Cheapest method to soundproof room?

[Mooncalf]

Out of curiosity, what would be the cheapest way to go about soundproofing a room and preferably aesthetically pleasing?

 

[Shalmanese]

egg cartons between the walls (you can buy special cardboard in the shape of egg cartons in case you are wondering) and If you are serious, special foam which isdesigned for soundproofing. Or put up fake walls after you are finsihed if you dont minde the room looking smaller

 

[Mooncalf]

What would be the costs associated with just the egg cartons, 15x20, and about what percentage of sound reduction would that offer?

 

[iamwiz82]

the foam bounces sound waves back. Interestinf stuff, but its friggin EXPENSIVE!!! Here's a pic of some. I believe it is $2/50 per sq. ft.

 

[StageLeft]

Sweet! So you could soundproof a tiny room for like...$1500-2000

 

[loogie]

dude, just tell your girlfriend to be a little more quiet.

 

[Mooncalf]

Wouldn't that be great if that was why I was asking?

 

[tkim]

LOL...i wish i had that problem...

 

[MISTER 2 U]

Mooncalf,
This depends if you want to put sound insulation IN the wall or Over the existing wall???
there are a few companies that offer sound prof insulation that goes into the wall.
There are also companies that make a sound insulation that install over the existing wall
You might want to check out a home thearter company I know that they use sound insulation
for home thearters.

 

[Mooncalf]

Thanks. I am trying to figure out if the cheapest is still within my price range. But if it is about $2000 then I wouldn't be interested.

I will look into it though.

 

[Missus]

Cotton balls and duck tape....

...or is that duck balls and cotten tape...

I can't remember...

 

[C'DaleRider]

Thought about those self-sticking cork wall tiles? They should be rather absorptive. Also, if you don't mind the look, some of those corregated foam mattress pads like Walmart has should work. You're just looking for a substance that has absorptive properties......so be creative. In fact, layers and layers of plain old newspaper would work.........be really unattractive and a fire hazard, tho.

 

[Regine]

Ear plugs

 

[FaultCode]

Cement

 

[Fingers]

doesn't look very good, but in kidnapping movies the kidnapers put mattresses up against the walls. If you can find old ones that people don't want that could be cheap, but definately wouldn't look good.

 

[cxim]

egg crate does not sound proof.. it 'deadens' a room by reducing reflected sound from hard surfaces..

sound proofing requires alternating layers of a light, low density material like foam & a high density material like a metal sheet ( lead is the classic ).

The classic way to make moderate sound resistant walls in a house is to use 2x6 frame with 2x4 studs. the studs alternate sides, so that there is no connection from the wall on one side to the other. The space between is filled with fiberglass batts. in this construct, the wall board ( sheet rock) is the hard dense material & the fiberglass is the light low density.

The goal of materials used is that, different density materials have the transmitted sound traveling at different speeds. at each interface some is not transmitted on to the next material. some is reflected & cancels out other incident sound.

 

[Shalmanese]

for the perfect sound proofing, just add a second wall in, seal ALL the cracks EVERYWHERE and make a small hole so that you can run a vacuum pump through. make sure you walls are reinforced and put a seal over the hole when you are done. Sound cant travel through a vacuum so you have a perfectly soundproofed room. requires you to be a bit crazy about it though