How Much Does It Cost To Soundproof A Room

Beginner Info, Soundproofing

how much does it cost to soundproof a room
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Well, in this post, I’ll walk you through the various aspects of the cost involved in soundproofing a room project.

Moreover, even though you’re on a shoestring budget, you can soundproof your room.

I’m not telling you to believe my words.

We’ve included a rough estimate to help you get an idea of the amount of money you’ll need to spend on your soundproof room project.

How much does it cost to soundproof a room?

What is the soundproofing cost per square foot for a mid-sized room?

Well, in case you’re looking for the answer to similar questions, then you’ve landed on the correct post.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the cost involved in soundproofing a room which can be further segregated into soundproofing floor cost, soundproofing wall cost, etc.

To make things simple and easy for the newbies as well as experienced soundproof enthusiasts, we’ll be sharing the cost of soundproofing cost per square foot.

Recently, I completed ten years as a soundproof consultant.

Before I dive deep into the topic, allow me to ask a simple yet interesting question with you.

Can you tell me, which is the most frequently asked question by my clients?

I’m assuming that most of you would have definitely guessed it RIGHT.

The question is, “How much does it cost to soundproof a room?”

Let me tell you, the aforementioned question would be asked by my clients a couple of minutes after they enter my cabin.

 So, it goes without saying that this question is very important, and at the same time, I’ll try to the best of my capabilities to answer it as accurately as I can. 

Of course, there isn’t any hard and fast rule for pricing.

The cost of any project depends on lots of parameters.

For example, the cost of soundproofing a room can be greatly influenced by the soundproofing material that you choose and also, by the methods that you want to apply.

 I’m going to share an average price for soundproofing a mid-sized room. 

Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to spend a fortune on a soundproofing project.

All the methods that I’m gonna discuss in this post are effective as well as affordable.

The main motive behind this post is to help you with the required information and insight so that at the end of the post, you’ll be able to make an informed decision.

Until and unless your requirement is idiosyncratic, you don’t need to spend too much cash on the soundproofing room project.

So, without any further ado, let’s start with some of the most popular methods of soundproofing a room.

How much does it cost to soundproof a wall?

  • Without any doubt, the walls of a room are the hardest part to soundproof.
  • However, there are several effective methods to soundproof a wall.
  • So, let’s have a look at the budget involved in soundproofing walls.
Material for Soundproofing Wall
Price
Mass Loaded Vinyl$100 – $200 for 50 sq feet
Mineral Wool Batts
~$155
Foam Panels$22 for a pack of 12
Fiberglass Panels$68 for a pack of 12
Regular Drywall$600 for 12×12 sq feet
Soundproof Drywall$1000 – $1200 for 12×12 sq feet

Mass Loaded Vinyl

Mass-loaded vinyl is a well-known sound-blocking material that is capable of blocking both airborne as well as impact noise.

The USP of mass-loaded vinyl is that it can deal with any type of noise.

For example, you can use it against reverbs, vibrations, and echoes.

Even the external noise can be dampened with the help of mass-loaded vinyl.

In layman’s language, mass-loaded vinyl popularly known as “MLV” is a one-man army.

Unlike other sound-absorbing materials that require a combination of two or more materials to combat both impact and airborne noise, MLV does it all alone.

The popularity of this product is skyrocketing because of its availability at an affordable price.

The price of the MLV falls under the range of $100-$200.

For example, the mass-loaded vinyl that I recommend can cover up to 40 square feet for $120 or so. 

Moreover, the implementation part is user-friendly, and the good news is, that you can apply mass-loaded vinyl in different ways.

You can put MLV on the wall as well as inside the wall.

It performs well in both cases.

Furthermore, it is highly dense, compact, and thick enough to combat unwanted noise.

Average cost: As said earlier, the price of mass-loaded vinyl falls in the range of $100 and $200 and can cover up to 50 square feet.

Mineral Wool Batts

The mineral wool batts are popularly known as Rockwool batts.

This highly dense material can combat noise effectively. 

Moreover, the thickness of this soundproofing material is quite admirable.

Bonus Tip: The thicker and denser the mineral wool batt the better it will combat noise.

They are a great way to add thickness to the walls during the construction.

In fact, they are inserted between the joists to add extra thickness to the walls.

It goes without saying that this product is a blend of effectiveness and affordability.

