In this post, I will be discussing the list of cheapest soundproofing materials that would help you to soundproof your room on a budget.
Furthermore, I’ll also answer some of the questions on the topic cheapest soundproofing materials to help you make an informed decision.
So, without any further ado, let’s begin.
Well, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the soundproofing industry for quite a few time now these 20 cheap soundproofing materials will definitely help you to achieve the epitome of silence even though you’re on a shoestring budget.
It goes without saying that the list comprises materials that are good at sound-absorbing, dampening, insulation, decoupling, etc.
At the same time, it is very important for you to understand that you may not be needing all 20 products in one go.
Depending upon your soundproof project, you may be selecting the materials.
After all, the success of a soundproofing project to a great extent depends upon the selection of both sounds absorbing as well as soundproofing materials.
Even though you’re a first-time buyer, you don’t have to worry at all about the necessary information because we’ll help you with all the required information to make an informed buying decision.
Soundproofing Material Types
Knowing about the different types of soundproofing materials would help you to some extent in narrowing down the options.
At the same time, it is equally important for you to understand that “one size fits all” wouldn’t work when it comes to soundproofing projects.
Well, if you’re not aware of some of the most common categories in this domain then let me tell you, categories such as acoustic foams, sound insulation, acoustic fabrics, sound deadeners, floor underlayment, sound dampening spray, architectural soundproofing are things to consider.
Moreover, whenever you’re planning to buy a cheap soundproofing material it is equally important for you to follow the four principles of soundproofing.
Mass
In layman’s terms, mass is directly proportional to the sound-dampening capability of soundproofing material.
Though exceptions are bound to be there I would say the higher the mass of the material the more it will have the noise-combating capability.
Especially if you’re struggling with an airborne noise then definitely a soundproofing material with a decent mass would work better for you rather than the ones that have fewer masses.
Damping
The other principle that you should be aware of is damping and compounds like Green Glue and Silicon Caulk are some of the cheapest soundproofing materials that fall under the damping category.
Damping is the process that involves the release of sound in the form of heat energy.
The best way to dampen the sound is by sandwiching sound-dampening compounds between the layers of plywood, drywall, etc. so as to get the best out of the sound-dampening material.
Decoupling
Well, some of the materials on our list are highly effective when it comes to combating noise by means of decoupling.
However, there is a limitation to this method. It can give you optimum results only if the building is still under construction because decoupling involves creating gaps in the structure of a building.
Sound waves are interrupted because of the creation of disconnected pathways for sound transmission.
Moreover, the materials used for decoupling are mostly installed during the construction phase to avoid any compatibility.
However, even if your apartment is completely constructed you can still try the decoupling method but the result may vary drastically.
In the context of decoupling, the first name that comes to my mind is the resilient channel.
Needless to say, resilient channels are the perfect example of soundproofing materials that are used for decoupling purposes.
Absorption
Definitely, whenever I talk about the sound-absorbing material to my clientele the first name that comes to my mind is acoustic foam.
Sound absorption materials are definitely of great help in case you want to improve the acoustics (quality of sound) of your room.
And, because of the ability of these materials to enhance the acoustic quality of a room, you can find them in most of the acoustic music and video recording studios.
Soundproofing Materials to Soundproof Your Home on a Budget
So, I’m assuming that now you’ve got a clear picture of types of soundproofing materials and if you still have some doubts then feel free to ask us in the comment section.
Moving further, I’ll walk you through the products that were made to our list and all the information related to it that would help you to make an informed buying decision.
Acoustic Foam Panels
Definitely, acoustic foam panels are one of the cheapest soundproofing materials available on the market.
However, they may not be the best ones when it comes to combating noise.
When it comes to combating noise, echoes, and reverbs, acoustic foam panels are the ones that you think of giving a try.
In case, you’re looking for a temporary solution to unwanted noise then definitely acoustic foam panel is definitely the soundproofing material that you should consider.
Moreover, they are also easy to install and use and even though you’re new to the soundproofing domain you can easily use them.
Recording rooms, control board rooms, etc. are some of the common places where you’ll find the acoustic foam panels.
Needless to say, acoustic foam panels perform really well in small and medium rooms and they are one of the best soundproofing materials when it comes to enhancing the quality of the sound.
Low-Frequency Sound Absorbing Bass Traps
Well, these acoustic materials are used to stop bass noise or sounds and as the name suggests, they will definitely help you in getting rid of low-frequency sounds.
Needless to say, these bass traps are quite affordable and you can install them without any hassle.
All you need to do is to place them in the corner of your room and the rest will be taken care of by the bass trap.
