There are many things that can negatively impact sleep, from light seeping in from outside to what you eat before bed. One of the biggest factors that can disrupt sleep is noise. Ahead, we’ll share strategies on how to soundproof a bedroom so you can experience uninterrupted sleep.
Why soundproof your bedroom
Whether you choose to do it on your own or hire professionals, it’s actually pretty essential to soundproof your bedroom any way you can.
“You do not realize how important soundproofing is until you need it,” notes Kellen Beaver, sales manager at Soundproof Cow. “Bedrooms are often a person’s respite, their one place where peace and quiet, above anywhere else, is sacred. The main reason that people reach out to us for soundproofing their bedrooms is because that peace and quiet is gone.”
Assessing your soundproofing needs
If you’ve realized soundproofing is a must in your bedroom, next, you’ll need to determine what exactly needs soundproofing. For instance, how can you tell where the noise is really coming from? As it turns out, diagnosing where the sound is originating is an easy process, according to Beaver.
“There are certainly instances where more complex scenarios arise, but typically, we are being contacted because someone can hear traffic through their wall, or a child playing video games in the room above, or someone lives in a bedroom directly below the kitchen,” he explains. “More extreme instances may require having an expert come on site to investigate the source, but most scenarios for soundproofing a bedroom can be determined via phone, email, or video chat.”
“Bedrooms are often a person’s respite, their one place where peace and quiet, above anywhere else, is sacred. The main reason that people reach out to us for soundproofing their bedrooms is because that peace and quiet is gone.” – Kellen Beaver, sales manager at Soundproof Cow
How to soundproof your bedroom
Walls
Adding “heavy mass” to the wall makes it more difficult for sound to penetrate through, says Beaver. Some examples of this heavy mass include additional layers of drywall and soundproofing compounds that can be used between layers of drywall.
Floors
“Using a flooring underlayment will help to stop footfall noise from being heard below,” says Beaver.
Ceilings
While ceilings tend to be one of the more complex surfaces to address in a room since they typically require “more invasive solutions,” isolating the ceiling is the best way to stop the sound transfer, says Beaver. “This almost always requires some construction to the ceiling,” he adds.
Doors
If you’re wondering how to soundproof a bedroom door, you should know that “most people are focused on adding something to the face of the door and not considering how much sound leaks around the door,” says Beaver. “Door sweeps and perimeter seals are easy to install and often more important than covering the face of the door to stop sound transfer.”
Windows
As it turns out, windows are “easily the most difficult component of sound control,” says Beaver, since glass is particularly susceptible to sound transfer.
“Sound is like water and will take the path of least resistance,” he explains. “Consider heavy curtains, but more severe sound issues may require replacement windows with double panes or STC [Sound Transmission Class] ratings.”
DIY soundproofing hacks
If you’re not able to turn to any of the aforementioned methods that may require time, effort, and money, there are things you can do on your own to soundproof your bedroom.
Beaver recommends adding heavy bookcases on walls where sound transfer is occurring. Also, if you have a treadmill above your bedroom, Beaver suggests adding a rug with a heavy carpet pad under the treadmill, which will stop some of the footfall noise being heard in the room below.
“None of these will fully eliminate the sound transfer but can make an impact on the sound issue,” he says.
Enhancing soundproofing
Now that you’re aware of how to make bedroom soundproof, perhaps you’d like to enhance the soundproofed qualities of your space. Beyond any soundproofing materials, Beaver says the most effective way to enhance soundproofing is through sound masking devices.
“Sound masking is tailored to soundproofing more than a traditional white noise machine,” he says.
Professional soundproofing services
If noise is truly keeping you up at night, and you’ve tried some methods on your own, it could be time to hire a professional.
“If you are having any issues with sound, we suggest reaching out for a consultation and assessing the situation,” says Beaver. “Once an effective solution is determined, professionals will guide you on the appropriate next steps and materials.”
According to Angie’s List, the approximate price range for working with a professional is between $1,022 and $2,700.
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FAQs
How can I make my bedroom soundproof?
You can either turn to a professional who can do things like add extra layers of drywall or put down flooring underlayment (or you can do these things yourself if you’re handy) or you can try less expensive DIY approaches, like putting up bookshelves or purchasing a sound masking device.
What is the cheapest way to soundproof a room?
It depends on the type of sounds you’re trying to eliminate. “Vibrations, for example, will require more invasive construction-based solutions to effectively mitigate the issue,” says Beaver. “Every situation comes with its own challenges, but proper planning and floor plan layouts can go a long way in keeping cost down.”
Can you soundproof a bedroom wall?
Yes. This can be accomplished through adding “heavy mass” to the wall that will make it more difficult for sound to get through. This can include things like adding more layers of drywall or using soundproofing compounds between layers of drywall.
Next, find out whether blackout curtains can help reduce noise in the bedroom.
