How much does soundproofing a room cost?

Whether you’re living near an airport or just want to build an entertainment center, soundproofing can help bring back peace into your home. But how much does a soundproof room cost?

The cost of soundproofing a room in the US ranges from $1,000 to $2,500. This can still go up depending on the area to install soundproofing and the type of soundproofing. There are two main cost factors involved in soundproofing a room:

• Cost of materials
• Labor costs

Feeling confused on costs to soundproof? With our price guide, you can find out how much it costs to soundproof a room and make an informed choice for your own home.

Top factors that affect soundproofing costs

• Soundproofing material. When it comes to soundproofing a room, there is a range of materials that you can choose from. Some of the most common materials are foams, boards and panels, drywall, paints, and even curtains! Of course, soundproofing costs will depend on the material you choose. Textured paint is one of the common budget options, while an acoustic insulation slab is one of the more premium sides.The cost per material can also vary per brand and level of noise you want to filter. Low noise coverage would use cheaper materials, while high levels of noise would use more specialized materials. A soundproofing expert can help you find the best material fit for your home and your budget.
• Area to soundproof. Domestic soundproofing costs will also depend on the area to be soundproofed, its size and scale. Soundproofing one wall would be cheaper than soundproofing the whole house or a garage.  
• Soundproofing technique. There are a variety of soundproofing techniques that can help reduce the noise inside your home. For walls, you can choose to build a second wall or fix soundproof materials on an existing wall. How much to soundproof a room would depend on which method you choose.
• Labor. The cost of installation is one of the biggest factors that can affect how much soundproofing costs. Labor costs range from $50 to $100 per hour if you hire a tradesperson. This could reach around $200 to $500 if you hire a professional soundproofing specialist or an engineer.

The duration of the job depends on the complexity of the project. Putting up a soundproof curtain or carpet could take just a few hours, while installing drywall or soundproof windows would take one full day.

Areas to soundproof and their costs

There are many options to soundproof your space. You can opt to soundproof a part of your house like a wall, ceiling, window, or the whole structure like a shed or a garden studio.

Soundproofing a wall

There are many ways to soundproof a wall. You can choose to install a drywall, insulate the wall with foam, or use curtains, panels, and tiles. How much to soundproof a wall would depend on which method you choose, the size of your wall, and the material you will use. On average, costs range from $1 to $5 per square foot.

You may also opt to install soundproof drywall, which costs around $40 per sheet. If you want a quick and easy fix, a noise-blocking curtain is a good choice. However, costs could go as high as $100.

Soundproofing a ceiling

The main factors that affect the cost of soundproofing a ceiling are the size of the ceiling, type of home, ceiling material, and soundproofing material. Costs will range from $200 to $300 if you opt for textured paint. Of course, you can also purchase cheaper materials and do some DIY. However, this is often not as effective in filtering out higher impact noises.

Soundproofing your floors

If you live on a higher floor and want to soundproof your floors, the cost of materials usually ranges from $100 to $1,000. This could still go up depending on the structure of the area to soundproof or if you choose premium materials.

Soundproofing a window

Aside from walls, ceiling, and floor, you can also soundproof your window. How much do soundproof windows cost would depend on the material you are to use. Curtains often cost less than $100 and are good to tone down basic noise. If you want more coverage, installing soundproof windows is a good investment. This usually costs $300 to $1,200 for each window.

Soundproofing a house or a condo

If you live in a busy building with constant chatting, television playing, and animal barking from your neighbors, you can also soundproof your whole condo, the cost to soundproof a condo range from $1 and $5 per square foot.

If you have your own house but live near a train station or the airport, you can also choose to soundproof your whole home. Since the space is a lot bigger compared to a condo, the costs are also higher. For house soundproofing, costs range from $10 to $30 per square foot.

Benefits of soundproofing

Soundproofing your home has many benefits. Soundproofing helps make your home become more peaceful by filtering out outside noises. It also gives your family more privacy and confidentiality by decreasing the sound going through the walls.

A simple act of soundproofing can also upgrade your lifestyle. It enables you to create your dream recording studio or entertainment center in the comfort of your own home. Aside from these, it creates an environment where you can stay focused on work, hobbies, and other important tasks.

Soundproofing checklist

Before starting your soundproofing project, we’ve created a checklist containing tips to help your home project become a success:

• Be clear on the purpose of soundproofing – is it meant to filter outside noises or for entertainment purposes?
• Read up on the different types and methods of soundproofing
• Consult with an expert tradesperson on the available options for your home
• Check multiple quotes and pick a tradesperson or a laborer with the right skills, experience, and background fit for your needs
• Follow aftercare guidelines on your newly soundproofed home to avoid costly repairs and make the most out of your investment

Soundproofing need not be stressful! Whether you want to know how much exactly a soundproof shed costs or how much do soundproof windows cost, get a personalized quote when you put up a task on Airtasker!