I personally use and vouch for Auralex Bass Trap. These bass traps have exceeded my expectations when it comes to tackling the impact noise.
(Check the Current Price On Amazon)
Soundproof Curtains
One of the cheapest yet highly effective sound-dampening materials is soundproof curtains.
They can absorb as well as obstruct unwanted noise so you can use them for both soundproofing as well as sound-absorbing purposes.
It goes without saying that the market is flooded with different types of soundproofing curtains and selecting the one that caters to your need could be a different ball game altogether.
However, if you follow some simple hacks you could easily make an informed buying decision.
Most importantly, you need to look for curtains that are thicker, heavier, and have grommets embedded in them.
I’ve written a detailed article on sound-blocking curtains to help you make an informed decision.
(Check the Current Price On Amazon)
Soundproof Blankets
Soundproof blankets can help you in soundproofing doors, windows, and even walls.
They may not be aesthetically appealing still they are universally used to tackle sound.
These moving blankets are thicker, denser, heavier, and sturdier as compared to the soundproof blankets.
(Check the Current Price On Amazon)
Door Sealing Gasket and Sweeps
In our article on soundproofing doors, we’ve explained in detail the importance of door-sealing baskets and sweeps.
If you’re an avid reader of this blog then you would be aware of the fact that soundproofing windows and doors are very critical when it comes to achieving the epitome of silence.
Don’t take me wrong but you’ll have to pay special attention to the spaces and openings around the door frame and below the door.
When it comes to soundproofing doors and windows sealing the holes plays an important role because failing to seal them could lead all your effort into a vein.
Here comes the role of a good gasket material which helps in sealing the gap.
These gaskets help you achieve quietness by absorbing sound waves coming into your room or vice-versa through the critical points.
One of the critical spaces to be covered during soundproofing a door is the space between the bottom of the door and the floor.
You can install a door sweep on the bottom of the door to seal the gap.
(Check the current price on Amazon)
Weather-strip Door Kit
Definitely, the weatherstrip door kit plays a crucial role when it comes to soundproofing your door.
As per my experience and expertise, I can say with confidence that small gaps, cracks, and holes in and around doors are the main culprits for the failure of the soundproofing project.
So, what’s the solution?
Weatherstrip (Check the Current Price on Amazon) would be the best solution to most of your soundproofing door problems.
Needless to say, you can easily install weatherstrip on your door even though you’re a first-time buyer.
Green Glue Noise-Proofing Compound
As the name suggests, green glue is a great noise-proofing compound and you can use it for multiple purposes as well.
Another noise-proofing compound that is quite popular among soundproofing enthusiasts is QuietRock.
Green glue enhances the effectiveness of the drywall.
This noise-proofing compound performs really well when you sandwich it between two layers of plywood or drywall.
Green glue exists in a liquid state and you can fill it wherever you want without any hassle.
However, to ensure that every part is covered in the best possible manner I would highly recommend that you should use a caulking gun.
(Check the Current Price On Amazon)
Mass-Loaded Vinyl
As the name suggests, mass-loaded vinyl combats the noise with the help of mass.
Mass-loaded vinyl could be of great help if you’re planning to soundproof your interior doors or thin walls.
Mass-loaded vinyl is comprised mainly of vinyl along with other high-mass compounds.
The only downside of this extremely cheap soundproofing material is that it comes in only one color so you’ll have to use some decorative materials to make it aesthetically appealing.
(Check the Current Price On Amazon)
Mineral Wool/Rockwool Rockboard
Mineral wool is an acoustic insulation product that is known for its rigidness and fire-resistant features.
In recent times, the product has become quite popular among soundproof enthusiasts because of its ability to double up as a thermal insulation solution.
Whether it’s commercial buildings or residential ones this cheap soundproofing material will improve the acoustics of both.
It has an excellent noise-canceling rate which is definitely something to brag about.
Moreover, mineral wool isn’t hard to cut. You can easily cut it into the shape and size of your choice.
(Check the current price on Amazon)
Soundproof Floor Underlayment
Projects that involve soundproofing of the floor will definitely need a soundproof floor underlayment.
A soundproof floor underlayment can be considered as an additional layer to combat noise.
It helps in dealing with echoes and impact noise.
It goes without saying that the floor underlayment is meant to deal with unwanted noise but at the same time, it also comes with additional benefits.
It keeps a check on the growth of mold.
The only downside that the floor underlayment has is its tedious installation process.
To install it, you’ll have to remove the entire flooring and then place the underlayment.
