Forty-eight percent of all disputes among neighbors are because of noise. While every city has its own idea of what level of decibels is considered to be “noise,” it’s difficult for the offender to defend a massive and loud party all night long or blasting a musical instrument at 7 a.m. Even the most cordial neighbor can become irritated by an inconsiderate neighbor. And sometimes that soundproof room can be a bonus in reverse, keeping outside noise from disturbing you when you need to concentrate and enhance privacy. To be able to enjoy your own home without ruining relationships, soundproofing a room can go a long way.

How To Soundproof a Room

Whether the goal is to soundproof a home recording studio, an office or even a nursery, the process of soundproofing isn’t overly difficult and can be done by a curious do-it-yourselfer.

Soundproof Floors: Hardwood floors are so much easier to clean than carpet, but they are also entirely too squeaky. Neighbors who live below newlyweds may find this out the hard way. Even for DIY interior designers who have a habit of dragging furniture across the floor or fitness gurus who love to use heavy dumbbells, soundproofing the floor brings peace to everyone. An easy way to soundproof floors is with rubber gym flooring or mats. In addition to decreasing the noise from fitness equipment like a treadmill or loud, or heavy furniture like a bed or desk, rubber gym flooring reduces the booming sound of music. Carpet liners and rug pads, specifically ones made for soundproofing, matched with carpets and rugs will also work wonders for the people who live underneath you.

Soundproof Windows: Noise-canceling curtains or drapes are fairly easy to find online. The thick fabric, including blackout curtains, can keep a room warm or cool, as well as blocking out noise from outside windows. Weatherstripping, which also comes in handy for cold-weather climates, can block holes or gaps. All you’ll need is adhesive rubber or plastic strips. Cut, customize and fit each strip around any areas where sound travels or where there is a draft.

Soundproof Doors: If you don’t want to spend funds on a soundproof door, buy a solid hardwood door instead of the hollow version. (Ranging from 45 pounds to 300 pounds, solid doors can cost anywhere between $120 to $5,500.) The density in hardwood doors lower sound transmission. Additionally, make sure to use door sweeps or draft stoppers, which assists in keeping out cold weather and decreasing noise. If you decide to caulk a door or use acoustic foam, make sure to carefully measure your door so it can open and close normally. With acoustic foam, the doorknob and hinges will have to be temporarily removed and the foam trimmed as needed.

Soundproofing Walls: While wallpaper is commonly linked to aesthetics, there is such a thing as soundproof wallpaper that reduces noise. There are also tapestries and rugs that can hang on the wall to soften echoes. Like acoustic foam, acoustic wall paneling may require an intermediate level of do-it-yourself skills. Although installation is no more than an hour, adhesive can damage paint and drywall if not done correctly. You will be mounting acoustic wall paneling with adhesive or impaling clips. The flat metal fasteners screw into the wall on one end and have metal prongs to hold the foam in place on the other side. You can also choose to use screws, but they’ll be more visible.

Soundproofing Ceilings: This may come in handy for first-floor condo owners or tenants to avoid blasting televisions, music and even crying babies. (Soundproofing a nursery can be a controversial topic for some, primarily because making a room absolutely quiet for a baby will make it harder for the baby to be able to sleep in loud places later, such as cars.) Just as there is acoustic wall paneling, you can install acoustic ceiling tiles.