Needless to say, mineral wool batts are ranked highly among soundproofing materials.

I always vouch for this product. (Check the Current Price On Amazon)

It will cost you somewhere around $60 and is comparatively costlier than the mass-loaded vinyl.

Acoustic Panels

If you’ve been an avid reader of this blog, then you would be aware of the benefits of acoustic panels.

I’ve mentioned quite a few times about acoustic foam panels in my previous articles.

The importance and effectiveness of this product can be visualized from the fact that they are used in audio recording studios.

Let’s dive deep into this product.

Acoustic panels are of two types: foam panels, and fiberglass panels.

Foam panels are mostly installed for combating echoes, reverbs, and vibrations.

The foam panels are used in the music industry.

Well, if we talk about the price, they are quite cheap, in fact, you can get 12 packs of panels 1″ X 12″ X 12” at less than $30.

Another one is fiberglass panels.

You can bet on these panels to deal with an extremely loud noise.

The fiberglass panels can be easily installed and they can combat the noise in a much better way as compared to the foam panels.

Of course, they are quite expensive.

But, I can assure you that they can easily solve your noise problems.

They will cost you almost thrice the price of foam panels.

Just a rough estimate, a pack of 12 with the size of 1” X 12” X 12” will cost roughly $70.

Cost of Drywall

Drywall is yet another effective way to deal with the noise.

There are two types of drywall: regular drywall and soundproof drywall.

Regular drywalls are perceived as an additional layer of defense against the noise.

It works on the principle that the more the thickness the better will be the sound dampening capabilities.

Needless to say, an additional layer to your wall will ensure more peace.

Let’s see, how much you need to pay to get an additional layer of defense?

Well, a room with dimensions 12 * 12 sq feet will cost you around $600 on average.

Though the regular drywall is good as an additional defense layer still it couldn’t do the job as accurately as the soundproof drywall.

As the name suggests, soundproof drywalls are meant for just one reason, to combat unwanted noise.

These drywalls perform really well if your home is in the vicinity of a high-traffic zone, an airport, or a railway engine.

For a 12 * 12 sq feet room, you may need to invest in the range of $1000 and $1200 which is almost double the price of regular drywall.

How much does it cost to soundproof a ceiling?

Material for Soundproofing CeilingPrice
Mass Loaded Vinyl$100 – $200 for 50 sq feet
Foam Panels

$22 for a pack of 12

Fiberglass Panels$68 for a pack of 12

When you’re soundproofing a ceiling, you can’t ignore the impact of gravity, right?

Unfortunately, you can’t use all the types of soundproofing materials.

But, you can use mass-loaded vinyl and acoustic panels.

In short, you need to dampen the unwanted noise using these two soundproofing materials.

The first time I was doing a soundproofing ceiling project, I was not having a good time with the project.

Well, the reason was quite simple: limitation of use of soundproofing materials.

In terms of cost, it is almost the same as soundproofing walls.

However, the installation process is tedious and time-consuming as compared to the latter.

Some of the soundproofing materials used in the project are quite heavy and it is advisable to take professional help for the installation process.

There are some cheap methods to soundproof ceilings but they don’t work well in case, you want to combat loud noise.

For example, you can request your neighbor living above your apartment to add carpet on their floor.

I know that this method is not gonna work until you’ve got an amicable relationship with your neighbor.

However, it’s worth trying because you don’t have anything on the plate to lose.

How much does it cost to soundproof a window?

Well, when it comes to soundproofing windows, there are numerous cost-effective methods available.

Most of the newbies may not be aware of the fact that there are some methods that are exclusively developed for soundproofing windows.

Material for Soundproofing WindowsPrice
Soundproof Curtains~$25
Curtain Rod<$20
Window Plug<$50 for 2m x 1m
Weatherstripping Tape< $15

Soundproof Curtains

Personally, I’m a great admirer of soundproofing curtains.

These acoustic drapes are among the few sound-dampening materials that can block as well as absorb the noise.

And, for these specific properties, noise-canceling curtains are used in almost all soundproofing projects related to homes and offices.

These heavy soundproof curtains are specifically designed to combat airborne noise.

Pro Tip: Buy a soundproof curtain that has grommets embedded in it.

Though soundproof curtains without eyelets/grommets may cost you somewhat less still I would never recommend you to go for it.

