have nice edges
If you want to hang curtains to reduce outside noise (typically traffic), use the heaviest fabric you can find and have the curtain hang at one-quater of the the noise wavelength from the window. Assuming the centerband traffic frequency is 500 Hz, the 1/4-wavelength is just under 7 inches. Ideally, you want some extra material so the curtain is not tretched taut, but is a bit ruffled. This effectively varies the distance to the window and mitigates a wider frequency band of noise.
working nightshift and having a home built across the street makes me wish I thought of that, I put foam insulation sheets in windows and got custom molded ear plugs.
Just use a producers choice blanket for curtains works great
Legend
7 inches? That’s enough room to put in some plants on the window sill, or for your cats to bird watch.
Awesome knowledge thanks for sharing!
When our house was being built, I had the builder add insulation to the interior walls. I had this done for noise reduction. Noise originating in one room would then be less noticeable in adjacent rooms.
Opting for 5/8 drywall instead of the usual half inch is also helpful
I regret not insulating our interior walls. I don't want to open them back up. I am considering loose fill (it's just paper,) but I think it may not be worth the effort.
That should be standardvall homes the fact it isn't infuriates me I don't pay rent or buy a home to hear others sounds its basically defeating the object of having your own space
Caution on the moving blankets for window covering: the top fabrics are not UV stable and over time the sunlight will convert the tops to dust. They work and I use them but you will want to put some other stable fabric, like your light blocking curtain, between the moving blanket and the outside light. If you don't want the stylish moving blanket wall covering look, get some other fabric print and attach that to the moving blanket to convert it to a tapestry like in merry old medieval times.
Good point, nothing worse than wondering why the air quality is starting to go down in the room. Then have a neighbor start complaining because you have a blanket covering the window that looks like something from a haunted house (I'm thinking beauty and the beast style) 😅
I used moving blankets once for a quilt I made, it’s cheaper than the expensive wadding, but you can buy a UV wash additive by Rit Dye’s, use a spray bottle and spray the blankets with the solution that should help to extend the life of the blankets. I use it so that I can wash and hang my quilts out to dry in the sun this helps to stop the colours from fading when on the line and on the bed when the sun shines through the window.
Good idea! Was wondering if a couple of layers of cardboard next to the window first, then a moving blanket up against that would work. Could put some cool contact paper on the side facing out. Ppl wld be walking by going...dang, they had to use cardboard!😂
There were lots of good suggestions here. I have a basement studio and I have spent way too much money on soundproofing materials (only $100 when I told my wife how much😂). I know I’m gonna be irritated when theses small and inexpensive tricks do more than all the big, dumb, expensive things. Oh well… live and learn. Thanks for the great video.
As a voiceover performer, I won't work with them anymore, due to one job long ago where the amount of dust in the ones the producer had, literally hurt my voice.
The difference between deadening the sounds coming from inside a room, (echoes and such) and preventing sounds from outside coming into the room (traffic, TV, etc.) is an important distinction, that I had not considered before. Thanks for that!
Finally a video that is realistic and honest about soundproofing.
I used weather stripping along with those bottom door draft stoppers and it works very well.
I have to pull the door a little harder to make sure it closes properly which also tells me the seal is tight.
The biggest problem which you mentioned and no one else has is the air flow...
The room can get a bit stuffy and humid since the air flow has been reduced so much.
Open doors and windows for a while everyday
The best and cheapest sound deadened room is one you may already have... a walk in closet with both sides full of clothes... We used to roll the baby carriage in ours and you could have a party in the room adjoining the closet and it was a nothing more than a slight background murmur. I know a couple of people using theirs as recording rooms for podcasts -
Now that's a great suggestion
Dude. Dude. You may have just changed my life.
I cleaned my closet out and turned it into a vocal booth, acoustic foam all the way around even on back of the door, monitor, mic, guitar cable, even a webcam so you can live stream from there and see the performer from the control room
That’s a great idea when you just need a break from the screaming baby 🤣
True
I discovered using flat moving boxes cut to fit snug inside the window frame, fold the moving blanket around it then stuff it into your window frame.. super soundproof and will cost about 15 dollars for a standard window. Harbor Freight has cheap moving blankets and Home depot has cheap moving boxes👍
I just asked about cardboard! 😂.., seriously though, does it help, bcz that wld be a more affordable solution for me. In addition to the blanket of course.
@@micahthomas9521 I wish I had pictures but yes! It totally worked, good luck! What's cool is you can make more layers, but if you have the same snug fit I got, you'll see how good it is.
