How Much Does It Cost to Soundproof a Room?

Highlights

• The cost to soundproof a room ranges between $1,036 and $2,721, with a national average cost of $1,874.
• There are several factors that can influence the final cost, including the size and type of room, the area being soundproofed, and the type of soundproofing used.
• The benefits of soundproofing a room include increased privacy, better health and quality of life, and potentially an increase in home value.
• Homeowners may be able to complete some basic soundproofing tasks themselves, but projects that include removing drywall or installing insulation are better handled by a professional.

Loud sounds can easily disrupt the peace in a household, especially if someone is working from home in one room and someone is blasting a movie in another. Soundproofing may just be the answer to keeping the peace.

Homeowners may choose to soundproof a bedroom to sleep better or a home office to maintain concentration. Soundproofing methods aim to block airborne and impact-related noises from penetrating walls, floors, and ceilings. The more soundproofing methods used in a room or throughout a home, the more effective the noise-blocking will be.

How much does it cost to soundproof a room? According to HomeAdvisor and Angi, room soundproofing ranges from $1,036 to $2,721, with $1,874 as the national average cost. This cost guide details all the factors that affect soundproofing costs, the benefits of soundproofing a room, and how to hire a soundproofing specialist.

Factors in Calculating the Cost to Soundproof a Room

There are plenty of factors that contribute to the cost of soundproofing a room. The cost varies depending on the size of the room, the room type, and the soundproofing material used, in addition to other aspects. Each of these soundproofing cost factors and the cost range homeowners can expect to pay is detailed below.

Room Size

The cost of soundproofing can run anywhere from $10 to $30 per square foot, so the larger a room is in size, the more the soundproofing will cost. The increased square footage will require more soundproofing materials and more labor for installation. Soundproofing costs based on square footage will vary a bit depending on if the soundproofing is for new construction or an existing home. Soundproofing a room in an existing home costs $10 to $30 per square foot, while new-construction soundproofing costs $12 to $25 per square foot. Installing soundproofing is less invasive for new construction and therefore slightly less costly because the walls and floors have not yet been constructed. In existing construction, it’s possible that drywall will need to be removed so insulation for soundproofing can be installed.

Room Type

There are a few common rooms in a home that homeowners typically want to soundproof, from bedrooms to home theaters to gyms. Bedroom soundproof walls offer a more peaceful sleep and cost $1,300 to $6,000. This room type likely requires soundproofing walls, windows, and doors. Soundproofing a home office for better concentration results in a similar cost. The cost to soundproof a garage runs from $1,900 to $14,400. Garages are not often insulated and therefore require more effort and money to soundproof. Soundproofing a home gym costs $1,500 to $7,500—floor insulation and acoustic panels are typical soundproofing methods used in this type of room. Soundproofing a home theater costs from $1,200 to $10,000, since multiple soundproofing methods will be necessary to dampen the sound of the loudspeaker system.

Soundproofing Area

Within a room, there are five areas that can be soundproofed: floor, walls, ceiling, windows, and doors. Soundproofing methods and materials vary for each of these areas. Some materials will work for multiple areas, such as soundproof drywall that can be installed on both walls and ceilings or sound-dampening curtains that can be installed on both windows and doors. Generally, the cost to soundproof various elements of a room is as follows.

Further details on the costs to soundproof these types of soundproofing areas are found below.

Material Type

Dense materials that absorb sound are used for soundproofing and come in a variety of forms. Common soundproofing materials include:

• Foam insulation: $1 to $3 per square foot; used inside walls and sometimes floors and ceilings
• Textured acoustic panels: $2 to $5 per square foot; attached to walls
• Mass-loaded vinyl: $2.50 to $5 per square foot; used between layers of drywall
• Acoustic tiles: $5 per 4-inch square; often used on ceilings
• Soundproof drywall: $40 to $60 per panel; used in place of standard drywall and has a similar effect as installing two or three layers of standard drywall
• Soundproof paint: $2 to $4 per square foot; used on any painted surface
• Sound-dampening curtains: $15 to $100 per panel; can be used on doors or windows

Project Complexity

Soundproofing projects can be fairly simple or extremely complex depending on many factors. Two main factors are the accessibility of the soundproofing area and the number of soundproofing methods being used. Additionally, the need to haul away excess demolished materials or apply for certain permits and certifications can add to the complexity of a project. A soundproofing professional will take all of these factors into consideration when pricing a project; the more complex a project, the more a homeowner can expect to pay.

