9 DIY Tips How to Soundproof a Wall Cheaply

If you’re struggling to figure out how to soundproof a wall, don’t worry! In this article, we explain 9 cheap and easy techniques you can do yourself.

The advantages and disadvantages of living in an apartment are numerous. While apartments offer the benefit of close proximity to neighbors and city living, the noise level can be a significant downside. If you are considering renting an apartment, it is important to be aware of the potential noise level and whether or not you will be able to tolerate it.

The noise from next door neighbors, slamming doors, and overactive children can sometimes be overwhelming.

Even with considerate neighbors, there is still quite a bit of noise to deal with. A squeaky front door, loose floorboards in the apartment above, or even a leaky faucet in your own apartment can be quite bothersome.

The problem with living in a rent-controlled apartment is that you are limited in what you can do without requesting a permit. Furthermore, most permits are denied. Also, keep in mind that remodeling can be expensive. The bottom line is that you are stuck with what you have. So, what are your options?

There are a number of ways how to soundproof a wall and create a quiet environment in your home without spending a lot of money or waiting for months to see whether your permit has been approved.

9 Ways to Soundproof Existing Walls Easily and Cheaply

To help you get started, here are some of the best ways how to soundproof a wall cheaply or even for free. If you’re looking for ways to achieve peace and quiet, this will be of interest to you.

Rearrange the Furniture to Switch Things Up

If you’re looking to save some money, one way you can cut costs is by soundproofing your home. This can be as simple as rearranging your furniture, especially if you like to switch things up every now and then. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can soundproof your home.

• Add as many bookshelves, closets, or other furniture as you can to the critical walls (i.e., the walls that separate your apartment from the hallway, and the walls that separate you from the street).
• Also, the more echo a room picks up, the emptier it is. Another reason to add more furniture.
• If you have placed your armchairs or sofas against a noisy wall, move them away. Instead, put them in the middle of the room, or even better, on the other side of the room. If they are against the shared wall, you’ll be able to hear everything that’s going on next door.
• If there are noisy TVs or other appliances up against the wall, move them if you can.

Decorate Your Walls

One way to save money is to combine your decorating and soundproofing plans for your walls. By adding items to your walls that add mass, you can help reduce sound transfer and save on your overall decorating costs.

If you’re looking for ways to reduce noise in your home, consider incorporating wall art into your decor. While it won’t make a dramatic difference on its own, it can help to create a more tranquil atmosphere. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• If you don’t have any artwork hanging from your walls, you can try and create one yourself, or you can go out and buy some paintings to put up. You can find some pretty fabric paintings or large canvas art prints to hang.
• Thick and tightly-woven decorative quilts provide great sound insulation for any room. Also, they make it look cozy and homely.
• Thick wallpaper is a good choice if you don’t like hanging anything on your walls.

Note that thicker, denser materials that cover more wall surface area are more effective. So, wallpapers and painting can help to some degree, but quilts or similar items are even better.

Soundproof with Foam Panels

If you are looking for a more professional solution, look no further than soundproof foam panels. These panels may look expensive and difficult to install, but trust me – they’re not.

You have a wide variety of soundproofing panels to select from, available in a variety of colors and patterns to suit any taste.

If you’re looking for an alternative to wallpaper that will still give your walls a beautiful design, installing panels is an excellent idea. Here are some suggestions:

• You can install Superdense Soundproofing Acoustic Panels within a matter of minutes.
• 12 Pack- Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedges 1″ X 12″ X 12″ is a cheaper solution, and they come in many different colors.

Acoustic panels should be positioned according to where sound reflection points are. This can be determined through tests and experimentation. Therefore, it is advisable to use velcro strips or other non-permanent adhesives. For more information, consult the Soundproof Foam Panels for Better Acoustics guide.

Walls for Acoustic Fabric Panels

When compared to foam panels, fabric wall panels are only slightly more expensive but are still very affordable. They are constructed with a solid wood frame and fabric that is wrapped around them – a composition that gives these panels great sound absorption properties.

Acoustics Wall Panels by ATS Acoustics are the best in their class with a particularly high NRC rating. They’re easy to install, with all hardware and detailed instructions included, and cost around $50 each – a great value for superior soundproofing.

There are two fabric options to choose from.

• See ATS Acoustics Wall Panels on Amazon.
• If you prefer a more elegant look, then check these out that are wrapped in microsuede.

Seal the Cracks in Drywall

One way to soundproof a wall cheaply is by sealing all cracks and gaps in drywall. Acoustic caulk is the best material to use for this purpose, as it is efficient and easy to apply.

• It stays flexible.
• It doesn’t shrink or crack over time.
• It’s a permanent solution.

Acoustic caulk is a reliable and easy-to-apply material that will maintain its shape over time. No matter what type of caulk you choose, it is easy to apply. Here is a brief guide to get you started:

• Step 1: Protect yourself. Make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area. The smell can be overpowering, and you don’t want to cause any damage to your health.
• Step 2: Clean the surface. Wipe away any dirt, debris, or dust from the area so that it doesn’t interfere with the elasticity.
• Use a caulking gun to apply the caulk in Step 3.
• Step 4: Smooth out the caulk. Finally, you can use a caulking toolkit to smooth over the surface for a nice-looking finish. If you don’t feel like buying a toolkit, you can use your fingers instead.