As a soundproof consultant, I’ve completed a good number of projects related to soundproofing floors and you would be astonished to know that in the majority of my projects, I’ve used this floor underlayment (Check the current price on Amazon) because it outcasts even its closest competitor with a huge margin.
Sound Deadening Spray
A sound-deadening spray may not be the product that you’ll be using in every soundproofing project still has its own importance and trust me, some soundproofing projects won’t give you optimum results if you fail to use the spray efficiently.
Whenever I think of the sound deadening spray the first name that comes to my mind is Lizard Spray sound deadener.
Definitely, it has a great reputation in the soundproofing domain because of its ability to combat unwanted noises.
Moreover, this water-based spray is distributed in a 2-gallon bucket.
If you’re a first-time user then you need to be very careful while mixing the spray with water because a lack of the right mix could lead to a solution that isn’t of the right thickness.
As a result, the performance of the product may be hampered.
However, you don’t need to get panic as preparing a lizard skin spray solution won’t take a lot of effort or time.
I’ve written a detailed article on the best automotive sound-deadening spray to help you make an informed buying decision.
Lastly, you need to keep in mind that once you’ve started the process you should complete it and then only start your new job.
Leaving the spraying process in the midway may hamper your performance.
(Check Sound Deadening Spray Price On Amazon)
Dynamat Sound Deadener
If you’re an avid reader of this blog then definitely you would be aware of the importance of Dynamat in the soundproofing industry especially when it comes to soundproofing cars.
I can affirm with full confidence that Dynamat is one of the best automotive sound deadeners available on the market.
The only downside of the Dynamat is its price. If you’re on a shoestring budget then I would suggest you should refrain from installing Dynamat in your car rather than go for NOICO, FatMat, etc.
Unlike other car sound deadeners, Dynamat doesn’t melt at high temperatures nor does it smell foul.
Again, you may face some problems in installing Dynamat if you’re expediting the process for the first time.
However, it goes without saying that Dynamat is a market leader and performs better than its competitors when it comes to combating noise.
(Check the Current Price On Amazon)
Roxul Acoustic Fire Batts
Yet another cheap soundproofing material that you can use for your project.
Acoustics Fire Batts is definitely a multipurpose product that is compacted as 2.5 pounds of mass per cubic foot.
It is uniquely designed with wool that can be installed on different kinds of structures.
Another good thing about this product is that it is water-repelling, fire-retardant, and also safe to use.
In short, I couldn’t find any reason why you shouldn’t try this product.
(Check the current price on Amazon)
Soundproof Blinds
Definitely, soundproof blind adds value to the office and wherever it is used.
However, when it comes to combating noise it is the soundproof blind that does the job.
Soundproof blind performs really well when it is used to cover the windows to enhance the quality of sound inside the room.
It helps in preventing the outside noise from creating any nuisance.
Needless to say, blinds come with some of the best insulation properties.
It is equally important for you to understand that there are different kinds of soundproof blinds such as honeycomb cell shades, window shutters, and insulating blinds.
All the types are good at combating the noise but I’ve to admit that the honeycomb cell shades are the best in tacking the external noise.
All in all, a great product to consider in case you’re looking for a cheap way to tackle noise pollution.
(Check the current price on Amazon)
Soundproofing Window Kit
Well, a soundproofing window kit is a great way to soundproof your window on your own.
If you’re a DIY person then definitely you would enjoy installing the window kit and making your home a peaceful place to live.
DIY projects are definitely fun and exciting but at the same time, you would need to have passion and time to get the best out of a DIY project.
All you need to do is get a soundproofing window kit like this (Check the Current Price on Amazon) and you’re good to go.
Well, the kit that I’m talking about contains self-adhesive magnetic tape and a white L-framing trim.
The kit comes with four pieces of 4-foot-long framing trim.
Just for your information, a window of 4 by 4 feet would be covered easily with a kit.
On the other hand, if you don’t find a window kit suitable for soundproofing your window then definitely you can try acoustic fiberglass.
The process is quite simple and even though you’re a newbie you could easily try this method.
Well, all you need to do is to attach the glass on the window magnetically or you can even fit it into a metal frame and then drill the frame into your window from inside.
The thing that I really like about this method is its cost-effectiveness as well as user-friendliness.
Nonetheless, if you’re a newbie and want to know more about soundproofing windows then definitely I would suggest you read the article on soundproofing windows which explains everything in detail.
Soundproof Paint
There is a lot of confusion about soundproof paints. Some believe that it works while the rest think it is not as useful as it claims to be.
Well, today I’ll share my experience with you about this soundproof paint (Check the Current Price on Amazon) and how it changed my life.
Like many others, I also made the mistake of not properly painting the walls with acoustic paint.
