How Much Does It Cost To Soundproof A Room?

Soundproofing Cost Factors

Soundproofing materials and techniques aim to block out the airborne and impact noises coming from outside your home or from the next room. They also aim to keep sounds in, protecting your neighbors from loud music or exercise. 

Specialty soundproof paints, panels, drywall, curtains, and more absorb sounds to damper the noise in your space. However, not all rooms or levels of sounds require the same soundproofing tactics. Let's look at the main factors that sway the cost of a soundproofing project.

Cost of Materials

There are countless materials that soundproof different areas of the room. Some of the most common soundproofing material costs include:

• Foam insulation: $1 to $3 per square foot

• Textured acoustic panels: $2 to $5 per square foot 

• Acoustic tiles: $5 per 4-inch square

• Soundproof paint: $2 to $4 per square foot

• Acoustic drywall: $40 per sheet

• Sound-dampening curtains: $15 to $100 per panel

• Mass-loaded vinyl: $2.50 to $5 per square foot

Size of Room

The cost to soundproof a room based on its size ranges from $10 to $30 per square foot. While size plays a key role in the price tag, it's not always the driving factor. For example, heavily soundproofing a small children's bedroom from all surrounding noise may require more material than simply quieting your home office.

Prices all vary based on when contractors soundproof a home. New construction soundproofing will range from $12 to $25 per square foot while soundproofing an existing room costs between $10 and $30 per square foot.

Complexity of the Project

Installing drywall, working on ceilings, or installing soundproof windows should be left to the soundproofing professionals. The prices charged by soundproofing companies will reflect the project’s complexity, including:

• Time it takes to complete the project

• Access to the soundproofing area 

• Cost to haul away materials

• Certifications or permits necessary for installation

Labor Costs

How much will a soundproofing contract cost? Specialists charge an average of $75 to $200 per hour while a general contractor charges $50 to $150 per hour with a minimum number of hours required. Expect to pay between $200 and $400 for labor to soundproof one room.

Soundproofing Surfaces Cost

Before we break down the cost to soundproof a room, take it surface by surface. The price of your soundproofing depends on whether it involves windows, walls, drywall, ceilings, doors, or flooring.

Cost to Soundproof Windows

The cost to soundproof a window costs anywhere from $15 and $1,500. On the low end of the range, you can block out basic sounds with soundproof caulk, curtains, or a home window sealing kit. On the high end, replace the whole window with soundproof glass. Here's what to expect from each project.

Cost to Soundproof Walls

The walls are often the first thing that comes to mind when soundproofing a room. Since there is such a long list of soundproof wall materials on the market, talk with a pro about the right level necessary for your needs. It will cost an average of $100 and $350 per wall.

Cost to Soundproof Drywall 

Soundproof drywall panels range from $40 to $60 per panel. Experts use a range of techniques to double up, insulate, or structure drywall to protect against noise. These steps are either taken during home construction or by fortifying walls with more layers of drywall in an existing home.

Cost to Soundproof Ceilings

Similar to soundproofing walls, you can opt for common tools like acoustic panels, insulation, mass-loaded vinyl, or soundproof tiles to keep sound out. You can even double or triple the drywall layers as you did with the walls. Loud roofs or apartments with upstairs neighbors are popular places where soundproof ceilings are key.

Cost to Soundproof Doors

There are low-cost and flexible ways to soundproof doors, such as by installing blankets and curtains to absorb noise once the door is closed. You will also find more permanent door soundproofing materials like thresholds, sealant, and acoustic panels or mass-loaded vinyl. In extreme cases—such as when you're planning band practice—replace the door with a solid core door, soundproof glass door, or specialty soundproof door design.

Cost to Soundproof Flooring 

Soundproofing a floor is easier in new construction. But if you're soundproofing an existing room, the trick lies in the carpeting. Carpeting itself will damper sound and a soundproof underlayment between the rug and the floor goes a bit further. You can even find interlocking carpet mats that cut down on noise.

Soundproofing Material Cost

How does each of these materials absorb sound, and which ones are worth the cost? Tailor your soundproofing project around the material that best suits your needs.

Insulation 

Soundproof insulation is not quite the same as thermal insulation—the variety found in every home to regulate its temperature and airflow. Soundproof insulation pairs with thermal insulation to absorb sound. For this reason, it costs $1 to $3 per square foot, a bit more on average than the traditional varieties.

Panels and Tiles

Soundproof tiles and panels come in a range of materials, shapes, and colors. The panels and tiles contain absorbent materials like foam, mineral wool, fiberglass, or polyester and are often wrapped tightly in fabric. Panels cost between $2 and $ per square foot while individual press-on tiles typically cost about $5 per 4-inch square.

Paint

Acoustic paint relieves low levels of noise and is often used in tandem with other methods like panels or insulation. Instructions often dictate using two coats to absorb maximum sound. It costs between $2 and $4 per square foot to paint a room.

Drywall

Specialty drywall contains multiple layers of dense materials to keep out sound and prevent echo. Designers can often add layers of drywall during or after construction to maximum soundproofing. The specialty panels cost between $40 and $60 per sheet.

