Tips for Sound Insulation

Controlling noise transmission through soundproofing a room can be accomplished by making changes to the floor, wall, ceiling or all three areas. If you have a choice, you should know that structural renovations to make a floor soundproof tend to be easier than making a ceiling soundproof. Modern soundproofing is often directed not so much toward controlling the inflow of noise, but toward creating the perfect environment for enjoying home theater equipment.

Double-Stud Construction

If you are planning on building a new home or adding a room that offers better soundproofing that your existing rooms, then use double-stud construction rather than single-stud construction of walls. Double-stud construction is staggered, which allows sound insulation ( in German schallschutz) to be weaved between the studs to further obstruct sound waves.

Soundproofing the Source

Rather than spending considerable amounts of money trying to soundproof a room against noise, look at the situation from the other perspective. Locate the source of the most annoying noises and take steps to insulate from that location. If the noise is related to kitchen appliances, consider putting in cork tiles to help soften the vibrations. If the noise is mainly coming from outside, take steps to insulate openings through which the vibrations are entering like installing double glazed windows and adding weather-stripping to both doors and windows.

Sound Masking

Pleasant ambient sound and panels ( in German paneele) can help to insulate against unpleasant noise. Invest in an indoor waterfall to make unwanted sounds less intrusive. As you become accustomed to the background noise of your choice, you slowly condition yourself not to hear it, but it still acts as acoustic masking. A neutral sound to which you have grown accustomed can help cancel out other sounds that would otherwise become bothersome.

Acoustic Tile Ceiling

A relatively affordable way to create an efficient sound barrier for an entire room is to install acoustical tile ceilings. This is an especially useful soundproofing mechanism if you decide to transform your basement into a more useful space. A suspended ceiling made of acoustic tile not only can insulate against sound from the house above, but also provides the additional benefit of masking wire and pipe systems on the actual basement ceiling.