Lena Torres
Living in an apartment has its perks, but noisy neighbours, external traffic, and internal echoes can get in the way of a peaceful home. Soundproofing your apartment can help reduce unwanted noise and create a calm living space. Soundproofing solutions depend on the type of noise and its source, which could be airborne, impact, or flanking noise. Once the source of the noise is identified, you can use a range of methods and materials to soundproof your apartment, including acoustic door seals, heavy bookshelves, plush carpets, soundproofing underlay, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Noise Type | Airborne Noise, Impact Noise, Flanking Noise |
| Source of Noise | Voices, Music, Television, Traffic, Footsteps, Furniture Movement, Appliances, Vents, Electrical Outlets |
| Weak Spots | Walls, Doors, Windows, Ceilings, Floors |
| Soundproofing Solutions | Acoustic Door Seal Kit, Weatherstripping Tape, Heavy Blackout Curtains, Bookshelves, Acoustic Panels, Soundproofing Blankets, Acoustic Ceiling Baffles, Heavy Rugs with Soundproof Underlay, White Noise Machines |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the source of the noise
Before soundproofing your apartment, it is important to identify the source of the noise. This is because different types of noise require different approaches. For example, if the noise is coming from outside, the first step is usually to soundproof the windows.
There are two main types of noise: airborne noise and impact noise. Airborne noise comes from voices, music, television, and outside traffic, and it travels through walls, windows, and doors. Impact noise, on the other hand, comes from footsteps, furniture movement, or objects dropping on the floor, and it travels through floors and ceilings. If you can hear your neighbours talking or watching TV, the walls are not blocking sound effectively, and you may need to consider soundproofing the walls.
Noise can also come from the hallway, especially if the doors are too thin and don't seal the door frame tightly. In this case, you may want to consider using an automatic door bottom or an acoustic door seal kit to block the noise.
If you are struggling to identify the source of the noise, there are a few things you can try. One method is to walk around your apartment barefoot and listen for where the noise is the greatest. You can also use your fingers and feet to feel for where the vibration is the strongest. If you are trying to locate a low-frequency banging noise, you can try using microphones or accelerometers to measure the phase difference and calculate an estimated position of the source.
By identifying the source of the noise, you can determine the best soundproofing solutions for your apartment.
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Soundproof windows and doors
Windows and doors are the weakest points in your home's structure, with doors presenting the largest gap. Interior doors are often hollow core and have considerable gaps, so they do very little to stop noise. Exterior doors may perform better, but they can be easily compromised.
Before you start soundproofing, you need to locate your weak spots. Once you've determined these, you can plan your soundproofing accordingly.
Windows
If you are renting, installing double-pane windows is your landlord's decision. Talk to your landlord; they may agree if nothing else has managed to mute the noise in your apartment.
If you own your home, you can install specialist soundproof windows, which can reduce noise pollution by up to 95%. These windows use materials that absorb sound or cause it to be reflected.
If you don't want to replace your windows, you can install soundproofing window inserts, which reduce and absorb sound without causing any damage. Indow Acoustic Grade window inserts can reduce outside noise by up to 70% when placed over single-pane windows and up to 50% of noise coming through double-pane windows.
You can also try the following DIY methods to soundproof your windows:
- Seal any cracks and crevices with acoustic caulk.
- Hang thick curtains or soundproof blankets over your windows.
- Place furniture with soft, uneven surfaces around the window to absorb noise.
- Install honeycomb cell shades to block sound and insulate your window.
- Attach a piece of acrylic or glass to the inside of your existing window.
Doors
To soundproof your doors, you need to use heavy and dense materials. You can try the following methods:
- Use pipe insulation foam and weatherproofing strips to create a noise-canceling seal.
- Place heavy bookshelves in front of the door.
- Install a sturdy, heavy exterior door.
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Seal door gaps
Gaps around doors are one of the main reasons for sound leakage, even if the doors are theoretically sealed. Sound waves can pass through even the smallest of gaps, so it is important to seal door gaps properly to soundproof an apartment.
One way to seal the gap at the bottom of the door is to install an automatic door bottom. These are mechanically-activated solutions that lower a seal insert against the floor when the door is closed, creating a tight seal. They come in a variety of styles, including surface-mount, semi-mortised, and fully mortised, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and aesthetic preferences.