Installing grommets on your own is a time-consuming process.

In case, you have got a good knowledge of soundproof curtains, then you can buy a good curtain for as low as $30.

But, the million-dollar question is, “Are you ready to spend that much money to buy peace?”

No one else can answer this question for you.

Bonus Tip: While buying soundproof curtains always give preference to multi-layered and heavy curtains.

You’ll need a curtain rod to hang the acoustic curtain.

There are a wide variety of curtain rods available on the market, and depending on the size the price varies.

Nonetheless, you’ll get a good curtain rod for as little as $20.

Window Plug

As the name suggests, a window plug is a soundproofing method developed exclusively for the windows.

You may think that the process will be costly, but the fact is, you can go for this method if you’re ready to spend at least $50.

Definitely, the price depends on the size of the window I’ve given you a rough estimate for a window with the dimension 2m * 1m.

You can’t buy a customized window plug from the market.

In fact, you’ll have to make it on your own.

 I would also like to highlight that the performance of the window plug will depend to a large extent on the quality of soundproofing materials that you’ll use in the project. 

For making your own window plug, you’ll need a handle, acoustic foam, and a wooden panel.

Moreover, it’s quite easy to make an effective window plug even though it’s your first DIY soundproofing project.

You won’t need a huge investment at all.

Already we know that the foam panels aren’t expensive, and all you need to pay for is the window frame.

I can assure you that if you’ll do the things right then you can expect the entire project to be completed in less than $30.

Seal the Gaps

Before I start a discussion on the gaps, let me tell you, that without sealing the gaps, cracks, and holes in the vicinity of your door, you can’t have an optimum end result.

Needless to say, sometimes even the smallest of the gaps can give passage to tons of noise.

Therefore, sealing the gaps must be taken as a high priority.

The best ways to get rid of these gaps are by using weatherstripping tape, a well-known sound deadener, and a thermal leak reducer.

Well, you need to spend as little as $20 to get things done and to make your room thermal insulated and soundproofed.

So, what are you waiting for?

How much does it cost to soundproof a door?

Soundproofing a door isn’t as tedious as soundproofing walls.

There are numerous ways to soundproof a door.

The budget for the soundproof door project depends upon the selection of methods as well as soundproofing materials.

However, if you’re ready to spend as low as 100 dollars, then you can definitely expect a good outcome from your soundproofing door project.

As a newbie, you need to be aware of the fact that soundproofing a solid core door is a bit easier as compared to soundproofing a hollow door.

Material for Soundproofing DoorPrice
Moving Blanket$40 for 72″ X 80″
Foam Panels$22 for a pack of 12
Fiberglass Panels$68 for a pack of 12
Weatherstripping Tape< $15
Door Sweep$10

Moving Blankets

Moving blankets aka soundproofing blankets are great sound-absorbing materials.

These acoustic blankets are known for their weight and thickness.

Pro Tip: The thicker the blanket the better it will perform against the unwanted noise.

You’ll be astonished to know that the main purpose of these moving blankets was to protect the household appliances and furniture during the shifting.

Nonetheless, because of the thickness, density, and compact sewing, these blankets became popular among soundproof enthusiasts.

As a rough estimate, the size of 72″ X 80″ will cost you less than $50 which isn’t a bad deal at all seeing the multi-functionality of the product.

I had tried a couple of moving blankets before narrowing down on the one (Check the Current Price On Amazon) that suits my requirements.

Other than the blankets, you may need to invest in the rod to hang them.

Since these blankets are quite heavy, you’ll need a strong rod, and it will not cost you more than 20 dollars.

So, all in all, a budget in the range of $60 to $80 is more than enough for one door.

Acoustic Panels

Already we’ve discussed the acoustic panels in detail.

However, if you’re interested in using it to soundproof your door, then I hope you are aware of its price.

I just wanna say that acoustic panels can be used anywhere to combat the noise problem.

It goes without saying that these panels are value-for-money products and dampen the noise effectively.

Just a reminder, fiberglass panels are three times pricier than foam panels, but the price of the former is justified by the value it brings to the table.

If you’re the one who doesn’t want to compromise on the quality of the product, then I would recommend you go for the fiberglass.

Weatherstrip and Door Sweep

Time and again, I’ve said on this blog that success can’t be achieved without sealing the gap.

