Solutions For Soundproofing a Home

When looking for reliable home soundproofing solutions, it’s crucial to consider the sound absorption qualities of the material in question. The material that you choose to insulate your space with also has an impact on the volume of the noise that you hear – be it traffic noise, loud voices or noisy neighbours. Glass mineral and rock mineral are the two most popular sound insulation choices that can reduce noise pollution in your home. However, there are a host of soundproofing techniques and solutions out there, that are equally efficient at nipping noise in the bud. What are they? Let’s dive right in.

Home Soundproofing Solutions

There are a few methods you can use to soundproof your home.

One way is to install acoustic insulation in your walls and ceilings. This will help to absorb sound energy and keep it from spreading through different surfaces.

Another effective method for noise reduction is to install wall soundproofing solutions such as acoustic plasterboard. This type of drywall is specially designed to absorb sound in existing walls. Its application serves to help reduce sound transmission between rooms.

Let’s look at these two options in a bit more detail.

Acoustic Insulation

Acoustic insulation or soundproof insulation involves adding layers of dense materials to reduce the amount of sound that passes through. When sound waves travel through different materials, they create vibrations. The more mass a sound wave has to pass through, the fewer vibrations will reach the other side of the material – meaning less noise transmission.

Dense insulation materials, such as fibreglass or mineral wool (which are available in rolls or slabs), can absorb sound waves and prevent them from reaching the other side. These materials are installed in walls, ceilings and floors to absorb sound and reduce the amount of sound transference.

What Are Acoustic Insulation Slabs?

Acoustic insulation slabs are purposed to reduce sound transmission through walls, floors, and ceilings.

Rockwool insulation slabs are the top-selling brand on the market. They are made from mineral wool, which has a high density and is perfect for blocking sound. We sell a range of Rockwool products, such as the RWA45, RW3, RW5, and Flexi Slab.

Knauf Insulation also manufactures acoustic insulation slabs, which we sell at Materials Market.

What Are Acoustic Insulation Rolls?

Much like acoustic insulation slabs, acoustic insulation rolls are rolls of flexible, fibrous insulation material that are used to dampen sound. through exterior and interior walls walls, floors, and ceilings.

They are typically made from materials such as fibreglass and rock wool, both of which excel at diminishing noise levels.

They can be used as a standalone solution to stop sound from getting in or out adjacent rooms. Or they can be combined with other soundproofing materials, such as acoustic plasterboard or soundproofing paint.

The installation process may vary depending on the product or manufacturer’s instructions but usually involves inserting the rolls between the framing of a wall or ceiling, or under a floor.

Knauf Insulation is the most popular manufacturer of acoustic rolls. They offer 25mm, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm thicknesses to suit most partition widths.

Acoustic Plasterboard

Acoustic or soundproof plasterboard is a type of gypsum-based plasterboard that is designed to reduce sound vibrations through an existing wall or ceiling. The core of the board is made from a denser, more sound-absorbent material than standard plasterboard.

If one wall of your home faces a noisy street, consider adding acoustic drywall as a way of adding mass. You install it just like regular drywall, with the added benefit of sound reduction.

We sell acoustic plasterboard from reputable brands such British Gypsum, Knauf, and Siniat. The most popular product is the Knauf Soundshield Plus, which comes in 12.5mm and 15mm thicknesses.

What Other Home Soundproofing Solutions Are There?

Acoustic Panels

Acoustic soundproofing panels are an option if you want to soundproof a room on a budget. They are relatively cheap and easy to install. However, as a sound blocker, they are not as effective as other methods of soundproofing.

Soundproof Windows & Doors

When aiming to block external noise, soundproofing conventional single-pane windows should be one of your first considerations. To absorb noise and block sound in existing windows, you could install acoustic window inserts or replace typical double glazing with acoustic glazing.

Your best bet for reducing outside noise is to incorporate double, triple-glazed windows or solid-core doors.

This is a more expensive option, a cheap alternative could be to use weatherstripping around existing doors and windows to seal any gaps. You can easily block noise by plugging up any air gaps in your window with acoustic caulk. However, these methods won’t be as effective against street noise as installing a solid core door.

Cheap Fixes

There are a few cheap fixes that you can try if you want to soundproof your home on a budget. For example, you can fill the space with an abundance of soft furnishings – such as heavy curtains, thick blankets or rugs – to help dampen noise.

Not only do thick drapes serve to stop noise but they also double up as blackout curtains – a win-win.

The easiest way to absorb loud noise in a room with hard-surface flooring like wood, tile or laminate is to cover the floor with a thick-pile rug.

You can also try using dense foam pads or blankets to block out sound. However, these methods are not as effective as other solutions such as acoustic foam.

What Is The Difference Between Sound Blocking & Sound Absorbing?

Sound absorption prevents sound from bouncing around a room.

Sound blocking uses materials and methods that limit or decrease the transmission of sound and work as a sound barrier.

To effectively soundproof a room, you can employ a combination of noise-blocking and sound-absorbing materials and methods.

Home Soundproofing Solutions – Conclusion

Depending on the level of soundproofing you need, you may need to use multiple solutions in order to achieve the best results. It is also important to consider where the unwanted sound is coming from, and address the source of the noise if possible. For example, if the sound of a noisy neighbour is seeping through a party wall in your home, soundproofing that wall alone would be the most practical solution.

Remember soundproofing may not completely eliminate all background noise but can greatly reduce the amount of unwanted noise that enters or leaves your home.