Hang Some Soundproof Curtains Along Your Walls

As I stated previously, soundproof curtains are ideal for soundproofing in any space. The most logical place to hang them would be in front of your windows and doors, but have you considered hanging them along the walls?

Before purchasing soundproof curtains, please bear in mind that you will need to install a rod. If you do not wish to do so, then this suggestion does not apply to you.

You can use large room divider curtains to effectively muffle noise coming from next door. These curtains are actually quite effective; I should know, as I have already installed them in my bedroom. I bought beautiful burgundy ones that add a touch of sophistication to the decor.

They cancel out the noise very well, and I am pleased.

Use Heavy Moving Blankets

Moving blankets are most commonly used to protect furniture while moving houses. However, because of their heavy and dense structure, they also excel at preventing sound from passing through; hence they are sometimes referred to as “soundproof” blankets.

When discussing soundproofing, door and window soundproofing is typically the most common application, but soundproofing blankets can also be attached to walls. For ease of installation, look for blankets with grommets, which will allow you to easily hung the blanket on a rod or tack it to the wall.

We can conclude that soundproof blankets are an excellent and affordable way to soundproof any room, and we can take them down and re-hang them as often as necessary.

You Can Easily Install Soundproof Mats For Walls

High-density materials block sound and noise, making soundproof mats effective sound barriers. Installing soundproofing mats is a simple process, whether you choose to install them under the drywall or over it.

The TMS mass-loaded vinyl 4′ X 10′ (40 sf) 1 Lb MLV soundproofing barrier mat is an excellent option, as it is thin and flexible while still providing a high STC (Sound Transmission Class).

However, I should mention that it only comes in one color: black. So, if you aren’t a big fan of the color black, this mat isn’t for you. Also, it’s a bit on the expensive side, so that’s another thing you should factor into your decision.

Identify and Address Major Deficiencies in Wall Structures

If you’re looking to save time and soundproof your wall on a budget, it’s important to identify weak spots in your walls and address them first. The weakest spots in any wall are typically the windows, doors, and air vents.

The windows in many apartments are thin and do not prevent outside noise from coming in. This can include car horns, people yelling, and dogs barking.

Next, the doors are unlikely to completely block out noise from the hallway. So, you may be able to hear your neighbors’ conversations from the hall. Unless, of course, they are whispering.

You may want to consider doing something about your front door if you don’t want to be privy to your neighbor’s gossip about the newly married couple that just moved in.

However, soundproofing the front door is not the only measure you’ll need to take. If you have children, keep in mind that they can be quite noisy inside your apartment.

If you’re looking to relax after work with a glass of wine in one hand and a good book in the other, you’ll need some peace and quiet. Unfortunately, it can be tough to find peace and quiet when you have kids running around and screaming. Closing the doors in the apartment may help, but it’s unlikely to completely drown out the noise.

Finally, air vents play an important role in regulating airflow and noise levels in every room. Make sure to soundproof them accordingly to avoid any unwanted noise pollution.

Now that we’ve identified the areas we need to work on, let’s start with some simple and inexpensive ways to fix each one.

• Door

Firstly, many doors are hollow and worn out. Secondly, the gaps between the door and doorframe allow noise to enter. However, we can explore some cheap ways to reduce the noise. Thick soundproof doors are not an option.

There are several things you can do to reduce the amount of noise that enters your apartment, such as placing objects like bookshelves, shoe cabinets, and armoires in front of the edges of your doors.

Another way to reduce the amount of noise coming into your home is to install soundproof doors. This will not only reduce the amount of noise coming in but also improve the look of your home.

Choose a stylish design that will complement the color of your walls. In the wintertime, these blankets will help keep the warmth inside your apartment.

• Windows

For the windows, you will want to purchase soundproof curtains that are tightly woven and heavyweight, with as many layers as possible. Make sure to cover a few inches of the walls on both sides of the windows for the best results.

• Air Vents

Soundproofing an above-door air vent is a simple matter of hanging a long enough blanket or soundproof curtain above the vent and door. This will block the passage of sound and keep your room quieter.

One way to soundproof an air vent is to block it entirely. For example, you can place a bookshelf or something similar in front of the vent.

Soundproof with a Low Budget by Following These Additional Tips

If you’re looking for ways to reduce the amount of outside noise coming into your room, these suggestions are sure to help. However, if you’ve tried everything on this list and you’re still not satisfied, there are a few additional cheap tips that may be of assistance.

• Get some draft stoppers for your doors. Draft stoppers are not only great for keeping out the cold air, but also for reducing the amount of noise coming from the other side.
• Add small rugs to trouble areas. By adding soft rugs to rooms, you help reduce vibrations and ambient noise. So, even if our rooms are already carpeted, adding some soft padding under existing carpets or smaller rugs on top of them won’t hurt.
• Install window inserts. – Window inserts are great for blocking outside noise. And, they won’t block the view from your window since they are clear panes of glass. You install them over your existing windows, and they help reduce outside noise by up to 50%. If you also add soundproof curtains

Summary How to Soundproof a Wall

It is important to double-check your work when soundproofing a room to ensure that all holes and cracks in the walls are covered.

Remember to check your progress as you finish each room and don’t move on to the next one until you’re satisfied. We hope that these suggestions will help you to finally attain some much-needed peace and quiet.