Wait what, does that work??? Currently I'm using cardboard but it doesn't mitigate any low vibration sounds like engines rumbling
@@user-need.advicee so when I did my bedroom window, I put the blanket up like a curtain and I got lucky my 2 flat boxes where the right size to shove into the blanket snug along the whole outer edges of the window frame. Got to make a good tight fit. And I hung another moving blanket on the back side from the top of the frame to look like a curtain as much as I could. Low frequency sounds are the hardest to block out, however, the position of our window didn't point directly at the street even though I was the front unit. Anyways, mine worked great. Best way to block low frequency like cars and subwoofers unfortunately is to add mass (like how theaters use concrete, velvet, and carpeting.) Hope this helps, it's a cheap fix in this case after all and doesn't address walls and anything else sounds can go through.
@@jrtama5 where can I buy mass vinyl?
I really like how practical and honest you are about the “soundproofing”. I’m a carpenter and I’ve had many clients expect pure silence on a busy street. I will be sharing this as they can hear from an expert there is no perfect sound proofing (in most scenarios)!
5:00 (apx) - For the lower door you need to have something you can put in place when needing to soundproof. Keep in mind, your lower door gap is needed for HVAC systems to function properly in circulating air. So if not needing soundproofing all the time, get something you can put in place when needed. IE: towel as mentioned.
Depends on the house. I have an HVAC return in each room, so the door gap is not part of the recirculating plan.
we have "snakes", basically 4-6cm diameter tubes of material filled with something inert, like dry clean sand (probably has something synthetic in it now) - heavy enough to stay there and block draughts/sound, but light enough that you can still open the door easily.
@@shawnbrennan7526And noise travels through your return ducts, too!
To improve sound and cut high frequency bounces, hang a heavy textile (rug, quilt) a couple of inches from a wall. Prettier than a moving blanket.
Bookcases decrease "too bright" sound because the sound bounces behind the books and gets lost. They can help minimize sound transmission from another room because the mass of a filled bookcase is high.
I am so glad this video actually uses “soundproofing” correctly. So many videos refer to acoustic treatment as soundproofing, and they’re totally different things, as you said. Thank you!
I did it, by attending auctions at offices...I bought 12 panels of cubicle walls for around 10 bucks....does beautifully! That's my recommendation., along with black out curtains and doors, it does a lovely job. yes, caulk everything, but blackout curtains. surprisingly they do an amazing job!
Great tips. Prevent the noise (and light) when you have a chance. If you ever build, these little things can make such a difference in quality of life. Even if you have a leak/repair, if the wall is open, add what you can then.
For windows you can use a piece of plexiglass cut to fit, and edged with weatherstripping so that you have a friction fit around the frame.
Aka an interior storm window.
Ooh, interesting! :)
I assume that placing it a few inches back from the window would be better than having it touch the window?
@@glowcube do you think it’d be effective on metal shutters ? To suppress crickets sounds and dog barking inn the distance
A lot of common sense and useful stuff for low cost soundproofing for everyday folks. And also the clearing up of what those acoustic foams pads actually do, which is they should only be used when YOU are the one making the noise and don't want it to escape. Thanks brother, keep it up!
tbh the foam isn't even so much about keeping your noise from escaping as much as it is about keeping your noise from bouncing around the room for ages giving you nasty reverb tails on your recordings. It'll do something for keeping your noise from leaving, but I doubt it'd do much, especially if you only have a few panels hung on your wall
I live in a apartment with sheetrock between myself and the airbnb on the other side. I can't put up loaded vinyl and more sheet rock so I went the moving blanket route. It works to some extent. It doesn't fix the problem but you will get less noise from the other side. Also blackout curtains work very well for the noise and privacy. I also got some dense foam from packaging and put some of it up on the wall. It adds to the sounddeading, but not as much as furniture in the room(Or in my case empty boxes around the room).
Thanks for this! I live in an 80 year old house next to a 4 lane road with typical air brakes, emergency vehicles, atypical exhaust, horns & extreme car audio systems noise interfering with my workday and movie nights - I've been considering replacing windows and doors as well as drywall to reduce the noise, but these tips will be much less expensive!
Best of luck! Let us know how it all works out!!
Did It work?
@@mukeshsharma1151they never come back with feedback 😒
Thanks for the advice! My friend tried to buy the foam squares and received extremely flimsy knock offs, so he had to purchase everything again.
I took your advise and used an old pair of pants and a fluffy robe at the door gap, and its really helped me get better sleep without my roommates constantly waking me up!
A few points
-- Deadening that other room can be a faster way to improve the room you care about.
-- "draft stoppers" that people use for doors can work as well as a blanket to stop the noise under a door. A chunk of rug also works
-- Hanging a tapestry an inch off a wall deadens sound quite a bit. The gap makes it free to move.
