Soundproof a closet to avoid noise complaints from neighbors.
Sound is carried between rooms by air, wood, drywall and other building materials. The wood and drywall conduct wavelength transmissions, making it impossible for a room to be soundproof. Neighbors and housemates get frustrated by the constant, loud sounds of a musician practicing his craft in the next room or apartment, causing conflict that forces the musician to stop or move his practice elsewhere. A relatively large closet serves as an alternative practice area for a musician in his own home because it is easy and affordable to create a soundproof space with specialty materials. Does this Spark an idea?
Sound Absorption Sheets
Sound absorption sheets work by reducing sound pressure levels, allowing less sound to escape the space. They are economical because they cost less than foam or panels and block the sound from escaping just as efficiently. The sheets are made of cotton, which plays a key role in absorbing the sound. Sound absorption sheets hang from the walls using special clips, making it easy to add more sheets or remove the sheets completely when the room no longer needs to be soundproof. Use a double layer for the most effective soundproofing.
Weather Stripping
Check the room for air leaks. Use weather stripping around the door to the closet and at the bottom of the door. The weather stripping provides an airtight seal, keeping sound from escaping through the bottom, top and sides of the door. Use caulk or tape to seal any other air leaks around the closet. If possible, replace hollow doors with solid wood doors. A completely airtight closet is not the most ideal environment for making music, so securing the major air leaks will be enough for soundproofing.
Recycled Tire Rubber
Use rolls of recycled tire rubber to create a noise barrier in the closet. This is an eco-friendly, affordable option that provides effective soundproofing. Place the rubber on floors, walls or ceilings of the closet to avoid letting sound escape to the rest of the house or apartment.
Sheetrock and Silicone
Sheetrock added to a closet with silicone works as a dampener of sound and slows the transfer of vibrations. Apply sheetrock to the existing closet walls to make it as soundproof as possible. Add the silicone caulking to the stud surfaces, then put up the sheetrock with screws. Add more silicone caulking to the stud surfaces on the first layer of sheetrock, then screw in the second piece of sheetrock. Products with visco-elastic, or sticky and stretchy, materials are being developed that work more efficiently than the silicone.
Tags: absorption sheets, caulking stud, caulking stud surfaces, closet avoid, effective soundproofing, from escaping, silicone caulking