Curtains

Thick curtains that absorb sounds act as extra barriers for windows, doors, and walls. These are ideal additions to rooms with temporary soundproofing, like a baby's room. Soundproof curtains cost between $15 and $100 per panel, depending on the brand and thickness.

Vinyl 

Mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) is a highly useful tool that is easy to install. Typically sold in a long roll, the dense material can line the inside or outside of walls, floors, and ceilings to cut sound. Expect to pay $3 to $5 per square foot or $100 to $200 per roll.

Soundproofing Cost by Room

Cutting down noise can improve sleep, concentration, and the quality of life in a space. Here are common soundproofed areas and their related costs.

Cost to Soundproof a Bedroom

Bedrooms are some of the most commonly soundproofed spaces, especially in apartment buildings. You'll likely need soundproof windows, doors, and ceilings for best results, but walls and floors may be necessary for loud homes. Soundproofing a 10-foot by 10-foot bedroom will cost anywhere from $300 to $1,500, depending on how many tactics you choose.

Cost to Soundproof a Garage 

Transforming a garage into a place to play with your band, record music, or simply get some peace and quiet will cost more than soundproofing other areas of your home. Garages are rarely as insulated—if insulated at all, so they will not have an initial barrier. Garage doors may be less soundproof as well. Soundproofing a garage will start at $650 and range up to $3,500 if you plan to soundproof the exterior.

Cost to Soundproof a Gym

A home gym will cost between $300 and $900 to soundproof. Contractors may suggest focusing most materials on the floor to protect sounds of exercise from reaching the rest of the house. Acoustic panels will also block workout music and impact noise.

Cost to Soundproof a Home Theater

Home theaters, dens, and entertainment rooms are ideal places to consider extra soundproofing. Costing between $1,000 and $5,000, soundproofing a home theater is one of the larger projects on our list and is best handled by an experienced pro.

Soundproof Costs by Square Foot

Whether you're looking to soundproof a small room or your whole home, the square-foot price comes in handy for basic estimates.

Room

You can use the average cost of $10 to $30 per square foot to estimate the standard price of different spaces. Keep in mind that not all spaces require the same level of soundproofing. Gyms and home theaters will likely need more labor and materials than your living room or bedroom.

For example, a 12-foot by 12-foot room will cost between $1,400 and $4,300 to soundproof. A smaller 9-foot by 12-foot bedroom will cost $1,100 to $3,200.

Home

The average square footage of a home is around 2,300 square feet. If you plan to soundproof the entire house, the cost will add up to $23,000 to $46,000. However, the price tag depends on which rooms you plan to soundproof, whether you opt for some DIY installations, and how much sound you're looking to keep out. 

Condo

Condos and apartments tend to include some soundproofing tactics during construction. Builders may double up on drywall in louder areas or install sound insulation with the thermal insulation when finishing walls, floors, and ceilings. You'll pay between $1 to $3 per square foot to install sound insulation plus the costs of additional materials.

Additional Soundproofing Cost Factors

Local labor costs and related construction fees will always have an effect on the cost of soundproofing projects. Don’t forget to consider these additional expenses when planning your budget.

Removing Existing Material 

Hauling away construction debris costs between $100 and $800 on average. If you hire a local soundproofing professional, they may have access to low-cost waste services. 

Modifying Existing Structure 

Any major modifications to your current home will add to the cost of soundproofing itself. Whenever adding drywall, insulation, or batting that changes your current home's structure, include additional hours in your labor costs.

DIY Soundproofing vs. Hiring a Pro

Plenty of soundproofing projects on this list are easy and affordable to take on yourself. Many brands sell tiles, panels, and rolls of vinyl that are easy for homeowners to install themselves. In these cases, you will only pay for the cost of materials. 

However, hiring a soundproofing professional is necessary if you need to remove any walls, floorboards, or parts of your ceiling. These construction projects may require building permits and interfere with electrical wiring or plumbing.

FAQs

Why would you soundproof a room?

Soundproofing a room is done to either keep noise in or keep it out. Bedrooms, home offices, or entire homes in busy neighborhoods benefit from soundproofing for improved quality of life. 

On the other hand, home gyms, studios, and theaters add soundproofing to keep noise in the space, away from neighbors and family.

How do you soundproof an existing wall?

Walls cost between $100 and $350 to soundproof, depending on how much noise you need to keep out. To soundproof an existing wall without major construction, you have to option of adding:

• Rockwool or mineral wool

• Mass-loaded vinyl sheets

• Soundproof paint

• Acoustic panels or tiles

• Sound-dampening curtains

How do you soundproof a room?

Soundproof design takes each area of the room into account. Sound comes in through doors, windows, floors, walls, and ceilings, but not all need protection for each project. Always begin by determining what level of soundproofing you need for your situation.

Smaller projects may only require thicker carpeting, sound-dampening curtains, and soundproof paint. Add layers of mass-loaded vinyl, panels, tiles, or wool to go a step further. In extreme cases, you can also opt for soundproof windows, doors, and additional insulation in the walls, ceiling, and floor.