-- For windows consider drapes rather than curtains. Drapes are made of more substantial material and the rod positions them out from the window. The drapery rod can be arranged so that the edges of the curtains wrap towards the wall to block that path. You can have the top of the drapes well above the window near the ceiling. This makes the path for sound harder in that direction. You can add curtains within the outline of the window opening as well.
Allowing your soundproofing materials to float is a great point! That way the sound get converted to mechanical energy as well as heat(like foam stops sound.)
@@jbarker2160I don't understand, does the air insulate the sound?!
@@mryan4452 Think about throwing a tennis ball at the wall it will bounce back, now if you throw it at the wall with a blanket directly on the wall it will still bounce slightly off it. If you throw it at a blanket that's mounted a inch off the wall not touching anything, the tennis ball will not bounce back and drop to the ground
@@313chickenThat's a really good analogy, thanks! :)
Thanks for taking the time to make this video and explain the concepts behind your suggestions. Great stuff!!
Another thing that you can add to outlets is the insulation pads designed for blocking drafts (especially useful on exterior walls). They fit in behind the cover and fit fairly snug. A pack of 6 costs a couple of dollars.
Thank you!!
Great idea, thanks.
Yeah I used those and apparently the hot wire wasn't sitting right and guess what happened to that foam pad? Yep started smoking. We found it before it caught on fire. Use them with caution.
@@Nonybusinessxxxxxx That's a problem with the person who wired your outlets and let the hot wire poke outside of the screw
We need this kind of helpfulness and honesty everywhere else in the world. Thank you for your insight.
You’re awesome! Thank you 😊
Thanks - I did not know how much sound penetrates cracks around the doors, windows and electrical outlets. Budget approach is appreciated too! Very helpful!!!
Those are good points. As you mentioned, sound is the movement of air. Another thing to consider is utilizing area rugs. They can be hung on the wall as well as laid out on the floor and they are much more attractive than moving blankets. Better still, hang a rug in front of a moving blanket. The main thing is to break up parallel surfaces. Putting sound deadening objects (cylinders, etc.) in the corners helps as well. Since we're talking about the movement of air, what about your vents or registers? There are things that can be done there as well. It all depends on how much the sound pressure level needs to be reduced. And then there's landscaping. :))
You make great points! I did make a video recently about soundproof the air vents by adding something called a “sound maze”! They are pretty cool! Here’s the video - ua-cam.com/video/k66tray91RU/v-deo.html
"Soft" surfaces - rugs, cushy sofas, fabric-covered screens - all work within a room to make it sound better. Even paintings help. It might keep sound in the room, too.
Thank you for mentioning landscaping. Nobody thinks of that when they chop down all the trees on their property.
Great tips. This first thing I did was seal the gab under the door. That alone made a huge difference. Yea, that will interfere with airflow, but it's much quieter.
Thank You for caring, and honesty that you use to produce these informational videos. Living in spaces without privacy can cause stress between neighbors and pour quality of living. Soundproofing can help. Quality advisory is greatly appreciated.
The biggest problem I find is people mistaking sound treatment with sound proofing. The layman does not distinguish between the two. With new clients, it's the first thing I have to explain. Sound treatment can be easy and cost effective. Sound proofing is generally more difficult and more expensive.
How did you manage to use "layman" in this sentence? I assure you this isn't as big of a problem as you think and us laymen out there know that acoustic foam doesnt soundproof rooms
@@jaredroscoe800 YOU may know that, but in my line of work I run into people all the time who have no idea how any of this works and need to be educated about the terminology and have their expectations set to realistic levels.
Can confirm. I had no clue of the difference. I’ve been talking about soundproofing left and right for my new bedroom. Little did I know there’s so much more than I thought. I never even thought about treatment Vs. proofing
Thanks for the video. Always appreciate when people create content that says "you don't have to buy that 'stuff' " whatever the 'stuff' is.
What I remember is what an American architect used in his glasfiber igloo’s. They were hollow and reflected all the sound. He used “paper-mache” for everything above 6 feet in the room. And it worked like magic. Wallpaper glue mixed with small pieces of paper. In my country we call it papier-maché.
I have just found your channel one day ago. Your tips are amazing! Your explanations are clear and your honesty and integrity shines through. I have made a list of seversl I will be looking into. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thanks! My wife & I are erecting panels to record voice & music. Going with acrylic “wall panels” that link together, then draping blankets. Area rug over our wood floor is a nice add, thanks.
I once built an entire room with sound tiles. Took ages and great expense. Did nothing for the busy road noise thru the window, of course…
When we sold the house, one stipulation was to remove all that. Such a waste. But you learn how poorly that spray glue works…. Half the squares all but popped right off. Others needed heavy scraping.