Labor

When hiring a company to install soundproofing, homeowners can choose from a professional soundproofing specialist or a general contractor. It costs around $75 to $200 per hour for a specialist and $50 to $150 per hour for a general contractor. General contractors can complete most of the work a soundproofing specialist can with the exception of installing some unique soundproofing systems. Homeowners who plan on using insulation for soundproofing can directly hire one of the best insulation contractors, who will likely charge between $40 and $80 per hour.

Additional Costs and Considerations

In addition to the cost factors detailed above, there are a few more that will apply in certain situations. Homeowners will want to consider their own soundproofing project and whether any of the following factors may play a role in determining how much it costs to soundproof a room.

House vs. Condo

Condo owners have an advantage when it comes to soundproofing. In most cases, soundproofing measures are already installed when a condo building is constructed. Extra insulation is placed in walls, and sometimes drywall is doubled up so there is minimal noise shared between the units. With all of this soundproofing already installed, it only costs $1 to $3 per square foot to install additional sound insulation in a condo. It costs much more to soundproof a house—between $10 and $30 per square foot. Soundproofing an entire 2,000-square-foot home costs $20,000 to $40,000.

Existing Room vs. New Construction

Installing soundproofing can be an invasive process, meaning walls must be torn apart in order to do so. Placing insulation in the walls of an existing room requires taking down the existing drywall, placing the insulation, and putting new drywall back up. This process is much more costly when compared to the cost of installing insulation in new construction. In a new-construction build, the insulation can be added as part of the building process, and no extra work is required. For this reason, the insulation cost to soundproof a new-construction room will usually be higher than the cost to insulate and soundproof an existing room.

Existing Material Removal

Homeowners may need to plan for the cost of removing existing material if the soundproofing project requires taking down existing walls or ceilings. On average, it costs $100 to $800 to haul away construction debris from a project site. Not every soundproofing project will require removing existing material; installing acoustic tiles or panels often does not.

Structural Modifications

In the process of installing soundproofing, certain projects may require structural modifications to a home. Installing a soundproof door may require new structural framing. Adding insulation to structural walls could require structural changes. While these types of structural modifications are rare when soundproofing a home, homeowners will want to make sure they discuss the possibility with their contractor so they can plan for the associated costs.

Chimney Soundproofing

Some homeowners may wish to soundproof their chimneys. This prevents noises from the fireplace crackling or popping from moving throughout the house. Additionally, sounds from outside can sometimes enter through a chimney. Soundproofing a chimney costs $35 to $600. It can be done by adding a flue blocker (which sits just above the firebox inside the chimney and prevents heat loss as well as blocking exterior noise), installing a chimney cap (which sits on top of the chimney and prevents elements and sounds from entering), or placing a chimney balloon (which is inflated inside the chimney and reduces heat loss while also dampening noise). An added benefit of these chimney soundproofing methods is they are likely to improve a home’s energy efficiency.

Types of Soundproofing

To completely soundproof room spaces, every part of the room should have a certain type of soundproofing method installed. Below are the various types of soundproofing available for each part of a room, from windows and doors to walls and ceilings. Can you soundproof a room completely? Using the best soundproofing materials and working with a professional will provide the most effective noise-dampening outcome.

Windows

Soundproofing a window costs anywhere from $15 to $1,500, with limited soundproofing options costing less than highly effective soundproofing options. For example, a window can be simply caulked or sealed around the edges for a soundproofing effect—this costs $20 to $100 per window. Meanwhile, a window with soundproof glass costs between $500 and $1,500. Other ways to soundproof a window include installing some of the best soundproof curtains for $15 to $100 per panel or a window insert for $250 to $500.

Door

There are several ways to soundproof a door, including paint, sealants, and panels. A door can be painted with soundproof paint that absorbs noise at a cost of $2 to $4 per square foot. Sound-dampening curtains can be placed in front of a door to reduce noise and cost $15 to $100 per panel. It is important that the door itself is solid and properly sealed; door sealant costs $40 to $100, and a new soundproof threshold at the base of the door costs $30 to $100. Hollow-core doors can be replaced with solid-core doors for effective soundproofing; installing a new solid-core door costs anywhere from $500 to $1,600. Other types of doors are available in soundproof versions—soundproof sliding doors cost between $1,000 and $4,000. If additional soundproofing is necessary, acoustic panels can be installed on a door for $100 to $300 per door.

