With appropriate sound insulation, you'll be able to hold worry-free jam sessions.
Your garage or empty storage room may be a convenient place to hold band practice, but the neighbors can quickly tire of the noise that escapes from your home. While most homes are equipped with enough insulation material to keep the interior warm, it does little to prevent noise from leaking out of the residence. There are a variety of affordable and economical sound insulation materials available to help keep the noise down.
Mass Loaded Vinyl
Between the shared walls of apartment complexes and college dormitories across the nation are large sheets of Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV). As the name suggests, MLV is composed of very densely piled vinyl fibers. MLV tends to thin, making it ideal for use in instances where space is an issue, such as between very thin walls. The density of MLV is what keeps the sound out, or in, as the case may be; however, this density also means a lot of heavy lifting during installation -- an average portion of the material can weigh up to two pounds per square foot.
Spray-In Insulation
Instead of cramming the cavities between your walls with dangerous fiberglass insulation in an attempt to harbor noise, take a look at spray-in insulation. There are two common types, both of which require professional installation: closed-cell foam and cellulose insulation. Closed-cell foam is sprayed directly against the inside of a wall and forms a tight seal between any open gaps or crevices. It provides exceptional sound and temperature insulation, but tends to be expensive. Cellulose insulation -- more affordable than the former material -- consists of recycled newspaper pulp that has been treated with flame retardant. As it is damp when sprayed, mesh netting or chicken wire may be installed to hold it in place.
Lead-Lined Sheetrock
A sheet of 1/8-inch #2 (two pounds per square foot) lead is affixed to one side of standard drywall to form a very effective insulation material. This option suits homes that are still under construction or undergoing extensive renovation, as it requires the replacement of a wall's drywall. For optimal sound insulation, the lead side of the drywall should be facing the studs when installed. This material can quickly become costly, as each piece of treated drywall can cost between $125-250 as of 2011. If permanent sound insulation is a priority to you, lead-lined drywall may be a practical investment.
Acoustic Foam
This dense "egg crate"-styled foam is commonly used to line the walls of recording studios and vocal booths, and is a very inexpensive way to insulate sound. As a bonus, it is also highly resistant to flame. Acoustic foam can be purchased in bulk rolls or large panels and cut to size using a simple utility knife or heavy-duty scissors. Although it can be wedged in interior cavities, it can also be mounted directly onto the face of a wall for noticeable results. Mounting is hassle-free and requires only a hammer and tack nails or a staple gun. For total coverage, panels can also be mounted on the ceiling or laid across the floor.
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