In my college apartment for the past 2 year, when I first moved in I noticed how much echoing there was in my room. I hung up my old comforter and that made one hell of a difference. I put it right behind my monitors, the direction I faced 95% of the time, and It stayed up there (as long as the clips holding them up didn't let go, which they did A LOT [velcro would have probably fixed the problem]) for the entirety of those 2 years. When I moved out this past spring and took it down, I forgot just how much and how loudly it echoed
They have a 4x8 sound board at home depot that goes on the sticks before drywall and works well. Great video!
My son had to rebuild recently after fire damage. He used many of your ideas. Thanks!
I just purchased room darkening drapes for my bedroom. Glad to learn that they will also help cut down on noise. I hope it helps a bit on days when people are mowing their lawns. I hope to use one of your tips to use on my bedroom door. I have to figure out what will be the best for my situation. Thank you for this very informative video.
Best of luck! 😊
The blanket idea can be good on the wall decor wise if you think about curtin rods around the top of the wall with an ikea drape on the outside, if you move you can take it with you.
For traffic noise, start by caulking the outside of the window trim, openings where pipes come in, etc.
A nice side-effect of caulking and sealing is improved energy efficiency and fewer pests coming in. It's a win-win-win
your videos are THE BEST on here for this stuff... you are upfront ... and EASY to understand.. thats SO important . i learn SOOOO much from you :)
hope others do as well :). I'm a Fan !!
this is what im talking about, the practical solutions that make a difference and not ones that sell products with fancy names
nice to see someone with experience give advice, i feel like i watching mythbusters and not a late night tv add
right on!
This is why I purchase 2nd hand blankets when I find them at an op-shop (thrift-store). Takes the edge off the echo, and improves the heat retention of my bed/storage room. Cheaper than a heater.
We have no hope. Rented apartment. Kitchen, bath, and office have glass louver windows that can't be sealed. And they face across a car lot to their car wash that sounds like a small jet engine when it runs. When it isn't running, security is using a PA to tell intruders to leave. Loudly. 😭
Excellent video. I'm sure Red Devil has sold out by now.
Well done. Exactly what I was looking for. I'd like to do my entire living room as a room within a room. Just getting started watching your vids. Nicely done. Thank-you!👌👍✌✌
Thank you for this advice, I wouldn’t have thought of these solutions otherwise, nor would have found them elsewhere like you said.
On the eletrical outlet, you can also use plumber's putty. Super, super cheap
Something I have noticed is that the sound proofing effect of uPVC double glazing degrades with time. I tracked it down to the collapse of the rubber seals between the moving panes and the uPVC surrounds. The rubber becomes harder and less springy with time which results in air gaps, and as you have already identified that causes the noise to leak through. If you have this it's time to replace the rubber seals.
I noticed that on the main entrance door of the house I recently bought. I had new windows installed but not the door as I am still working on the house and was afraid of damaging the new door.
Thanks man. This really makes a lot of sense to me because I am trying to soundproof my basement in an apartment building where I already have thick concrete walls, but the door and window are the real challenge I think. I guess if I put drywall and another thick layer on the walls and ceiling that will be enough and most of the effort should go to the door and window
Great information! I am a voice actor with a DIY built vocal booth, and I live in a flight path! My new booth helps A LOT with the soundproofing but I'm putting finishing touches to help with deadening the echo chamber I created (lol)
This video has some great rups on how I boost my soundproofing, so thank you!
I wish i had seen this years ago!!! I had a son with anxiety that would game and be loud. My daughter next door to him would have to work in the morning and the whole thing was contentious. I even recommended the moving blanket!! I was so excited when you said that. But, I completely missed the cracks. That would have helped them so much!! Anyway, thank you!
telling your kid to stfu would've been the cheapest option
@@_DeadBeat_ your name says it all.
Most interior doors are hollow core with cardboard honeycomb. Mass is your friend for soundproofing, so a solid core door would work way better with the gap sealing. As far as the windows, making sound panels with rockwool is going to really help, and if you want to go all out put mass loaded vinyl on the window first.
Those darn cardboard doors! When I tell homeowners that they are just cardboard, it's as if they don't believe me. But, after I have hung the door, and it starts falling apart, they don't call the manufacturer to complain, they call me.
When I moved into my place a few years ago, I put 3 layers of drapes at my bedroom window to keep the noise from outside coming in. Additionally, they reduced heat loss considerably. I made sure to block all light coming from outside as that is where the outside sound came from. Make sure that the drapes extend beyond the size of the windows in all four directions. I will watch the other videos to learn more.
