Loud noise can disturb your peace, especially if you are working for the office from home or want to take a rest for some time. Listening to loud noise, even for a longer time, can adversely affect your physical and mental health. The best way to avoid unwanted noise is by soundproofing your room.
You can soundproof your room, i.e., by adding acoustic foam or increasing mass by drywall sheets on the wall and ceiling and many more. The soundproofing methods in your room will be more effective in blocking unwanted sound.
So, how much does it cost to soundproof a room? Well, it depends on various factors, like the size of your room and the sound materials you will choose to block sound.
On average, you need to spend approximately $1000 to $3000 on soundproofing a room.
The article discusses a cost guide on soundproofing a room. So, you can keep scrolling through this article to know the cost range you are anticipated to pay for soundproofing a room.
What Is Sound?
Before diving deep into soundproofing and its cost, you need to know about noise and the types of noise that enters your house.
Noise is sound waves that require a medium to travel. The medium can be solid, liquid, or gas. The sound bounces on various surfaces and creates vibrations whenever it travels in space. These vibrations reach your ear, and thus, you can hear sound.
The noise is mainly of two types. We are listing them below.
1. Airborne Noise
The sound waves that travel through the air and reach your ears are called airborne noise. For instance, if the phone is ringing or a conversation is going on in your neighborhood, and you listen to it, it is known as airborne noise.
2. Impact Noise
Impact noise is the type of noise that occurs when two objects collide against each other. For instance, when your upstairs neighbor walks on the floor, the foot comes in contact with each other, creating an impact or loud thumping noise.
The noise travels through the floorboards, enters your ceiling, and disturbs you.
What Is Soundproofing And How Does It Work?
Soundproofing is a mechanism by which you can utilize various techniques to block airborne noise and impact noise to a certain extent so that you can sleep peacefully or do
your office work with concentration.
When you soundproof your room, it ensures that noise from outside cannot enter the room and vice versa. Well, you can do it in three ways.
By Addition Of Mass
Whenever you add mass to your wall or ceiling, then it helps to restrict the noise from entering or leaving your room. For instance, add drywall sheets on walls or ceilings to reduce noise.
Add a sound-dampening compound between two drywall sheets to reduce noise effectively.
Decoupling
Decoupling means separating two parts of the structure to minimize noise levels. For example, adding resilient channels can separate drywall from ceiling joists.
SoundAbsorption
You can use sound absorption material like acoustic foam on walls or ceilings to absorb unwanted noise.
What Are The Factors Involved In Soundproofing Your Room?
1. Size Of The Room
Soundproofing costs range from $10 to $40 per square foot. If you have a large room, then the cost of soundproofing will also increase. Large square feet of room will require more soundproofing material installation. Again the labor charges will also increase. So the overall cost will go higher.
Again if you soundproof your existing home, you need to spend approximately $12 to $30 per square foot.
But if you soundproof your house during construction, it will cost you less, i.e., within $25 per square footage. It is because you do not need to remove the drywall sheets for insulation or install resilient channels.
2. Room Type
Soundproof cost even depends on the room. For instance, a soundproofing bedroom is quite essential for most homeowners. You don’t want to hear loud noise while sleeping in your bedroom. So, you have to soundproof the walls, windows, and ceiling.
It will cost you between $2000 to $4000.You need to spend almost the same amount if you wish to soundproof a room where you want to do office work with concentration.
If you wish to soundproof your garage, it will cost up to $14,000. Garages are usually not insulated, so you need to spend more on insulation and soundproofing.
If you have a gym in your home, you must soundproof it. You need to insulate the floor and use acoustic panels for soundproofing your home gym, which will cost you from $2000 to $8000.
If you wish to soundproof your home theater, it will cost up to $10,000.
3. Project Complexity
The cost of soundproofing your room depends on the complexity of the project. If the project involves removing certain things in the room to add soundproofing materials, it will cost you more.