Floor

While a new home or addition is being built, soundproofing measures can be installed within the floor structure, typically as an underlayment. Homeowners can choose from soundproofing floor mats for $1 to $3 per square foot or soundproofing floor underlayment for $0.20 to $0.50 per square foot. Soundproof underlayment is often the cheapest way to soundproof a room. To soundproof an existing floor, homeowners may consider installing carpeting. At a cost between $4 and $11 per square foot, carpeting dampens noise—the thicker the carpet, the better.

Walls

There are plenty of ways to soundproof a wall, whether by putting insulation inside the wall or adding a layer outside the wall. Insulation must be added while a wall is being constructed; otherwise, the drywall will need to be removed and replaced. Types of insulation that soundproof a wall and their costs are as follows:

Insulation can be placed between layers of drywall for soundproofing, which is easier to accomplish during the process of building a new home.

To soundproof already-built walls, homeowners can consider the following options:

Additionally, homeowners can choose to install soundproof drywall or double up drywall for a soundproofing effect. Homeowners can expect to pay $40 to $60 per panel for soundproof drywall cost. A contractor will make sure any cracks in the drywall are sealed to keep noises out—the cost for drywall crack sealant runs $100 to $350 per wall.

Ceiling

Products that soundproof walls can also soundproof ceilings. Homeowners can expect to pay $1 to $3 per square foot for foam insulation costs and $2 to $5 per square foot for acoustic panels. They can also attach a soundproof blanket to a ceiling for soundproofing effects at a cost of $300 to $450 per blanket. Additionally, double- or triple-layering ceiling drywall can help with soundproofing and costs $40 to $60 per sheet.

Benefits of Soundproofing a Room

Beside the obvious benefit of reducing noise in a room, soundproofing has plenty of other benefits. From improving health to increasing home value, below are several reasons homeowners may want to consider soundproofing a room (or two) in their home.

Increased Privacy

A soundproofed room offers more privacy for those inside. This can be helpful for families with children or multigenerational homes. Soundproofing bedrooms allows people to wake up at different times with an alarm clock without disturbing anyone else or to have private conversations behind closed doors.

Better Health

Prolonged exposure to sounds has actually been attributed to some negative health conditions, such as high blood pressure, strokes, and other heart diseases. It is important for the body to get rest and relaxation away from nonstop day-to-day noises. Relaxing in a soundproofed room can actually have a positive impact on residents’ health.

Reduced Hearing Problems

Regular exposure to high sound levels can cause hearing problems over a lifetime. If a house has loud sounds from outside or even from the occupants inside, soundproofing can reduce this hearing-problem risk. Soundproofing can also help with sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, and just plain annoyance from noises.

Enhanced Quality of Life

Soundproofing can improve quality of life depending on the specific room. Sleeping in a soundproofed bedroom will likely improve a resident’s sleep quality. A home office with soundproofing measures can improve concentration and productivity. Additionally, soundproofing offers privacy and seclusion for members of a household, which can often keep the peace.

Added Comfort

A soundproofed home is a comfortable home. Soundproofing allows a person to watch a loud movie in one room while someone else studies in another room and a third person sleeps in a different room. Each of these individuals will be comfortable and content in their home without having to deal with conflicting noises.

Increased Home Value

Soundproofing a home could lead to an increased home value when the owner goes to sell it. Some buyers will find soundproofing a valuable feature and will be willing to pay more for it. This is especially true if the home is located in an area with many noises outside from traffic, planes, or pedestrians. The soundproofing will allow the new residents to live more comfortably inside.

Soundproofing a Room: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional 

Whether or not a homeowner attempts to DIY a soundproofing project ultimately depends on the complexity. Some homeowners can handle installing some acoustic tiles on the walls, painting a wall with soundproof paint, or hanging sound-dampening curtains. When the project is a bit more complex than that, it is generally recommended that homeowners leave the job to the professionals.

More-invasive soundproofing projects require removing and replacing drywall. This is a difficult task for most because if done incorrectly, it will not give a clean and polished look. The walls will also have pipes and electrical running through them that need to be avoided for safety reasons, and a professional knows just how to find and avoid these obstacles.