Spending around $200 on a solid wooden interior door is also a really good investment for sound-proofing. Cheap hollow interior doors are like resonant chambers. Even if all the cracks are sealed the hollow door will still resonate much more than a solid door will.
Rockwool panels commonly sold for hydroponics, are the best things to hang on walls and cover windows. Look for the 2x24x48 panels. Some DIY required in that you need to seal the edges. Typically a cheap art resin works just fine. I like to cover the "outside" with scrap carpet. Use something like 3M command adhesive to mount to the wall, I've seen velcro used too.
p.s. I have successfully used poster tac to seal up the outlet boxes on more than one occasion. I never thought about using caulk.
What if the door is hollow core but the door frame it's hung on is so cheap that it can't support any additional weight?
@maxwilson7001
Well, that's gonna cost you more. If you are referring to a manufactured home, it might cost you a lot more. But then you have your hands full trying to soundproof it anyway.
@@AaronAlso It'll cost more because you will have to replace the frame as well as the door?
@@maxwilson7001
Yes, this is a situation where you should probably consult a carpenter. Replacing that door frame is not a trivial task. In a manufactured home it may not even be feasibly possible.
Alternatively, you may find a more sturdy foam-core door. Then, bond layers of mass loaded vinyl on both sides (adds weight, but dramatically reduces resonance); might be a suitable option.
@@AaronAlso Thanks for the ideas without needing frame replacement.
Great video - couple things maybe (or maybe not) useful. Door snake - its a little rolled up towel thingy that you put at the bottom of the door if you don't want to use a skirt - you could just use a rolled up towel. Moving blankets! - I never knew that. Makes total sense. Three ways to reduce noise (=any unwanted signal). 1). The mass/hard blocking the video speaks of. That dense foam really does work. So does concrete. 2). Chambering and attenuation - that is what the foam tiles try to do. I suspect the moving blanket do a bit of both 1&2. 3) Canceling - not really practical for a room. The textured foam does work if used properly. We used to use the "egg" or "nipple" foam (the tiles - except we bought in rolls/sheets) - but the texture needs to point toward the noise source to work best - it used to be cheap. There is a warning touched on in the video. Nothing is more uncomfortable than a sound dead room. They can be hot, stuffy, strangely uncomfortable and a friend of mine used to complain of itching while in the booth (I think in is head but still real to him). You are better off trying to reduce (not eliminate) noise while increasing sound (=pleasant signal). Unless it's a sound booth of course. This was really interesting as a video.
You briefly mentioned this, but the gaps under the door and leaky windows are usually the only way of a room to get fresh air. A thing to keep in mind before going apeshit with sealing stuff.
Cold air return gets rid of cold air for circulation and to get fresh air in the morning you open window for five minutes even in winter. Canadian tradition.
Thank you mate, Quality advice!! Im about to sound proof my bedroom
These are great practical steps! The other benefit with weather sealing the door, is that you won't smells transferring through the door either.
If you wanna get a better sound with a microphone one of the things to notice is usually people are sitting at their desk which is against the wall when they’re speaking which means your voice bounces right off the wall and comes right back to your microphone if you place a pillow between the wall in the microphone that pillow will capture a lot of that sound wave. And if you’re using a camera you won’t see it because it’s back against the wall. I also got an attractive oriental rug and hung out across the wall behind my computer desk, they do this a lot Eastern Europe and I think it looks pretty cool too.
When I replaced my mattress, I leaned the old one up against the wall to "get it out of the way for now".
It cut the noise of my neighbours watching tv, coughing, and snoring, in the next unit (purpose built multi story apt) enough, that it became a permanent padded side-headboard for my bed.
I put an aesthetically pleasing fitted sheet on it, and it's now been there for 2 years.
I hadn't considered the fact that having blocked the outlet in that wall (which is inconvenient) might be part of the reason it worked.
There's definitely nothing between the walls within our unit, but I had kind of assumed fire code would require them not to build back to back electrical between units... Then again, opening up holes in the walls to redo plumbing, in ways that allowed mice to move unit to unit very conveniently is apparently a thing they consider fine and dandy (solved it myself).
It's not a fantastic solution, and it wastes 5" of floor space - but it cost nothing, and means I don't have to wrestle a queen mattress out of a 3rd floor walk up until I move.
Now if only I could block the sound of lawn mowing, and the kid that "plays" by screaming like there's an emergency (despite being politely requested not to, for multiple years, by multiple neighbours - all the other kids manage to sound like kids playing loudly) without closing my windows, ensuring no air movement and blocking all natural light.
