What is Soundproofing and How Does it Work?

Soundproofing refers to the act of blocking noise, either from entering or exiting a space. To block noise, you need to add density that prevents sound from being able to pass through a material (such as a wall or door).

"What is soundproofing?"

To get a comprehensive understanding of how soundproofing works, you first need to gain insight into how sound itself behaves and how it’s created.

How Sound Works

Sound is a collection of vibrations that travel through the air in waves (sound waves). These sound waves eventually arrive at your ear, then vibrate the ear drum. Your brain translates these vibrations into sound, allowing you to perceive sounds as you know them.

Are Soundproofing and Acoustic Treatments the Same thing?

No, acoustic and soundproofing treatments are not the same. Acoustic solutions such as panels or rafts work to improve the sound quality within the space they’re installed into, whereas soundproofing solutions aim to block sound from transferring between two environments.

How Do I Know if I Need Acoustic Treatment or Soundproofing?

Knowing if you need acoustic treatment or soundproofing solutions is simple – do you want to block sound from another room, or do you want to improve the sound quality within the room you’re in?

If your main goal is to prevent internal noise from escaping or keeping external noise from getting in, you need to use soundproofing. If you’re hoping to improve the quality of sound within a room (such as in a home cinema or recording studio where sound quality is essential) you need acoustic treatment.

Benefits of Soundproofing Your Home

There are plenty of reasons people soundproof their home – with so many benefits it’s easy to see why!

Increased Privacy

Possibly the most common reason people soundproof – privacy. Soundproofing your home allows you to go about your day-to-day business without having to worry about disturbing others or having others hear you. It’s especially ideal if you have particularly loud hobbies such as playing an instrument.

Better Hearing and Ear Health

Excessive exposure to loud noise can do more than just irritate us – it can cause long term hearing loss/damage. Keeping noise levels to a minimum where possible can prevent future problems from appearing.

"Soundproofing for better ear health"

Improved Sleep

Sleep is an essential element to our health and wellbeing but most of us don’t get enough of it. For some, noise can be a huge disruption to sleep. By soundproofing doors, windows, and walls you can create a quieter surrounding and better environment to sleep in.

Reduce Disturbance from Noisy Neighbours

Noisy neighbours can be incredibly frustrating and can create tension and unpleasant interactions.. By soundproofing your home and reducing the amount of noise you can hear coming from your neighbours and vice versa, you can create a much better living environment for yourself and those around you.

Increased House Value

Soundproofing your home can actually increase its value. As an incredibly sought-after element in the home, soundproofing can offer a competitive edge and be used as a tool to advertise a higher price for your home.

"Soundproofing can improve property value"

Most Effective Soundproofing Materials

Some soundproofing materials are more effective than others, and some more so in certain ways than others. For example, bass traps are incredibly effective when it comes to reducing bass vibrations but less so when it comes to higher frequencies.

When considering overall effectiveness, these are our top 5 soundproofing materials…

1. Acoustic Insulation

Acoustic insulation has more density than regular insulation which helps it to block sound whilst still providing the benefits of heat insulation.

"Soundproofing using acoustic insulation"

2. Underlay

Acoustic underlay is used for floor soundproofing and is ideal for apartments buildings.

3. Acoustic Membrane

Acoustic membrane is usually used in walls and is highly effective at preventing sound from passing through.

4. Door Seals

Door seals are inexpensive but highly effective at reducing sound that would normally escape through the gaps in doors.

"Soundproofing using door seals"

5. Acoustic Isolation Clips

Isolation clips reduce vibrations and are incredibly cost effective when used alongside other soundproofing solutions.

How Much it Costs to Soundproof a Home

The amount it costs to soundproof a home will vary extensively from project to project, so there isn’t an exact answer to this question. The cost of soundproofing will be affected by several aspects including where you’re soundproofing, room size, how loud the noise you’re trying to block is, the type of soundproofing materials you use, whether you decide to hire a professional installer, and much more.

Is Soundproofing Worth the Time and Money?

A question we get asked a lot – ‘is soundproofing actually worth it?’ Short answer - yes. If you’re struggling to sleep from traffic pollution or constantly feel like screaming at your noisy neighbours, or simply want some privacy, soundproofing is completely worth the time and money.

Where to Buy Soundproofing Materials

Soundproofing can be bought from a variety of places online, including on our website. We sell a wide range of high-quality soundproofing materials that can be used for walls, floors, and ceilings to help you achieve your goals. We’d always recommend talking to an expert in soundproofing before purchasing to ensure you get the right materials for your specific needs. At Muffle, our experts are always happy to help and you can easily contact us by phone, email, or on our live chat!