Sound can be reduced in several ways
Loud music, outside construction, laundry machines and all the other audible annoyances of modern life can have an impact on your moods and daily routines. Many walls have little to no soundproofing and let most of the noise straight through. You can take DIY steps to blocking the majority of that noise and reduce the stress in your life. Learn about soundproof a room in your existing home in order to block out major unwanted noises.
Instructions
1. Apply drywall to the walls in the room that you wish to soundproof. Apply a thick bead of silicone caulking to all the stud surfaces. Liberally apply the caulk. Attach the drywall with screws, as they work better than nails because they result in fewer holes. Follow the same procedure and apply a second layer of drywall. A second layer is easily completed once the first layer is attached and will further help with noise reduction. Though having this amount of drywall layers may seem unusual, it will only further cut down on noise.
2. Soundproof the ceiling of the room by installing resilient channels. Resilient channels are steel applications in the shape of a "Z" that can help stop the transfer of sound through a wall or to stop general vibrations. These are especially helpful if the room you are soundproofing has an attic and you want to get rid of the noise of footsteps above you. Consider Mass loaded vinyl (MLV) as another option. MLV can be purchased at any major hardware store. Apply the MLV to the ceiling using glue or a staple gun, then cover it with drywall. Paint the drywall after it is applied.
3. Fill the wall cavities in the room with spray-on cellulose. Cellulose is good for insulating and reducing noise. Seal all holes, like electrical plugs, pipes exiting the walls, or any holes in the wall. Cellulose is more expensive than simply using insulation materials, but far more effective.
4. Consider one of several options for your windows, if the room has windows. Glass transfers noise and no easy solution is available. Look into wall plugs, which are thick, custom-constructed "plugs" that fit into your window. Know that they will block the light along with the noise. Nail some drywall over the window for a quick and easy temporary solution if you aren't concerned about looks. Insure that there is a good seal with any window covering, as a proper seal is the only way that any realistic noise reduction will be accomplished.
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