Apparently I just need to live with earplugs in at all times. 🤷♀️
Ah, the dilemma of wanting it to be quiet *and* wanting the window to be open... I feel ya XD
One day, someone will come up with something that will let us do that, but I haven't seen anything like it yet :)
It looks like this channel has a video about building "sound mazes" inside ones A/C vents, to allow airflow while reducing sound. I wonder if someone who's good with materials could make something similar that could be placed in front of an open window to deaden sound but still let in fresh air. Perhaps made with plexiglass? Hmm...
This is the best video on this topic that I've seen in over a decade! This is also the first acuract video I've seen in a long long time.
Awesome! My home office desk is right next to a window where the deck is on the otherside. Love the moving blanket idea! Thank you 🫶🏾
We just moved our ten year old to the room on the other side of our wall. Fortunately, we have paneling in both our rooms so I am planning to grab some moving blankets, remove the paneling and attach them to the studs then reattach the paneling. Great idea! We'll see if any "noises" disturb him.
I don't know if that's a good idea for some latent fire safety issues. If you do this anyways, definitely be careful to make sure the blankets don't make contact with wires or anything that can get too hot!
You might see similar results without increased fire risk by properly insulating the wall between the two rooms (if that hasn't been done already), though that's probably more expensive than a moving blanket. If you can afford it, that dense vinyl material mentioned in the video is probably your best bet since it's designed to be put inside walls.
I just worry that with a moving blanket you'll make that part of your house more dangerous in a fire, since the drywall acts as a slight fire barrier between studs and flammable materials inside the room
@@crazygrape Great response, thank you. We don't have any drywall on interior walls as this house was built in the 60s as a lake house. Less interior bulk aids I winterization with less moisture to freeze/thaw. We, however, Iive here year round. I would never mess with wiring as ours is quite questionable as it is. Someday, it'll all need updating! I have thought about bluebird, which could be applied over the studs and then paneling reapplied (there are no plugs on that wall in our room ... weird, I know). Thanks for your advise. I appreciate your thoughts and you sharing them.
Those door sweeps are really great. Mostly they stop a cold draft from outside, but also a lot of road noise. Now if only someone could suggest a magical device for an open window near talky neighbors!
You could become a bee keeper!
Seriously though, you could try wind chimes or a small water fountain - use one noise to cancel out the other noise.
A beehive would certainly encourage a "buffer space"! I like the way you think. Yes, background noise helps a lot; I use a small fan and wind chimes already. The water fountain helped for a little while, but started making horrible noises because I neglected to use distilled water and ruined the motor bearings. The next one will do better. Thanks for the suggestions! I just might try the bees also.
Thanks for differentiating between soundproofing (stopping transmission) and sound deadening (stopping reflection)! I'm making a voiceover booth of my guest-room's closet. The guest room is technically my daughter's room, but she's an adult and lives elsewhere - however, she left quite a few stuffed animals behind, and in that closet they help absorb a lot of reflection, so that is one wall I won't have to deaden. The opposite wall is exterior so I won't be able to do much about *proofing* esp like when the community landscape dude comes by with his leaf blowers and such, though. I do have plenty of the foam squares for deadening, and I do have one big moving-level blanket I don't use for anything else, but will certainly try some of these tips for proofing!
Thank you this helped us a lot. I just bought the under the door jam and I will like into the mass loading vinyl and add additional drywall for the one wall we would like to sound proof.
If you don't want to add as much thickness to the wall, 1/4" thick cement board adds slightly more mass than 5/8" drywall, but will cost more. Alternatively, adding it between two sheets of dry wall is significantly cheaper than mass loaded vinyl also. You just need to use some caulk between them if you want sound deadening as well.
Thank you
Great advice and no BS. Thanks for posting the video!
You’re welcome! Thanks for the feedback!
I noticed a while back that a lot of air comes in through electrical outlets because my room is next to the garage that gets obscenely hot during the summer. As a result, so does my room. Just covering the holes in the single outlet facing the garage either with something plugged in or with tape made a pretty big difference but I'll definitely be sealing it behind the outlet cover now! Great tip!
I may have to actually do one entire wall because there's a big TV in the other room and, for whatever reason, the TV's speakers are on the back of it so that they point directly at my room. People watching TV in the other tend to turn it up a lot, perhaps because the damn speakers aren't even facing them. In any case, sometimes I have a hard time hearing what I'm trying to watch despite my noise-cancelling headphones! I think another part of the problem is that the TV is actually attacked to the wall so I assume some of the vibrations of sound pass through that connection and physically vibrate the wall. It's been a real problem because if there is more than one person watching the TV, they can't both use headphones and hear it.
