A soundproof room creates the perfect environment for you to relax or even get some work done, especially if you live in a noisy area. But what if one of the rooms in your home is already soundproofed? Is there a way you can tell without tearing down the walls?
You can tell a room is soundproof if it has the following:
- Thick walls
- Acoustic panels
- Double panel windows
- Sealed doors
- Insulation foams
Keep reading for an in-depth analysis of how you can know when a room is soundproof. I’ll go through what’s required to make a room soundproof and even examine the costs involved in soundproofing a room. By the end of this piece, you’ll know all about what’s needed to keep a room silent.
How To Tell if a Room Is Soundproof?
Detecting noise is pretty straightforward; you can use your ears or use an app on your smartphone to measure the decibels. So how can you know if a room is soundproof?
Follow these steps to know if a room is soundproof:
- Measure the background noise level in a room.
- In another room (preferably the next), turn on a loud sound source.
- Measure the noise levels in the first room again.
- Compare results.
You can measure sounds using an app on your phone or a decibel meter. The loudness or sound intensity of a place is measured in decibels or DB.
Measuring the background noise level allows you to gain a base number for the soundproofing check. Typically background noise is roughly 60 DB in urban areas and 45db in suburban areas. A soundproofed room should offer a lower reading from the offset in most cases.
You can use a loudspeaker on total volume, power tools, or even a blender as your source of sound. For best results, use a variety of sources so you can learn if the room is soundproof against various frequency sounds.
Once you’ve gathered your second decibel reading with the loud noise source switched on, you can compare it with the first measurement you took. For more accurate results, take a few recordings with different sources of sounds at various frequencies.
If there is a significant difference between the two-decibel measurements, the room is not soundproof. However, if there is little to no difference between measurements, then the room is soundproof.
What Makes a Room Soundproof?
By this stage, you know what to check to tell if a room is soundproof and how you can measure the soundproofing in a room. However, I’ve yet to discuss what makes a room soundproof.
Effective sound insulation is what makes a room soundproof. Some materials absorb sound waves and vibrations and do not let them pass through. Installing such materials in a room will prevent any sound from entering or leaving, making the room soundproof.
The most common material used for soundproofing is acoustic paneling. Acoustic panels are made from timber with layers of acoustic foam attached to absorb sounds. Insulation foam is often used to seal between acoustic panels and improve soundproofing.
It’s worth noting that the type of material you use determines the overall quality of soundproofing. For best outcomes, it’s advisable to invest in top-notch sound insulation products.
Can a Room Be Soundproof 100%?
A room can be soundproofed 100%. You can soundproof a room entirely by using acoustic sound panels that absorb sounds. You’ll also need to locate the source of sounds and the entry and reflection points in the room. Insulation foam and seals on the door frame are also required.
To soundproof a room, acoustic panels will need to be installed on the walls and ceiling. You’ll also need to hire an expert to find the entry (and reflection points) of sound, as these places will need additional sealing or insulation to ensure no noise gets through.
The level of soundproofing that you achieve in a room will depend on the quality of the soundproofing materials and the finish.
If you do a DIY soundproofing job, it’s doubtful that you will achieve 100% soundproofing. However, with the proper knowledge and materials, it’s possible to achieve complete soundproofing.
0 DB is the lowest volume sound a human ear can typically hear. However, some rooms have been designed to offer negative decibel soundproofing. As a result, they are entirely silent, even to many noises quieter than anyone could ever hear.
How Much Does Soundproofing a Room Cost?
You may be interested in soundproofing a room in your home, or you may have a soundproof room, and you’re wondering how much this could add to your property’s overall value. Whatever the reason, you likely want to know how much a soundproof room costs.
Soundproofing a room costs between $1,000 and $3,000 in most cases. The exact cost of soundproofing a room will depend on where you live, the quality of the soundproofing, and the size of the room. The materials used to construct the room may also influence the overall cost.
Another factor that influences the cost of soundproofing a space is the room’s purpose. If you plan on soundproofing a room so you have a quiet space to work or study, you can choose cheaper materials and save a few hundred dollars.
However, if you plan on using the room to record music, podcasts, or anything else, you may want to pay extra to ensure you have an entirely soundproof space. High-quality soundproofing for a medium-sized room will typically cost close to $4000.
Final Thoughts
The easiest way to tell if a room is soundproof is by checking for tell-tale features like acoustic panels, thick walls, and double panel windows. You can also experiment using an app on your phone or a decibel meter to measure noise levels to know how soundproof your room is.
It’s possible to entirely soundproof a room, provided the right equipment and materials are used.
However, high-quality soundproofing is expensive and will likely cost you thousands of dollars. Although for typical soundproofing, you can pay as little as $1000 depending on where you reside.