Demolition may not be on your shortlist of soundproofing to-dos, but that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve great soundproofing results by soundproofing your existing walls. You can easily and affordably add soundproofing elements to your existing walls to achieve great soundproofing results, and I am going to tell you exactly how to do it in these three easy steps.
Step 1 – Seal the Cracks with Soundproofing Sealant
The foundation of any building will settle after time, so there may be a number of settlement cracks that have formed after a period of time. These cracks may seem harmless, but they are your archenemy if you are trying to soundproof, as noise can easily seep through the smallest of cracks.
Green Glue Noise Proofing Sealant is the perfect sealant for the job. You will need a one-quart caulking gun to apply the sealant, similar to the gun I have linked here. The sealant goes on evenly and quickly seals cracks in drywall, ceilings, or joints.
This step seems minuscule, but it is extremely important. A collection of small cracks within a room that are not properly sealed can easily emit noise and sound, even after you add soundproofing panels.
Once you add noise proofing sealant, this sealant will help absorb the outside noise from entering through the walls of your home.
Step 2 – Paint the Walls and Ceiling
What does paint have to do with soundproofing a room? Everything. With soundproofing paint, you can add an extra layer of soundproofing to a room by simply painting the walls and ceiling of the room.
Soundproof paint and soundproof paint additives are thicker than normal paint. You will also want to apply two or three coats, at minimum, for optimal soundproofing results.
Soundproof paint and soundproof paint additives are not meant to drown out extremely loud noises, such as constant barking dogs, loud music, or loud home theater systems. However, soundproof paint and soundproof paint additives will help deaden the sound of normal outside noise, voices, and sounds.
Acousti-Coat Sound Deadening Paint is bright white with a flat finish and comes in one gallon or five gallons. You can paint the walls and ceiling of the room you are soundproofing before adding the next layer of soundproofing. For optimal results, you will want to use two or more coats of sound deadening paint to help soundproof the walls.
Another option you have for soundproof paint is adding a soundproofing additive to the paint you currently have on hand.
Thermacels Insulating Paint Additive can be added to anyone gallon of paint to make the paint soundproof. This additive consists of thermacels, which is mixed with the paint and applied to the walls to absorb sounds, such as voices, televisions, and music.
Step 3 – Add Soundproofing Foam Panels
The last step in soundproofing your existing walls is to add soundproof foam panels. The surface of these panels is flat or sculpted. Flat panels are dense and thick to absorb sound that nears the panel, while sculpted panels have textured features, such as pyramids, egg crates, or ridges, to absorb and reflect the sound.
Acoustic Foam Panel 48” x 24” x 1”
These flat foam panels are 48 inches long by 24 inches wide and 1-inch thick. They are thick and can cover a large surface area.
Foamily Acoustic Foam Pyramid Foam Panel 48” x 24” x 2” (2 Pack)
These foam panels are 48 inches long by 24 inches wide and two inches thick. Instead of a flat surface, the surface is sculpted with a 2-inch pyramid design. This design sculpture of the foam allows the sound to be both absorbed and reflected.
Soundproofing foam panels are a great addition to any soundproofing project because of their quality effectiveness.
To apply foam panels to your existing walls, simply spray the foam panel with a foam-safe adhesive and apply to the wall.
Soundproofing foam panels now come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. This gives you a variety of decorating options to choose from, rather than the basic black or charcoal gray color.
Other Ways to Enhance Soundproofing
Once you have soundproofed your existing walls, there are some additional things you can do in your home to help soundproof.
1. Rearrange Furniture
Rearranging the furniture in your home can help soundproof the room from outside noises and sounds. Move large, heavy furniture to specific locations in your room that sound frequently enters. The sound will be absorbed through the furniture and keep it from entering the remainder of the room.
2. Add Rugs or Curtains
Another way to help with soundproofing a room is to add rugs, carpet, or curtains to the room. Rugs or carpet will help a hardwood floor absorb the frequent creaks and sounds that enter from the floor. Heavy curtains placed in front of windows will also help muffle those outside noises when they attempt to enter your home.
Things to Remember
- You will want to seal all cracks of the walls, floors, and ceiling before adding any soundproofing paint or materials. Noise proofing sealant is the perfect sealant for the job because of its soundproofing composition and easy application. Even the smallest crack can yield a large outlet for sound, so don’t overlook any crack during this process.
- Even if you don’t want to apply multiple coats of soundproofing paint, you should plan to apply at least one coat. While two or more coats will produce the best results, one coat of soundproofing paint is better than nothing.
- Once you have sealed and painted your walls, it’s now time to add the foam panels. You can choose from flat panels or sculpted panels. Simply spray the back of the foam panel with a foam-safe adhesive and apply it to the walls.
- If you still need to enhance the soundproofing of your room, you can rearrange furniture or add additional soundproofing elements, such as rugs, carpet, or curtains.