Soundproofing Existing Walls - What works & what doesn't
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- čas přidán 1. 08. 2024
- Soundproofing existing walls can be more of a challenge than making a wall soundproof while in construction. Here are ways to sound proof an existing wall that actually works and also ways that don't work!
From acoustic sealant to acoustic compound, there are many ways to soundproof a wall but there are also ways that should be avoided because they simply do not work.
Links for recommended products talked about in this video. Amazon and Homedepot for more buying options.
1. Acoustic Compound (In between drywall)
Amazon - amzn.to/36RFafO
2. Acoustic Sealant (Around Electrical Outlets)
Amazon - amzn.to/36UtYiQ
Home Depot - homedepot.sjv.io/MG9kY
3. Backer Rod (Around Bigger Gap Electrical Outlets)
Amazon - amzn.to/33Qm6N8
Home Depot - homedepot.sjv.io/Y7KXm
4. 5/8" Drywall
Home Depot - homedepot.sjv.io/kDmkx
5. Acoustic Pannels (Sound Deadening)
Amazon - amzn.to/3oBgQoL
Home Depot - homedepot.sjv.io/kDmQ0
6. Acoustic Foam (Sound Deadening)
Amazon - amzn.to/3mW33IW
7. Acoustic Paint
Amazon - amzn.to/36Qixsi
8. 3D Acoustic Wall Paper
Amazon - amzn.to/3ov3daw
Home Depot - homedepot.sjv.io/63JXQ
Click this Playlist for all my videos about different ways to soundproof walls. These videos talk about many different types of walls (Interior and exterior walls) and different ways to DIY soundproof them!
• Soundproofing Walls
Articles on my Website Soundproofguide.com
Bear in mind that some of the links in this video are affiliate links, and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
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The first tip literally explained why I’ve been hearing the new neighbor’s all sorts of noises so well, it was really annoying I could hear their loud light switches and furnitures moving around
I'm an electrician. You'll never see receptacle or switch boxes back to back for the simple reason that they don't actually fit in the channel of the stud back to back. There might be rare cases where you can fit two of them back to back depending on the box, but it would be very tight fit nonetheless. Even in this scenario you still don't see electricians doing this. They're usually always roughly 1.5' - 2' away from each other. Electricians will install them on the next stud over, this is done pretty much 99.9% of the time.
Now if sound proofing the box helps anyways then cool, b/c I have no idea. In that case then cool go for it.
I think he meant to say they are typically in the same bay. Especially in older construction, also from upstairs to downstairs.
I'm a builder/renovator, and you absolutely will see receptacles and switch boxes in the same stud channel. The house we built for ourselves has a lot of shared channels like this. And I think that's what he meant. I've never actually seen a back-to-back recep solution anywhere, although I'm sure you could fit a couple of shallow boxes like that, but why? At any rate...he obviously did not mean that.
I am turning an apartment to a recording studio, wish you could get here in Italy to help me! Keep up mate!
Thanks. I will work on your idea.
Thanks mate, don't know if I can improve my case much but I learned so much!
Thank you!
This is great! I just bought a condo and think my neighbor and I share our bedroom wall. One of the electrical outlets is actually a standard I think internet cable and when I took off the screw plate, it doesn’t appear to be in a blue junction plastic box like the other outlets on the wall. Kind of seems like a looser wire perhaps within studs. Any recommendations on how to correct this?
For now, lowest hanging fruit was to get the sealant foam around the outlets on the wall but not sure what to do about this looser cable wire. .
Thanks!
I was waiting for this video because I can't take down my walls so I need to soundproof the existing walls
Hope you find it helpful! Let me know if you have any questions. 😊
@@soundproofguide I can hear my neighbors talking and tv clearly would a regular 5/8 quietrock be enough to block the noise on a existing wall.
@@organicfireorganicfire1236 I have the same problem. It's miserable. I actually get migraines, now because it's become more frequent with the lockdowns since they're home literally 24/7.
@@soundproofguide do you know any way to sound prooof wall and windows so you have to hear the parody outside your window
@Soundproof Guide How would you handle train noise? If my house is already finished can put MLV on top of my existing drywall to handle some of the vibrations? Then put an additional layer of quiet rock on top of that with green glue? I’m not an expert on high and low frequency sound and vibrations just trying to wrap my brain around how to combat the noise from train 100ft away from my bedroom!
Trying to figure out the balance between how much density to add versus how much of an air space to add within a given space. Which video covers that?
How many layers of 5/8 drywall should I add to an existing wall? Only one or a few ones?
thank you!
thank you
What could be used instead of MLV and green glue? I don't have both in the country I live in. Would rubber foam or PU sealant work?
We can deaden the echos, high frequencies, and some volume. Bass shakes the building, its foundation and studs, so that is much harder to reduce.