Sometimes the soundproofing project also involves taking permission from higher authorities in the locality.
The sound professional will consider all these factors and then decide the project’s total cost.
4. Labor
You may consider hiring a soundproof specialist or a general contractor for soundproofing your room. If you hire a specialist, then it will cost you $80 to $250 per hour. If you hire a general contractor, then it will cost you $60 to $160 per hour.
How Much Does It Cost To SoundProof A Room?
Soundproofing your room is essential when you hear a loud noise every time. You may soundproof your entire room or choose to soundproof certain sections, like walls, ceiling, or door, to reduce outdoor noise to a certain extent.
1. Floor
Most people forget about the floor while soundproofing the room. But remember floor can cause major sound transmission.
For example, if you want to play some musical instrument like a drum, the sound can easily pass through the floorboards and reach your down stair neighbor. So, it’s better to soundproof the floor in such a case.
There are various ways to soundproof your floor. We are listing them below, along with the costs associated with them.
Carpets And Rugs
Carpets and rugs are the most affordable way to soundproof your floor. We will recommend purchasing heavy rugs or carpets so that they can effectively absorb sound waves. You need to spend approximately $4 to $11 per square foot to buy carpets or rugs for your room.
Underlayment
Underlayment means the layer under the floor to minimize sound and provide insulation to the room. If you wish to use foam or rubber, it will cost you $0.2 to $0.6 per square foot. There are even other materials for underlayment which can cost you more than rubber or foam.
2. Windows
Windows are the primary culprit to enter outside noise in your room and vice versa. So, you must soundproof your windows. There are various ways to soundproof your windows. We are listing them below.
Caulking
If there are seals or gaps in windows, you can use an acoustic caulk for sealing, which will cost you between $25 to $100 for one window.
Soundproof Glass
Using soundproof glass is another effective way to minimize noise level, and It will cost you almost $600 to $1600.
Hang Soundproof Curtains
Soundproof curtains are pretty heavy and are usually made from velvet or polyester. They will help in blocking unwanted sound waves. It will cost you between $15 to $100.
Window Inserts
Window inserts are secondary windows installed on your existing windows to reduce noise levels or draft. Depending on the window size and manufacturer, it will cost you between $200 to $500.
3. Door
Imagine you are sleeping, and your side neighbor is having a party till midnight. The sound waves easily enter your door and disturb your sleep. So, you need to consider soundproofing your door.
Well, you can soundproof your door in various ways. Let’s look at them below, along with the cost associated with them.
Soundproof paint
You can use soundproof paint on your door, costing $2 to $4 per square foot. The best thing you can paint is the soundproof paint on the door. It’s just like regular paint, and you can apply it with the help of a roller or paintbrush.
Try to apply two coats for effective results. The soundproof paint comprises a viscoelastic compound, which helps to dampen sound vibrations.
Door Sealant
The gaps between the door frame and floor are one of the culprits for entering sound waves. You can use a sealant or weatherstripping tape to fill the gap. It will cost you $40.
Soundproof door
Do you have a hollow door? If yes, then you need to change it to soundproof your room. Remember, sound waves can easily enter through a hollow door.
So, try to install a solid core door or soundproof glass door. A solid core door will cost you $800 to $1600.If you wish to install a soundproof glass door, it will cost you up to $1500.
4. Walls And Ceiling
Imagine a kid on your upstairs playing football on the floor. The sound waves can easily enter from the floorboards and enter your ceiling.
Again if your side neighbor is hammering a nail on the wall, the soundwave can easily transmit through the wall and reach your ears.
You can avoid these problems by soundproofing your walls and ceiling. You can do it in numerous ways, like adding mass-loaded vinyl sheets, acoustic panels, etc. We have outlined them below, along with the costs associated with them.
Mass Loaded Vinyl
Mass-loaded vinyl sheets come in rolls and can easily dampen sound waves. You can use it on your walls and ceilings to block unwanted noise. It’s pretty easy to install and will cost you between $3 to $5 per square foot.
