Everyone wants a quiet space at some point. For some, this is because they wish to escape from the sounds of the modern day just outside their walls, while others require quiet space for their work or other interests. For those that record, such as podcasts or music, having a quiet space gives them control over the sounds that end up in the final product.
However, in order to accomplish this quiet space, the room needs to be soundproofed. While there are any number of ways to accomplish that, the ideal is something that is both cheap and can be readily removed, especially if the room serves multiple purposes. Fortunately, those goals can be easily reached.
What You Will Need:
What You Are Trying To Accomplish
Sound is a vibration; by impacting certain nerve endings in the ear it creates sound. By “sound-proofing”, you are seeking to eliminate as many of those vibrations as possible in order to create a sound-free zone. They are a number of ways to reduce the number of vibrations and by using them you can create a relatively sound-free area.
It’s important to realize that it is virtually impossible to eliminate all vibration. However, it is possible to eliminate enough of the sound that it effectively does not matter. Thus, these tactics should help to eliminate as many sounds as humanly possible and thus create the sound-free environment that you desire.
Starting With the Windows
Weatherstripping may not be soundproof as caulking but it can be easily removed; caulking is thicker and thus eliminates more sound, but it is also permanent. Thus, if you need to insulate the room from louder sounds caulking may be better but if you need a temporary solution the weatherstripping may be better. Just remember to make sure that you do not limit any functionality of the window and you should do fine.
On To The Doors
Creating A Quieter Floor
- Size: (3'3" X 4'7")
- Color: Charcoal Grey
Ceilings Up Above
Making The Walls Silent
The walls are going to be the hardest part, especially if they are of hardwood. They represent a myriad of different issues for someone looking to soundproof them, but they can be silenced. The big problem with walls is that they not only represent a large hard surface for sound to bounce off but they can be covered by a number of smaller hard surfaces: framed pictures. While it is possible to take them down, it may be difficult or just too onerous to do so; if that is the case then they need to be covered. Bookshelves and other furniture can be problematic as well; keep in mind that they can be covered as well. Obviously, acoustic blankets can be a saving grace.
Keep in mind that you can also arrange your furniture for the best possible sound-dampening, especially if that furniture is soft. The best placement for the furniture is against the wall so it so that it absorbs the most possible sound. You can also use softer elements such as pillows judiciously in order to mute the sound as well; they can be used as a stopgap measure for any areas that can be difficult to cover by other means. The furniture placed in this way also effectively adds thickness to the wall, further making it difficult for sound to come in. Furniture can thus be used to help or hinder efforts to soundproof the room. Lastly, wall hangings can be used to cover large areas strategically.
And Do Not Forget the Rest of the House
