How to soundproof a room and how much it costs

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 rare. If you are a light sleeper or the walls of your apartment are so thin that you constantly hear the noise of the neighbors, you have surely considered Acoustically insulate your home.

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

Areas that you can soundproof

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

At the time of acoustically insulate a ceiling, the procedure is similar to the wall. It involves building a false ceiling and introducing insulating material inside.

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

Another key point of noise entry is the windows. If you go to soundproof windows, you will have to pay attention to the glass. Window insulation is proportional to the thickness of the glass you have chosen, so it will improve substantially if you install double-glazed windows. The type of glass is also important: there are some to insulate from light, noise or both.

Another point to take into account is the window profiless. While aluminum is lighter, PVC ones will give you more acoustic insulation since they dampen noises instead of making them bounce.

Regarding the type of closure, tilt-and-turn windows – that open at the top and on 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 soundproofing a 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 plasterboard partitions with wool filling, the approximate cost is 140/m2.

Broadly speaking, the budget that you should keep in mind to soundproof the different spaces of a room are as follows:

He acoustic wall insulation It usually costs between €50/m2 and €160/m2.Soundproofing roofs It usually has a price between €80/m2 and €170/m2. floor soundproofing It usually costs between €30/m2 and €170/m2.Renew windows It can cost between €100 and €300 per window, not counting labor, which could add between €80 and €200 more for each one.

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 having to do complete soundproofing:

Divide spaces. The larger a room is, the easier it is for the sound to expand and create echoes throughout 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 place a bookshelf or wooden shelves full of books. You will create a thicker wall against the decibels.Ally yourself with fabrics. Curtains and rugs made of thick fabrics can absorb those noises that bother you.Technology that calms. White noise machines and apps that play monotonous frequencies will help you concentrate and block out 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, non-toxic liquid capable of absorbing vibrations.Cover wooden walls. Wood panels absorb less intense noise and provide warmth. They will help you mitigate sound and achieve great decorative results.Check the closure of doors and windows. Make sure they close well and if the doors do not reach the floor, you can install a sweeper that will help you isolate the room acoustically.