As you all know, air acts as a medium for sound to travel.

So, if you’ve holes, cracks, or even gaps in the vicinity of the door, then air can easily traverse in and out, and so can the sound waves.

Furthermore, all your efforts will go in vain if you can’t seal the gaps.

When it comes to soundproofing doors the biggest gap is between the bottom of the door and the floor, right?

Weatherstripping can be used for sealing the gaps, cracks, and holes in the vicinity of the door.

However, for the space between the door bottom and the floor, weatherstrip isn’t a good option.

In almost, all my soundproofing door projects, I’ve used silicone door sweep (Check the Current Price On Amazon) to close the gap between the bottom of the door and the floor.

These sweeps are literally awesome.

Don’t worry, they aren’t costly, and even though you’re on a shoestring budget, you can afford silicone door sweeps.

You’ll get these sweeps for less than $15.

Other than dampening noise, these sweeps also prevent thermal leakage and bugs from infesting the room.

Hope it helps!

How much does it cost to soundproof the floor?

Soundproofing floors can be quite easy or time-consuming depending upon the methods you select.

In case, you want to go for soundproof floor underlayment, then it will cost you a lot.

However, using carpets to soundproof floors can be a cost-effective method.

In most cases, the soundproofing floor is one of the ways to reduce echoes, reverbs, and vibrations in the room.

A budget of $100 is more than enough to dampen the echoes.

Material for Soundproofing FloorPrice
Carpet<$100

How much does it cost to soundproof a chimney?

Soundproofing a chimney will neither take too much of your time nor the funds.

If done smartly, it will not cost you more than 50 dollars.

Chimney balloon is the product that I would recommend you (Check the Current Price On Amazon) when it comes to soundproofing chimneys.

The installation of this balloon is quite easy.

Simply, you need to put the balloon in the chimney.

Rest will be taken care of by the balloon.

The balloon will block the noise of the wind coming down through the chimney.

Moreover, the chimney balloon isn’t costly.

You can get them at less than 50 dollars or so.

These balloons can REALLY last long.

FAQs

I’ll be taking some of the frequently asked queries by my readers as well as clientele. In case, you also have any questions related to the topic, feel free to ask in the comment section.

How can I soundproof a room cheaply?

  • The cost of soundproofing a room depends to a large extent on the selection of soundproofing materials as well as soundproofing methods.
  • I would request you to spend some time with this article and other related articles to have a clear idea about soundproofing room costing, soundproofing materials, and sound absorbing materials.
  • Furthermore, you’ll be well informed to make a smart decision.

Can I soundproof a room after construction?

  • Definitely, you can soundproof a room after construction.
  • However, at times, you may need to do some modifications if your room walls are thin or the floors aren’t responding well even after soundproofing them.
  • But, the good news is, that a majority of unwanted noise can be dampened by soundproofing a room in the correct way.

It’s A Wrap

  • I’ll not say that the budget that we’ve given you is an ideal one.
  • In fact, it is just a rough estimate, and depending on your requirements, the budget can increase or decrease.
  • However, at the same time, I hope this article will definitely give you some insight into the expenses, and based on that, you can make a smart as well as an informed decision.
  • As a soundproof consultant, I’ve done quite a few soundproofing apartments and office projects, and you know what, in most of the projects, the toughest job used to be soundproofing the walls.
  • If the walls lack the desired thickness, then the project wouldn’t be a cakewalk.
  • So, to conclude, I would say you prioritize the task and of course, give the first priority to soundproofing walls.
  • Needless to say, walls form a greater area of the room.
  • Nevertheless, if we set aside the walls, the rest of the methods will not need more than $150 each.
  • Well, all said and done, soundproofing a room isn’t as expensive as it seems to be.
  • Moreover, to get the best out of the project, you need to be well aware of the soundproofing as well as the sound-absorbing material’s effectiveness and functionality.
  • How much does it cost you to soundproof your room?
  • What are the methods you used in soundproofing your room?
  • Which is your favorite method of the ones mentioned above when it comes to soundproofing?
  • In case, you’ve used some soundproofing methods that you don’t find in the list, then let us know about the method and its effectiveness.
  • Last but not least, share this piece of information with the ones who are in need of similar information.
  • After all, sharing is caring.