Thanks for the advice, in our lab we are looking into getting lab mouses and one of the things we need is to reduce the stress they may have, in our special case is sound, since there is some students around, a street a few meters away from one of the labs, and there is also the grass surrouding the building which sometines de gardeners mow down with loud grass cutters, we will try to sound block the windows and the door, and the two walls that face outwards, maybe even some sound deadening for the sound that comes in so that at least doesnt echo into the room
The one thing nobody talks about is how to block sub woofer noise. I have neighbors that have a sound system outside by their pool with sub woofers thumping away until all hours of the night. And bass notes seem to penetrate everything. Note to mention people who drive by in cars with over amplified sub woofers. You can hear them coming from miles away. You can't hear the music they're listening to, just the pounding bass. It's like having a giant beating heart outside you house.
A huge amount of mass is required to dim these bass noises. Think concrete walls, etc.
Thanks, this helps a lot!
Another thing that I think might be worth mentioning and I feel is relevant, is that sound proofing can help to control heat or isolate heat in/from the room that gets isolated.
That increased R-value can pay off in lower heating cost.
Not to mention that lower heating cost and less noise disturbance can both help reduce stress, which again can lower healthcare cost in the long run.
Not that this comment of mine is meant to diagnose or treat anything.
Good luck in all your endeavours.
Kind regards from Iceland.
That’s a great point! I definitely will mention that in future videos!
@@mclovinfuddpucker
Normal and necessary air ventilation is possible in all sorts of ways in a sealed room, but it's not the topic of discussion.
The general or relative amount of intellect in any country isn't the topic either.
I will leave any further attempt at an insult alone, as if you tried to hand me some poo and then I just let you stand there, your arms outstreched, your palms wet and stinky.
At any point in your life, you are free to start being a good man, a kind man. I hope that time comes asap for you.
Good luck in all your endeavors.
Kind regards from Iceland.
Pure logic right here with zero BS. Great video! Thanks!
Such an amazing video, so many options you found sir. Huge THANK YOU!
One way to soundproof a door is just to replace the door with an EXTERIOR door. It will be heavier, usually steel sometimes with a faux wood finish and come with weatherstripping all around. For best results you may want to replace the door jamb too, which usually comes with the door and gives you a chance to use caulk behind the trip in any gaps. Also seal around any switch or outlet boxes as sound can travel thru them easily.
check to see if all exterior doors are EXTERIOR DOORS, I swore a Realtor installed an interior door, flipping the house, and quickly cheaply pushing a sale.
If you have a Harbor Freight in your area, they have piles of affordable moving blankets.
This is the best advice I have found Since I am my own handywoman around my house. Amen! Keep them coming Please.
Thanks much for the tips. I've hesitated for years confused about products not working and wasting money.
For sound deadening within the room, a decent rug does wonders too.
The one part of the room I was looking for getting advice is the ceiling. The room I'm working on is a basement family room. And so my most noise is from the floor above.
CHEAPEST Budget Way For soundproofing Ceilings & Floors!
ua-cam.com/video/1e-6Gg7eV4s/v-deo.html
It's easiest if you are in the planning stages. ✏ But even my ancient cat sounds like a draft horse running down the hall.
Softer surfaces up top - carpet, "luxury vinyl", area rugs.
Seal air gaps around upper floors (can you pop the baseboards and really seal gaps with caulk and backer rod?)
Underneath, if you can remove ceiling tiles and install insulation and some sort of a sound gap - so vibration up top can't transmit as well.
Such an informative, detailed video! Explained everything so well! Thank you!👍👍👍
Thanks. I appreciate the time you took to make this video! Also, very informative.
“As you get very angry and slam doors” 😂
Ive used mass loaded vinyl as underlay to my floor using acoustic sealant along the edges.. it is super heavy though.. cannot be understated
You’re definitely right! Buying in bulk is cheaper, but will also be a lot heavier!
I've always preferred the building phase, 4" thick walls built with 2x3's staggered so every other stud holds a separate side of wall with R-11 woven through the studs horizontally. The only studs that hold both sides of the wall are the door jams. And for ceilings use hat channel with all the mounting screws on one side of the channel then insulate and hang dry wall.
Excellent tips. You're the best!! 😎🙏
People don't realize that there are different things that they are fighting, which need different tools.
Sound sources, like creeks, cracks, squeeks need to be dealt with at the source. Add some foam, or caulking, or better securing a loose board... whatever it is, you just need to make it stop.
Sound reflections. When people complain about a room, it isn't generally outside noise is affecting quality, but reflections off of hard surfaces. Carpet, especially with padding, is your best cheapest option. Second is adding panels or baffling in corners, or on at least half (and not opposite halves) of the walls. If you can do all of the walls, great, but just doing 2 adjacent walls in a 4 wall room is typically going to eat the majority of the problem. Personally, I like to use fire insulation like rock wool, framed in cheap wood, and covered in fabric. It can look super boring if you want, or you can use patterned material, or anything fabric with something you like on it. I like fantasy maps, and there are no end of fabric maps you can find online to slap on top of a DIY sound panel.
