Sound-proofing a room?

[Jaguar]

Hmmm...I get annoyed of noises from outside when I am playing a game or watching a movie...so I'm thinking, is there any inexpensive way to sound proof a room?

Any suggestions on how to confine sound within the room, and prevent external sound from going in? Of course, I can't expect perfect sound-proofing..but, say, a 50% reduction is a good way to start....Ideas?

 

[MichaelD]

You've already told us that you want to prevent outside noises from coming. So, inexpensive? No. You will need several layer of insulation as well as another inner wall to hold it all in. Not inexpensive by any means.

When you say "outside", do you mean the dorm room next door, or really outside, like trucks, car alarms and gunshots? Soundproofing a room is an expensive proposition. Just do what I do; turn the volume up!

 

[Big Lar]

No need for xtra walla, just buy some Blow in Insulation, buy the Plugs for the wall as well, and most places will let you have the "Hopper" ( insulation machine), for a few hours. Interior wall is insulated by drilling holes about 4" from the cieling, exterior the same way, Insulation is blown in, plugs go in the Holes when done... all done, and probably the whole room for maybe 60 bucks.

 

[MichaelD]

Excellent suggestion by BigLar. I never thought of that. ONe thing to be concerned about with this idea though; will you be allowed to do it?

If you live in a dorm, forget about it. They'll laugh you right out the door. If you live an apartment, they will definitely tell you know. They'll mumble crap about violating your lease, creating a fire hazard, etc. All apartment managers are ignorant and know zero about the apartments they manage.
If you live in a house that you own, then you are set. Good luck.

 

[Jaguar]

I don't think filling-in the walls with Blow-in is possible in my situation because the room has concrete walls

But thanks for ideas guys!

 

[worth]

Easiest way--get some of those things they put the eggs in. If you're lucky you can find some 1footx1foot ones that are made out of cardboard. Just use duck tape, and tape them closely to the wall.

 

[cchen]

Just get good insulation for your room. At work, there's this room that so well insulated that you can hear your own heartbeat. I guess the Army uses that room to test their acoustic devices.

 

[Woodie]

Do a search...I found a site (a few years back) that showed you how to insulate your basement/garage/room so you could have your whole heavy-metal band in the basement jamming, and upstairs they could watch TV.

Don't bother with the egg-holders--the shapes right, the material is wrong.

To sum up what they said--soft absorbs sound, so non-rigid insulation in the walls, and on all the surfaces facing the sound. (try hanging heavy blankets over the doors and walls---should be in contact with the wall surface, the thicker the better.

Look for sound leaks: doors, cracks, windows, etc..

--Woodie

 

[jamarno]

Blown-in insulation helps only a little, and you don't want to put in cellulose because there's a risk that dust from the cellulose will never stop leaking out of ducts and wall outlets.

Bass needs dense but resilient material, while treble can be blocked with light material. In any case, sealing air leaks helps a lot, such as around wall outlets and ducts.

If you ever decide to bite the bullet and build a highly soundproof room, drywall attached to metal acoustical channels (resemble tiny gutters) run perpendicular to the studs are much more effective than staggered studs.