To get the best out of soundproof paint, it is very important that you paint multiple layers on the wall.
Failing to do so can put all your efforts in vain.
Correct me, if I’m wrong.
At the same time, if your expectation from the acoustic paint is too high then definitely, you’re going to get disheartened.
If you’ve applied a single layer of soundproofing paint then definitely, you’re not gonna see any tangible difference.
However, applying a thick coating of at least 3 layers would do the job for you.
Applying paint is quite easy. All you need to do is roll on or spray it on the target structure whichever suits you.
Resilient Channel
Till now what we discussed falls under the cheap soundproofing material category.
However, the resilient channel isn’t a cheap soundproofing material at all.
The resilient channel, a costly soundproofing material, is good at cutting off the transmission of sound from a room.
If you’re NOT aware of the resilient channel then let me tell you, they are nothing but the sheet metal rails designed to improve sound insulation properties of drywall, sheetrock, ceilings, and plasterboard walls.
Do you know why RESILIENT CHANNELS are so effective?
Well, they separate the drywall from the structure of the building making the entire soundproofing process very effective.
You don’t need to worry at all about the installation process.
It goes without saying that the installation process is user-friendly.
So, all you need to do is to install the channel into walls and ceilings.
Afterward, attach the drywall sheet.
Trust me, the results are amazing because the external noise has to first penetrate the channel and then the drywall to enter your room.
In short, a resilient channel provides an additional layer of protection against the external noise.
(Check the current price on Amazon)
Soundproof Drywall
Soundproof drywall is another effective sound-dampening method that is widely used in soundproofing projects.
The reason why drywall is so effective when it comes to combating unwanted noise is the use of mass and density.
It comprises gypsum board sheet layers as well as layers of materials such as steel and ceramics.
Nevertheless, the product is quite expensive and if you’re on a shoestring budget then it’s better to refrain yourself from it.
Anti-Vibration Floor Pads
The anti-vibration floor pads are mostly used for tackling the vibration caused by household appliances such as washing machines, etc.
I’ve written a detailed article on anti-vibration pads to help you make an informed buying decision.
Definitely, the anti-vibration floor pad falls under the category of cheap soundproofing material.
Moreover, they are used with the appliances placed directly on the floor to negate the vibration.
You may not be aware of the fact that anti-vibration floor pads play a crucial role in reducing the vibration of the air compressor.
These anti-vibration floor mats are made of foam rubber and applying these pads is easier than you can even think of.
All you need to do is slide them under the washing machine, air compressor, dishwasher, etc. and the rest will be taken care of by the anti-vibration mats.
(Read customer’s review on Amazon)
Furniture and Household Appliances
Well, the last on our list is the furniture and household appliances.
It is very important for you to understand that this method doesn’t cost you a single penny.
All you need to do is reassemble the furniture and household appliances in an idiosyncratic way so as to dampen the impact of the unwanted noise.
You would be astonished to know that the furniture and other household appliances if arranged in a proper pattern can significantly dampen the unwanted reverb, vibrations, and echoes.
This method is very effective if the walls of your room are thin.
What these furniture and appliances do is they add an additional layer of protection against unwanted noises.
So, what are you waiting for?
FAQs
As promised to my readers, I’ll be answering quite a few questions asked by the readers as well as the clientele of this blog.
In case, you also have any doubts or queries related to cheap soundproofing material then feel free to ask me in the comment section.
What is the cheapest way to soundproof a wall?
Arranging furniture and household appliances in an idiosyncratic way can help you in soundproofing your wall.
In fact, you don’t have to spend a penny rather you need to arrange the furniture against the wall so as to add an additional layer of protection against the external noise.
In case, you’re willing to spend some money then you can install bass traps on the wall as well as hang soundproof curtains and blankets on the wall whichever suits you.
How to soundproof a room from outside noise?
Well, soundproofing a room from outside noise can be done in various ways.
Moreover, you can get rid of the outside noise using temporary or permanent methods.
White noise machines, noise-canceling headphones, and soundproof earplugs are examples of temporary solutions to outside noise.
On the other hand, soundproofing a room with the help of the aforementioned materials is a permanent solution to the outside noise.
It’s A Wrap
I hope you would’ve thoroughly enjoyed every bit of information.
So, which are the materials that you’re planning to choose from the list?
How much are you willing to spend on your soundproofing project?
Trust me, except for a few most of the soundproofing materials mentioned in this post, are budget-friendly, and even though you’re on a shoestring budget you can easily buy them.
Last but not least, share this piece of information with the ones who are in need of it.
After all, sharing is caring.
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