I've been working night shifts from Sunday to Thursday and I own my home. Unfortunately, my neighbor runs power tools in his yard every Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM, which makes it really tough for me to get the sleep I need during the day. Attempts to talk to him have not been helpful, so I'm looking for ways to soundproof my bedroom walls effectively. I've come across various products, but I have no idea which ones are actually effective. I'm even considering building a secondary wall and adding insulation but I'm unsure if it's worth the effort. Any advice, especially for someone with minimal knowledge on this topic, would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
If you're short on cash, try heavy drapes over your windows to help with sound absorption. Also, make sure your windows are fully closed and locked for the best results. If you're really serious about soundproofing, consider solutions like rockwool insulation, offset studs, and installing heavy-duty windows.
I faced a similar issue. On noisy days, I used a spare room with acoustic panels and blackout curtains, which worked wonders! If you can, try repositioning yourself to a quieter room to catch some Z's. You can also look into local contractors for soundproofing, talk to those who do home theaters for advice.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll check out local contractors for soundproofing options.
If you're willing to invest a bit more, I suggest adding a couple of layers of drywall and some soundproof insulation between them. An easy tip is to spread a silicone layer on your current wall before attaching the new drywall. This can help dampen the sound transfer. Just keep in mind that the most effective method is to fully remove the drywall and install sound attenuating insulation, then reapply drywall.
Should I put the new insulation on top of the existing one, or should I remove everything? I'm a bit lost on that.
Your windows might be the main culprit for noise! A makeshift solution could be using thick cardboard cut to size with acoustic tiles glued on. It doesn’t have to look pretty, just functional! If you’re up for it, you might even hinge it to have daylight occasionally.
That’s actually a really clever idea! I'll try that while I figure out something more permanent.
A white noise machine could be a quick fix! Just crank up the volume and let it mask some of the noise. You could also try earplugs alongside it for extra help.
Sounds like a solid plan! Do you have any specific brands for white noise machines that you recommend?
I’ve got some funds to work with, so I'll look into those heavier solutions. Thanks for the heads up!