Hey everyone! My apartment complex just kicked off a massive 7-month construction project, and the constant sound of drilling into the concrete beams below is driving me—and my poor cats—crazy! It's around 65-70 dB all day long, and I'd love to create a quieter space for them. I was thinking about soundproofing one of my closets but I'm not really sure if that's feasible since the noise seems to be seeping through the building structure. Plus, I'm renting so I can't make any permanent changes to the walls. Any tips or ideas would really help!
3 Answers
I've had some success using thick memory foam mattress toppers to cut down noise and vibrations. They're pretty affordable, especially during clearance sales. You could use a queen or king size to fit your closet snugly and help buffer that sound!
Adding mass to the closet walls can really help with noise reduction. If your closet doesn't have windows, that's even better! You might consider options like mass-loaded vinyl (MLV), but it's costly and kind of heavy. An easier route could be using moving blankets. They’re thick and designed to protect furniture during moves. You can hang them up with wall hooks, and maybe use one inside the door too. Just keep in mind to check air flow—putting a blanket at the bottom of the door might muffle noise but could restrict fresh air. You could also think about weatherstripping the closet doorframe!
If you’re opening up the wall to the studs, then rockwool with a layer of 5/8 inch sheetrock can be very effective. Trust me, I know my stuff from years on the job! Just ensure everything is secure so your cats stay safe.
Just a heads-up though, if you're considering insulation like rockwool or fiberglass, be careful with your cats. They might get into it and that could cause issues!