How to soundproof a home

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

3 generations in one home. All on different schedules. One works nights, one days, a teenager - we go around saying "quiet-someone is always trying to sleep" Built in the 70's - you can hear from room to room, floor to floor. Help

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PRO

Lotus Construction Group

11 years ago

Cellulose blown in the wall cavities between studs will deaden most sounds between rooms. any good insulation /Home performance contractor can perform this work.

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Comments (7)

Emily H
11 years ago
Hi Cherehigins, What kind of flooring do you currently have in the house and what kinds of furnishings?

I think there are some things that can help like carpeting, drapes and upholstered furniture to give fewer surfaces for noise to bounce off. Any photos to share?
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ceilsan32
11 years ago
Cork absorbs sound very well, but be aware that it also absorbs water. I think the carpeting with padding , double or triple width draperies of heavier fabric and upholstered furniture as suggested by Emily Hurley are the best ideas. If you have drywall, it's horrible for sound absorption. Wood absorbs sound better than metals, as regards picture frames, tables and chairs, lamps, etc.
TanCalGal
11 years ago
Have those on the sleeping shift wear earplugs.
PRO
Acoustical Solutions
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Sound absorbing items like draperies, furniture, etc. will not stop sound from transmitting through walls and floors (although carpet would obviously lessen the initial noise made by impact on hardwood or tile). To soundproof walls consider a damping compound like Quiet Glue Pro with an additional layer of drywall. For floor/ceiling assemblies, you can use a floor underlayment (if it has an IIC rating it reduces impact sound like footfall, if it has an STC rating it reduces airborne sound like speech or music). If you don't want to uproot your flooring to do this, you can create a "floating ceiling" which is a second ceiling, isolated from the original to stop vibration and sound transfer. You do this with isolation clips ( http://acousticalsolutions.com/602~resiliant-isolation-clip).
PRO
Walsh Krowka & Associates, Inc
11 years ago
Have done similar work as noted by Acoustical Solutions. Everyone will have to live with a bit of remodeling for a few days, but it would definitely be worth it.
PRO
Trademark Soundproofing
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
As noted above proper soundproofing would require actual construction with a minimum of blowing in insulation and adding more drywall to your walls and ceilings. See this article about soundproofing existing walls and ceilings for more info.

How to soundproof a home

Lotus Construction Group

Comments (7)

Emily H

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ceilsan32

TanCalGal

Acoustical Solutions

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