Ofcourse the volume created in the room will be the same but wont the reflections have a shorter range of motion? Sound travels through air so if the room deadening panels scramble and reflect the air/noise back at the source shouldn't that have the same effect as sound proofing?
Hi I’ve been watching your videos and out of everyone your videos the one that make more sense. I have an existing wall and a very noisy neighbor All I hear is not his music but the base coming through my living room wall. You explain very well about the MLV but was confusing to me that no one explain is what is the difference between .50 pounds .75 pounds 1.00 pound and so what does this mean . What would be my best option to buy can you explain the pound weight of this product . Thank you so much. Jorge from New York City.
Before i listen to all the video is this about soundproofing noise coming in or going out of the room ? I am looking to stop my neighbor across the street from coming IN. Thanks.
Can I use MLV between a mount and the wall, and further decouple the mount by using MLV/Rubber on washers to prevent the noise from being transferred through the stud? I have a wall mounted device that is transferring minor sound (High frequencies) into the neighboring wall through the mount into the stud. It's minor but noticeable at night. Further, can I use acoustic panels/blankets to dampen the sound in a room (high mid to high frequencies) from working its way out under the door? It only needs slight attenuation as it's very minor. A door sweep is not an option as it's required for ventilation.
I can order the correct material through you? I'd like to order? Do you have workers or recommend where to look in phone book to have walls and outlets soundproof
Will adding MLV + a second drywall layer help with a neighbor's bass coming through our shared wall?
Kudos for your videos, so helpful. I did the MLV over the sheetrock in a brand new condo on a shared bedroom wall. Used liquid nails acoustical caulk in the joints and perimeter, added 5/8 drywall and more liquid nails. I do not hear talking or the tv but still the vibration of heavy walking on wood floors when i am reading in silence. Worth the money for sure. You gave me the idea of using MLV. Amazon ships right to the house. Thank you.....
That’s awesome! 😊
Thanks for sharing your experience! I just moved into a new townhome and my bedroom shares a wall with a neighbor who turns his bass up when playing video games or hosting Saturday night parties. Reluctant to start any drama with the guy so might try this process to minimize the bass as best as possible.
Thanks may have to try this for my walls and ceiling lol
What's MLV please?
Linda... Mass loaded vinyl.
Augustin.... I would do fire putty on the outlets, mlv and 2 sheets of 5/8 drywall.
Nice video. I need to eliminate traffic/road noise in a room opposite a major road. This is a finished room. Thinking of adding a layer of sheet rock to the existing walls like QuietRock or some of the brands you suggested in another video. Any idea as to which brand would be best to eliminate what is a significant amount of traffic noise? Thanks for your input
Quietrock does a pretty good job at blocking some of the noise. It would also be beneficial to place a layer of MLV between the two layers of drywall.
Let me know how it turns out!
Hello sir, did you solve the problem? I am in the same boat.
What is a great way to deadening sound on plastered walls,and ceilings
I live in an apartment with LOUD neighbors! The management does nothing to mandate their noise levels and the walls are eggshell thin. It's horride!
Watch lots of these type of videos, figure out what you can afford and are willing to do. Or move.
Is thermocol sheets sound proof?Can I use sticker wall paper on it? I want resist the noises coming from my immediate neighborhood late nights.
What can I do for loud banging for the neighbors. I live in an apartment and looking for a quiet bedroom so I can sleep better. It's one wall, against there apartment, and the floor in my entire apartment. Thanks.
I’m trying to reduce as much as possible sound (drums/live music) from leaving a room in my house (help neighbors). Will installing MLV on an external wall that has a standard door and window (double pane) make any difference? If so, by how much?
Did it?
I have a hollow door I installed draught strips on the door frame...It reduced the sound a bit but instead of replacing the door...would it be worth as you've mentioned could it prevent or reduce transmission going through the door? And I have an existing wall which is fibro where the other side of the wall Gyprock(Drywall) Part of the wall I have wardrobe and book should be sufficient to reduce the bass travel, that's my aim. I'm based in Australia btw. Would be worth installing diffusers on the ceiling too?
Thanks!
Much appreciated 😊😊
@@soundproofguide your welcome, that video covered that exact info I needed to sound proof an existing wall. I did have a question. I was going to do the vinyl and glue, but I was wondering if I put a 4in x .5 strips of wood on the existing drywall. Would creating a .5in gap between the two pieces of drywall help damper the sound even more ?
I have a 120Hz buzzing inside my walls. I can hear it all night, and its louder if I put my ear up against the wall. I don't feel any vibrations. My apartment is the top floor of a 4th floor brownstone, so I don't have any neighbors to my sides. So I assume its coming from a downstairs neighbor. I was wondering if replacing the walls with Quietrock, and filling hollow interior walls with Rockwool will make a difference. I understand that these materials don't work too well on such low frequencies, but my sound is not the typical example of noise coming from a common wall. Thanks.