Next is sound leakage. The first actual step towards sound proofing. If there is an air gap, no matter how small, then sound will get through annoyingly easy. Recording studios are notoriously hot, because in a perfectly sealed room, the heat from a human and a single light bulb builds up very quickly if you don't have free flowing air. Spray foams, caulking, winterizing products... anything that seals gaps is your best friend. And if it if rubberised, then all the better!
Lastly is sound isolation. You want layers of boxes with air gaps between them. Sound travels well through air, but it does a terrible job at transitioning between mediums, so forcing sound to go through a mass, then air, then another mass, and then air again is key to sound isolation. And you want as few bridges between layers, and staggered weirdly as possible without becoming a building code violation. A cheap (but labor intensive) way to do this is to buy drywall, and use something like a thick layer of poorly spread liquid nails or some other adhesive to slap it over existing walls. Force the sound to go into the first layer of drywall, then an air gap with as little material as possible, and then another layer of drywall. If you can fully frame out a room within a room, and have the framing resting on some sort of ruberized material, then that is even better. Walls are transducers, so having walls that make direct contact to the frame of the house, which is then well secured to the basement walls, which transfer lots of ground energy from trucks and other large vehicles will cause some level of issues. Anything to break that contact to have a free floating structure will be the hardest and lest rewarding part of sound proofing... but if you need sound proofing and already have panels and everything else but still have a problem... this is kinda your last and only option.
Moving blankets come in two flavors: good thick professional moving blankets that cost a bundle and inexpensive harbor-freight style moving blankets. The harbor-freight moving blankets are about as useless as the foam sound flattening panes.
Thanks for this, especially for where I'd like to sound deaden, namely a woodworking shop area, hanging furniture blankets is solid sense, as looks don't really matter but functionality and budget do. After I'm done with mainstays of builds, pulling a blanket down to help me move what I've built being a part of said functionality.
Great tips, thank you. The moving blankets in particular is a great idea
Multiple layers of blankets works pretty good
These videos are informative. However, I would like to see more tests. Baseline a rooms ambient sound with none of the soundproofing done, and then add one change at a time. That way we can see progression.
More test coming!
You rock man!!! Thank you!! Very well put together video. Thanks also for all the time you put in to share this information.
Very helpful tips. Thank you so much
First of all, different materials mean different resonances.
The heavier the material, the less it will reverberate.
If it stretches, like rubber, it will absorb the sound.
I put thick rubber matts on the floor with thick plywood on top and carpeting.
Now, because I added layers to the floor the door of the room won't work.
What I'm in the process of doing is creating a frame to put on top of the current door frame and get the door to open outward.
I may also add a door inside to have two doors.
After watching the whole video and reading comments..im big on redos and decorating (NOT the type of decorating as in knick knacky stuff and extra stuff to display and such..im into practicality and common sense with a splash of personal enjoyment). I have an idea for me and those who wish their moving blanket wasnt so ugly is to lay over it is fabric to your liking. Ive always loved fabric wall paper and draping fabric to cover walls. My husband doesn't know it yet but this plan has been swirling around in my head awhile and its going to come to fruitation. There's a non stop screaming child 2 houses away and would love to also stuff the ungodly noise there too..especially the parent who allows it.
Holy crap this is gold, I would have never thought of moving blankets, I didn't even know that was a thing
Wonderful video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.
A few more suggestions: Rockwool is a decent substitute for acoustic foam at a fraction of the price. And to improve appearances, you can put blankets in duvet covers, and put wall panels behind canvas frames.
Don't use those kinds of products, they're are very dangerous to your lungs and health. They make a similar product called ECO core that is much safer with similar properties, it's made out of paper and cotton.
Sound panels have nothing to do with whether noise can get in your room. They are used to treat the sound already IN the room for echo. Most of what’s been suggested as cost effective ways to reduce outside noise will produce little to no results. Try another video where you test the effectiveness of what you’re suggesting. Soundproofing requires mass and isolation. Period.
I was in the noise control business in the western USA states for a number of years and did mostly commercial projects like very noisy "chillers" by Trane and Carrier AC companies. Settled in the Philippines now and noise is a big issue. Single pain windows, AC and doors with large gaps or no seals, and loud karaoke or fiestas until 4 AM all too often. Most buildings are made of concrete so a bit less sound transmission by sideways neighbors in the 6 condos I have lived in here unlike "stick built" apartments in the states. No enforced noise control laws is also an issue. The foam manufacturers here do not have any data on their "acoustic" foam but charge more for it also.