Here is a list of the 10 best soundproofing materials and products you could buy to successfully reduce noise in your home.
1. Acoustical Fire Batts Mineral Wool
This AFB mineral wool is made from natural stone and slag and, as such, it is lightweight and semi-rigid. It has been designed specifically for interior use; it is mostly used on floors and walls. Being lightweight and non-combustible, it has amazing acoustical dampening properties. Furthermore, it is safe, as it provides fire protection, and it is also waterproof.
Acoustical fire batts mineral wool has a density of 2.5 pounds per cubic foot. While there are higher densities that absorb slightly better, they are much more expensive. You won’t go wrong with 2.5 pcf; it is the most cost-effective density for absorbing sound.
If you decide to do a DIY project with this product, be careful. It can cause skin, respiratory, and eye irritation. You should avoid any contact with skin or eyes as well as breathing in fiberglass dust. Also, wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing, gloves, and eye protection.
2. Green Glue Noiseproofing Sealant
Green Glue sealant is currently the most effective and affordable soundproofing product on the market. In addition, it is extremely easy to use. You can use it on any floor, ceiling, or wall to reduce sound transfer; simply add another layer. It takes a couple of minutes to apply it, and it will be completely dry in 48 hours.
You can reduce noise transmission by 100 times or more with Green Glue; it is one of the best soundproofing products. Moreover, it reduces both airborne and impact noise. It comes in 28-ounce tubes that fit into quart-sized caulking guns. It is easy to use and clean; all you need is some soap and water. You can also paint over it once it dries.
3. Quiet Glue Sealant
QuietGlue Pro is very affordable and easy to use; also, it works its magic. One to two layers of this glue between two layers of drywall or another similar building material eliminates up to 90% of noise. It is also great for cutting out low-frequency noise.
All you have to do is cut the drywall, apply the glue with a standard quart-sized caulking gun in preferably two layers, and screw the panels into an existing wall. It is as simple as that. Another great thing about the QuietGlue is that you can use it both on existing walls and during new constructions.
4. Mass-Loaded Vinyl Acoustic Barrier
This high-quality mass-loaded vinyl barrier is perfect for your home, car, studio, as well as for medical facilities, classrooms, etc. It blocks sounds between walls, ceilings, floors, machinery, pipes, cars, and more. It is manufactured in the USA, and it is highly dense, flexible, and odorless.
If you need a flexible sound barrier, mass-loaded vinyl is perfect for filling gaps, as well as for wrapping pipes, ducts, and metal columns. If you, however, need to soundproof walls, floors, and ceilings, there are cheaper alternatives.
5. Acoustic Foam Panels
Acoustic foam panels effectively eliminate flutter and sound waves; they are 1 to 3-inch thick with the height and length of one foot. When compared to thinner panels, they provide better soundproofing over large areas. Also, the wedge design helps stop airborne noise and prevents echo.
If you are a musician, or you have a loud hobby, these panels are ideal for you. They are perfect for radio stations, production studios, home entertainment centers, and practice rooms. You can expect moderate sound deadening. If you are looking for absolute deadening, you will need something more powerful.
Panels such as these are easy to install and can be used on walls, ceilings, windows, doors, etc.
6. Soundproof Curtains
Soundproof, blackout curtains by Residential Acoustics are 100% duck cotton canvas made in the USA. These sound blocking curtains work really well and can reduce incoming noise from 70% up to 90%; they are the only sound blocking curtains that have an STC rating of 29. Instead of simply absorbing sound waves, these curtains actually divert sound waves as well.
Installation is quick and simple; all hardware is included in the package. Furthermore, these curtains won’t leave a mess when you remove them. They are perfect for any living space: your bedroom, nursery, campus housing, home office, etc. Another big plus is that they provide thermal insulation; your home will be warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
7. Resilient Sound Channels
You usually attach drywall to studs or joists; however, this hardware for decoupling is a specially bent, solid metal device designed for hanging drywall. By doing that, it creates a 1/2” air pocket between layers. You can hang these channels even on your ceiling. Since they are 8’ long, the can be delivered to you, unlike many other soundproofing materials that are too big to be shipped.
You should install them horizontally at the top and bottom of your wall, and put one every 2’ or less in between. Proper installation is very important, so avoid DIY projects if you aren’t skillful enough.
Also, even though decoupling is very effective, it can actually increase the transmission of low-frequency noise by creating a new resonance chamber.
8. Soundproofing Window Kit
You can easily make some adjustments to your windows in order to stop any noise from coming through them. This magnet seal soundproofing window kit of magnetic tape and L-framing trim is easy to install, easy to remove, and easy to clean. If you own a screwdriver and you know how to use it, you will install this kit without hassle.
Soundproof windows work very well; in addition, they can save you both time and money. If, however, you have windows larger than 4×4, this kit will not be suitable. In that case, you would have to contact the manufacturer and try to order a bigger size. Keep in mind that the 1/4” acrylic sheet that you’ll need to cover the window opening isn’t included in the package.
9. Door Seals & Sweeps
Maybe you aren’t aware of this, but your doors can be a major source of noise. Soundproofing them is an effective way to block sound coming in and out your home. Door seals work by reducing the air and sound transferred through an entrance. How do they do this? It’s simple – by lining the outer edge of doors with silicone and aluminum.
Door sweeps use aluminum as well; you should, however, install them at the bottom of your doors to block air and sound from escaping the room. You can use door seals and sweeps separately, but they provide best results when used together.
Basic tools are everything you’ll need to install door seals and sweeps. If you are mainly looking for ways to keep sound inside your room, they are perfect for that.
10. Flooring Underlayments
Flooring underlayments are particularly great because they treat both airborne and impact noise. These underlayment rolls can be used on natural stone, hardwood floors, laminate, LVT, engineered wood, genuine wood, and tiles. If your floor doesn’t fall into this category, there are other options; there are various types of underlayments, suitable for all types of home flooring.
You can attach this underlayment with a polyurethane adhesive, double-sided tape, staples, or nails. It will absorb sound more effectively than 12mm foam and 12mm cork. Also, it’s good for the environment; it is made from more than 80% recycled material.
Have You Found the Right Soundproofing Material?
Soundproofing your room can be overwhelming, especially if you are just learning about it. Nevertheless, it is a topic worth exploring, since the results can be a real life-saver.
We hope that you’ve gained an understanding of soundproofing materials, as well as how they work. With the market being as big as it is, you will surely be able to find the best soundproofing material for yourself or the best combination of two or more materials.