It will make a difference mate.
Move
I live in a big appartment and sometimes use an circular saw, is it possible to really make the room soundproof so that my neighboors cannot ear it anymore?
so, if I have a small room with no windows and one 6.5 foot wall with a door leading outside and I want to play drums in it without disturbing my neighbors, should I just focus on the one wall connecting outside or do I have to soundproof the other walls too?
Do all the walls! My brother was a drummer and he used to practise out the back in a caravan- could hear him up to 3 kms away.
Will using MLV on an existing wall and adding 5/8" drywall stop the sound of water running through pipe work in the neighbors bathroom?
if I use mvl on one of my walls and not the rest would it sound off?
I am living in an apartment. When the kid next door starts running and stomping the floor, I can literally feel the vibration/thumping sound on my side. What can I do about this? 😢
The vibration would most likely be coming from the floors if it’s brought on by stomping. This can be difficult to fix when everything is already built. The most effective way to mitigate those types of vibrational noise would be to decouple the wall by using a resilient channel. This would only work by removing the existing drywall and then replace it with thicker drywall overtop the resilient channel.
Hello I know this video is old. But I live next to nosy neighbors. and the landlord guy the house out but didn’t put soundproofing behind the wall. How can I soundproof all walls near neighbors so they won’t hear me. They hear my conversations when I’m leaving, if I turn the music up in my house. They find a way by going in a hallway closet. So how many panels I need or how can I soundproof
When building new, is it better to attach the mlv to the framing and then 2 sheets of 5/8” drywall, or place the mlv in-between the sheets of drywall? Thanks for your videos!
In between the drywall is what I would do!
@@soundproofguide that’s exactly the opposite of what should be done.
MLV is based on its ability to fit loosely behind the wall and absorb the sound. Squishing it between drywall pieces defeats the purpose.
@@ADDG880 Agreed.
It would be really helpful to see proof that " acoustic treatment " does or doesn't help with soundproofing a lot of people say it doesn't help however I have also heard that it does work it would be great to see someone actually test the theorys out on video, thanks for the content!
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I was dumb lost the login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me!
@Thomas Roy instablaster =)
@Canaan Brixton I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm.
I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Canaan Brixton it worked and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thanks so much, you saved my account!
@Thomas Roy You are welcome :D
Is vinyl Marley the same as MLV?
I'm thinking of soundproofing a room with drywalls which already have rockwool safe and silent pro in them. Thing is, the contractor told me that he used just aluminium supports to hold up the drywall and it can't take weight. I'm still thinking of soundproofing to some degree it though to lessen the noise.
What are your thoughts on sticking 2mm thick car soundproofing mats on the wall with some green glue spread all over it?
Do ya think it's a good idea?
Honestly, it would be a lot of money for the results you’d be hoping for. The car product is more of a sound deadener than a soundproofing product. Don’t waste your money going that route. Hope this helps.
@@soundproofguide alright! Thanks! I'll reconsider my options then!
so would the extra drywall and or drywall and the vinyl help with the bass coming through the walls? I can't really hear the actual movie so much or the music as the constant thumping of the bass that makes me nuts. Thanks!!
I’m in the same exact situation. I want to hear from others’ experiences doing this much before seeing if my landlord will agree to the expense. Getting tired of not sleeping due to techno blaring at 3 am.
If it's powerful enough to move/vibrate the walls, then it's more of an impact sound, and MLV will help
Is this correct in what you are saying: over existing dry wall add in MLV, then use something like Green Glue COMPOUND (not green glue sealant) and attach the 5/8 dry wall? Trying to tell my contractor this in the next few days.
Yes exactly!
On my side - bedroom, on the other side - the neighbours kitchen, and i hear them dragging tables, chairs, dropping stuff, coffee machine, blender, whatever. A big family that wakes up at 4-5AM. Will adding a dry wall prevent the noises i mentioned? or will i need a mass loaded vinyl? I actually cannot find that material in my country so if yes, i would like to know what other alternatives are out there.
Drywall would definitely help but mass loaded vinyl is definitely not necessary. Add two more layers of 5/8” drywall with carpet glue (watch my latest video) and you should be good to go!
Seems like removing existing drywall and filling stud bays with fiberglass insulation and MLV and double drywall with sound glue must be the best way to sound proof a room.