Acoustic wall panels
Acoustic wall panels can effectively absorb sound waves and help to maintain a peaceful environment. There are various acoustic panels, like wood, foam, and fabric. It will cost you between $2 to $5 per square foot.
Insulation
You need to add insulation between the layers of the drywall, which will absorb sounds and provide warmth to the room. There are various types of insulation, and they differ in cost.
For instance, if you use rock wool insulation, then it will cost $1 to $2 per square foot. But if you wish to use foam insulation, you must spend $2 to $3 per square foot. Mass-loaded vinyl sheets will cost $3 to $5 per square foot.
Dry Wall Sheet
A drywall sheet is one of the most effective ways of absorbing sound waves. It has viscoelastic ceramics that can help to muffle sound waves. You must spend between $40 to $65 per drywall panel to soundproof your wall or ceiling.
What Are The Advantages Of Soundproofing Your Room?
There are several advantages of soundproofing your room. We are listing them below.
1. Increase privacy
Soundproofing a room increases your privacy. It allows you to sleep comfortably or have private conversations behind closed doors.
2. Promotes Better Health
Continuous hearing of noise can cause several health problems, like raising blood pressure or increasing the risk of a heart attack. You can soundproof your room to reduce the risk of health problems.
3. Reduces Hearing Problems
Regular exposure to loud noise can cause hearing problems. Soundproofing your room can reduce the risk of hearing issues.
4. Increases Your Home Value
Does your home located near traffic or any noise source? If yes, then soundproofing your room can increase the home value. Soundproofing will enable the new residents to leave peacefully and comfortably.
5. Add Comfort
Soundproofing add Comfort to the room. You can watch a movie loudly or play any musical instrument without disturbing anyone.
How Can I Save Money While Soundproofing My Room?
You can save money while soundproofing your room in various ways.
1. Try To Get Atleast Three Quotes
Try to get a price estimate from at least three companies and then compare their services. You can finalize which company will provide you with the best services at affordable rates.
2. Choose Less Expensive Soundproofing Materials
If you have a limited budget, then prefer to use materials of lost cost for soundproofing your room. You can hire a contractor and ask him to choose less expensive acoustic tiles or insulation material for soundproofing.
3. Try To Soundproof Your Room During Construction
You have to spend less money if you soundproof your room during the construction of the house.
Building a house and then deciding to soundproof your room involves a lot of complex things, like removing drywall sheets to install resilient channels, which involves more labor charges.
Conclusion
Hearing noise consistently distracts your mind. You cannot concentrate on your office work. It even disturbs your sleep. So soundproofing is one of the most effective solutions to minimize noise.
The total cost of soundproofing your room depends on the area, the type of soundproofing material you will use, and many more.
You can easily handle soundproofing methods like painting doors or walls with soundproof paint or hanging soundproof curtains on doors and windows.
If you wish to use all these things in your room, you don’t need to hire a contractor to minimize noise levels.
But it requires professional skills if you wish to install mass-load vinyl sheets or resilient channels. So, you need to hire a contractor to soundproof your ceiling.
We have discussed a cost guide on soundproofing your room above and hope the information is helpful
FAQ : How Much Does It Cost To Soundproof A Room.
Q1. Is it worth it to soundproof a room?
Ans : Soundproofing is necessary if you hear continuous unwanted noise from your neighbors. It can hamper your physical and mental well-being.
Q2. Is it possible to 100 percent soundproof a room?
Ans : You cannot 100% soundproof a room. However, you can minimize noise level to the maximum extent, like using the hollow core door, adding the floating ceiling, installing drywall sheets on the ceiling, and many more.
Q3. Is it expensive to soundproof?
Ans : The cost of soundproofing depends on the type of room, the size, and the materials you use for soundproofing. You must spend approximately $10 to $30 installing soundproof materials professionally.