Another option is to use a draught or "draft stopper" strip, which can significantly reduce sound transmission. You can also use weatherstripping tape to seal gaps in doors. However, this may degrade over time and need to be replaced.
If you have a larger gap under your door, you can try the following method: take off the door and screw a strip of wood that is the same dimensions as the bottom of the door, leaving a small gap of maybe >1". You can then cover the remaining gap with draught strips on both sides. You can also use high-density foam, which needs to be sliced to shape and attached with something similar to rubber cement. To create a tight seal, add a piece of slick flat plastic, like an old screen protector, to the foam side touching the floor.
In addition to the bottom of the door, you should also inspect the seal at the top and sides of the door jamb and verify that the weatherstripping is intact. You can use an acoustic door seal kit to help seal these gaps, which features a sound-absorbing neoprene rubber gasket that forms a tight seal when the door is closed.
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Install acoustic panels
Acoustic panels are a versatile soundproofing solution that can be used in any room of an apartment. They come in various sizes and types, allowing for strategic placement to maximise sound absorption.
There are two main methods for installing acoustic panels: the soundproof adhesive method and the Z-clip system method. The former is recommended by some suppliers, as it is easy to perform and provides fantastic acoustic results. To use this method, you must first sand the surface to which the panel will be affixed, creating an even surface for the adhesive. Then, you can install levelling brackets, apply the adhesive, and attach the panel.
The Z-clip method is also a straightforward process, but it does involve the use of power tools and is more intrusive to walls. This method may be preferable if you think you will want to rearrange your panels in the future. To use the Z-clip method, you must first mark the location of the Z-clip with a straight-edge level and a pencil. Then, attach the Z-clip to the mounting surface with screws. Finally, clip the panel onto the Z-clip.
Another method for installing acoustic panels is to use impaling clips. This involves screwing the clips to the wall and then placing the panel on top, pressing it firmly so that the clip penetrates the fibreglass.
When installing acoustic panels, it is important to consider the reflection points in the room, the size and shape of the room, and the specific acoustic needs of the space. Acoustic panels are typically placed on walls and ceilings, rather than floors, as sound waves travel more easily through these hard surfaces.
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Use rugs and sound dampening pads
Rugs and sound dampening pads are a great way to soundproof your apartment without making any permanent changes. Thick rugs, especially those made of heavy-duty woven jute, thick open-weave fabric, felt, or soft fluffy fabric, can help minimise echo and absorb sound. Rugs with thicker piles will also reduce impact noise from footsteps or objects being dropped.
Rug pads are another effective way to soundproof your apartment. These pads are placed under your rug to provide an additional layer of noise reduction. The denser the pad, the more frequencies it will absorb. Felt rug pads are particularly effective due to their optimum density and spring, which allow them to absorb sound waves through the vibration of individual fibres. Rubber rug pads are also excellent sound absorbers, dampening sound from home gyms or offices.
When choosing a rug pad, consider its thickness and material. Eco Plush and Cloud Comfort rug pads, for example, offer different thickness options to suit your needs. You can also find plush rug pads that provide a soft and comfortable surface for your rugs while also enhancing their noise-reducing capabilities.
In addition to rugs and rug pads, other soft furnishings can help with sound absorption. Overstuffed furniture with fabric coverings can reduce noise transfer and minimise echo. Fabric coverings are more acoustically transparent, so noise won't reflect as much as it would on leather or wooden surfaces.
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Frequently asked questions
Outside noise can enter your apartment through windows and doors. To soundproof your windows, you can use soundproofing window inserts or heavy blackout curtains. For doors, you can use an acoustic door seal kit or automatic door bottom to seal the gap at the bottom of the door.
If noise is coming through the walls, you can use AlphaSorb® Barrier Acoustic Panels or PrivacyShield® ABBC-13 Soundproofing Blankets. If the noise is coming from your ceiling, you can use ceiling-mounted soundproofing materials such as Acoustic Ceiling Baffles or Resilient Sound Isolation Clips.
Some cost-effective ways to soundproof your apartment include using weatherstripping tape to seal gaps in doors and windows, placing heavy rugs with soundproof underlay, and using bookshelves as sound barriers.
