Hey everyone! I'm about to move into a place in the Marina district of San Francisco, and while I really like the apartment, I'm recovering from a concussion and I need my sleep to be top-notch (8+ hours a night!). I'm a super light sleeper, and I noticed a major problem during my showing: I could easily hear full conversations through the shared wall with the adjacent bedroom. It was really close to no insulation at all.
The shared wall is about 10 feet wide, and the other two walls are pretty quiet as they face a garden and street. The last wall connects to a bathroom, so I don't expect much noise from there. The roommate in the adjacent bedroom seems relatively quiet since he's a friend of the leaseholder.
I'm willing to invest between $500 and $1,000 (possibly more if it guarantees a good night's sleep). I have a handy friend who can help with the installation. I can't just rely on white noise—I need something that truly blocks out voices. The landlord isn't planning on doing any major construction, but they might approve some semi-permanent changes.
I've been researching options like mass loaded vinyl (MLV), double drywall with Green Glue, and acoustic panels, but I really need to know: what solutions actually work for blocking out voices that loud? Is there a renter-friendly fix that's strong enough? What would you do in my situation if sleep was absolutely non-negotiable? Any recommendations for materials, installation guides, or vendors would be super appreciated!
3 Answers
I totally get the struggle with soundproofing in SF. The walls there can feel like paper sometimes! I’d recommend going for double drywall with Green Glue or using mass loaded vinyl (MLV). Don’t forget to seal any gaps around outlets and doors, too. If you go full wall, you’ll definitely get the best results, and you can stay under $1k if you DIY it. When it comes to sleep, it’s worth the investment!
It sounds a bit ghetto, but hanging thick blankets on the wall can do a surprisingly good job at blocking noise! Also, if your landlord is okay with it, you might consider doing some DIY blown-in insulation. You just drill small holes at the top of each stud cavity, blow in insulation with a rental machine, and patch up those holes. A lot of interior walls don’t even come with insulation, so it could make a difference!
I’m a really light sleeper as well, and I’ve traveled through loads of noisy places. Using earplugs and an excellent white noise machine (the kind that can crank up the sound, not just a phone app) really changed my life. You won’t hear your neighbors unless they start banging on the wall! You might want to try Mack's Silicone Ear Plugs—super comfy!
That’s a fair concern, but as long as you clean them regularly and give your ears a break sometimes, they should be fine!
But isn’t there a risk that earplugs could cause tinnitus if you wear them too much?