Additionally, installing insulation or mass-loaded vinyl requires professional skills. If these products are installed incorrectly, a room may not be properly soundproofed at the end of the project, wasting time and money. A soundproofing specialist or general contractor will know how much insulation needs to be installed and where it needs to be placed so that the project is a success.

How to Save Money on the Cost to Soundproof a Room

Soundproofing a room can be expensive, especially if multiple soundproofing methods are used. Below are a few ways to save money on a soundproofing project by properly planning or getting your own hands dirty.

• Get at least three quotes for the project. By obtaining pricing estimates from at least three different companies, you can compare services and choose the best-value option. Do not necessarily choose the cheapest option—weigh all factors in your decision from price to customer service to client reviews.
• Choose less-expensive soundproofing materials. If you are on a tight budget for your soundproofing project, opt for cheaper materials. Work with your contractor to choose the least-expensive insulation material or acoustic tiles.
• Consider soundproofing before your house is built. It is always cheaper to install soundproofing while a house is being built rather than in an already-built house. To avoid having to remove drywall and reinstall it, consider soundproofing during the process of building a new house or addition.

Questions to Ask About Soundproofing a Room

Before hiring a professional to install soundproofing in a room, homeowners will want to be sure they fully vet the company. There will be plenty of companies out there that offer soundproofing services, but the quality of service will vary drastically. Homeowners can ask each company the following questions to be confident in their hiring decision.

• Do you offer free estimates?
• Will you provide a written quote and contract?
• Are you licensed and insured to complete this type of work?
• How long have you been in business?
• What kind of training do you offer for your employees?
• Will the work be completed by an employee of your business, or by a subcontractor?
• Can you provide references from similar projects?
• What soundproofing materials do you recommend?
• Will any existing parts of my home need to be demolished and rebuilt to install the soundproofing?
• How long will the soundproofing project take?
• Do you require a down payment, and if so, how much?
• What is the payment schedule, and do you offer payment plans?
• Do you offer a warranty on your work?
• How soon can you schedule the work?
• How can I get in touch with you while the project is in progress?
• Do you take care of cleanup after the project is complete?
• How will you protect my home from damage during the project?
• How do you handle disputes or disagreements?

FAQs

There is a lot to know about soundproofing a home, and most homeowners are unfamiliar with the process and the materials available. Below is a list of frequently asked questions about soundproofing that may answer some questions homeowners didn’t even know they had.

Q. Can I use egg cartons to soundproof a room?

Some people may have heard that they can use egg cartons for a cost-effective soundproofing solution. Unfortunately, this will not make much of a difference. The sound waves are unaffected by the thin cardboard containers. Not to mention, a room with egg cartons hung from the walls and ceilings is not the most sightly.

Q. How much soundproofing do I need for my room?

The amount of soundproofing a room requires depends on the level of noise the homeowner wishes to remove. If they want to make a room just slightly quieter, soundproof curtains or paint will do the trick. To completely soundproof a room and remove all exterior noise, a homeowner will need a combination of insulation and acoustic tiles.

Q. How can I soundproof an existing wall?

Homeowners can soundproof an existing wall by adding layers to the drywall surface, like soundproof paint or acoustic tiles. This may not be enough to keep out loud noises, however, so the homeowner may need to remove the existing drywall, install insulation or mass-loaded vinyl sheets, then install new drywall. While this is a more invasive process, it is a much more effective soundproofing solution.

Q. Does it cost more to soundproof via retrofit instead of new construction?

It will cost slightly more to soundproof via retrofit compared to new construction. Any soundproofing project that requires installing insulation inside of the wall will be more costly to do after the wall is already built. Ideally, soundproofing insulation or vinyl sheets will be installed while a new home or addition is being built.

Q. Are soundproof walls expensive?

Soundproof walls are not necessarily expensive. A homeowner will likely spend between $100 and $400 per wall, depending on the soundproofing materials used. This cost is usually worth it for the improved quality of sleep or comfort that soundproofing brings to a home.

Q. Does soundproofing actually work?

Soundproofing does actually work. It is important for a homeowner to fully assess the sounds they want to block from a room and install the proper soundproofing materials for soundproofing to be effective. Homeowners are encouraged to work with a soundproofing expert to assess their project and determine a sufficient solution.

Sources: Angi (1 and 2), HomeAdvisor, Fixr

 

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