I have spoken with probably 6 different installers and get a 50/50 response. I am in an apartment and am looking to deadon some sound like conversation, phones and some footfall. Again I am looking to deadon it as I can't soundproof it by decoupling the ceiling. If I covered the ceiling in an acoustic tile without gaps except maybe at the end where the walls start i the room could this help deadon or muffle the sound some. I have 3 people telling me it won't do a thing and 3 people telling me it will help lower the sound but not eliminate it like soundproofing. one of the products is TriDeez - 12 Pack Self-adhesive Acoustic Panels 12" X 12" X 0.4". >Be my deciding vote and let me know your thoughts please
I’m happy to be the deciding vote, because I’m 100% confident that it will do nothing. Don’t waste your money on this type of application. The only thing the acoustic tiles on the ceiling will do is deaden an echo within the room it’s in. But it won’t muffle conversation.
Best of luck.
Thank you God
How do i stop an electrical hum making its way through the walls, from the other side of the house?
Call an electrician, there might be a reason as to why it’s humming and a possible solution. It’s difficult for me to recommend something without seeing or hearing what it’s doing but always be careful when it revolves around electricity ⚡️
My neighbors are super loud and I am trying to sound proof our room so they can hear us and vice versa.
Is there a way to remove the glue after I move out?
You can't... Unless you replace the drywall.
What material is the best for soundproofing?
Solid stone.
@@Lughnerson I was actually wondering about putting up a wall of concrete block.
What does work then for when you want to play instrument and not disturb neighbors?
head phones.
Would hanging rugs on a wall help sound deaden a room?
Yes...it would sound "deaden" (reduce echos).
I actually hear the man snoring near my bed head😂
I hear him masturbating…
Any tips on stopping sound from leaking to other rooms in the house as my systems around 120DB and lower and somehow it resonates massively into my fathers office and he gets fucking triggered even on lower volumes of 60DB to 80DB on movies
Headphones.
Just start watching at 14:35
Everyone stating to add 5/8" drywall but I am thinking before adding that drywall sheet you will add a cork sheets then install the drywall on the existing wall.
Isn't sad we all have respect for others and others have no respect to their neighbors 😔 and we have to look for a solution.
How would I soundproof my bedroom without using drywall or anything?
Do you want to actually soundproof you walls or do you just want to duct tape ugly crap on your walls just for the heck of it? If you want to actually soundproof, you need drywall. Otherwise, you're not soundproofing. You can't just duct tape your old clothes and bath towels on the wall and call it soundproofing.
If I wanted to sound proof a wall, I'd just gleen glue new drywall right onto the wall and make a new wall, with maybe a slim insulation mat between
Yes! You would definitely notice a difference.
@@soundproofguide I wish I knew this stuff many years ago when I had a terrible apt, I could hear their TV, conversations with my ear on the wall, sneezing and blow their nose, it had to be sub-code, today I woulda slapped new sheet rock on with some kind of insulation in between like a mat or green glue or maybe both
Does sound also transfer through the ceiling of adjoining rooms? Do you need to do something about the ceiling or is it usually enough to do the walls?
From which direction is the sound coming?
So basically if my neighbour in an apartment has the TV on full blast all night I'm still screwed. Great.
It does definitely suck when having inconsiderate neighbours. I do have a neighbour revenge video you should watch… 😏 czcams.com/video/JycEdwdM7Z8/video.html here’s the link!
@@soundproofguide Well that's funny, but I'm afraid my neighbour is a 90 yo lady, who is half deaf and can't sleep at night, so I don't think annoying the rest of my neighbours would change anything. I'll try talking to her.
What would you recommend to help stop snoring coming from the wall from neighbours? 😂
Ugh, this is what I’m dealing with. The bass shakes my room.
Shotgun through the wall 🤣🤣🤣
If anyone knows how to get rid of bass sound from a shared wall let me know.
You’ll have to use a resilient channel to block that type of noise and vibration. Best of luck!
This is not apartment friendly at all. Was told to go to this video in one of your other videos about doing these changes in an apartment...
Reverberation time.
Additional layer of 5/8 drywall doesn’t do anything to subwoofer and bass. Just hired a company to add additional 5/8 to ceiling and existing walls. Should have not done it. Heard neighbors the next day without any noticeable difference.
That's what I need to treat subwoofer and bass, My room is adjacent to the loungeroom. My wall panel is fibro, and loungeroom Gyprock. I too do not want to tear my wall down. I live in Australia.
The wall between my and my sister's room isnt a real wall and im a gamer so yh
Ahh looking forward to the green glue is shit video!
I don’t think electrical boxes are back to back.
If I need a room to be quiet, kinda feels like I'm the one who determines if it's quiet. Would you plug your machine into a meatball to decide if it tastes good?
His suggestion...apply special sound chaulk to all electrically boxes
Here because American apartments are overpriced and poorly made. Sigh.
It feels like this guy has no idea what he's talking about.
Electrical boxes and drywall? Are you kidding me?
Not at all.
@@soundproofguide I think I came across as incredulous when I was actually going for surprise. Hope you didn't think I was flaming you.
fyi, you're overdriving your mic
This was all NO help at all
Get to the point faster