How to Soundproof a Basement Cheap
There’s nothing quite like the peace of a soundproof basement. Unfortunately, most basements are full of noisy pipes and mechanical equipment, making them less than ideal for living space. This article will discuss how to soundproof a basement cheap! Read on for more information.
Soundproofing a basement is relatively inexpensive, but it’s never going to be free. Many of the products used are high-density foam, providing an excellent sound barrier. The most common method is to insulate the walls with soundproofing insulation. This block of foam can be fitted around piping and ductwork that runs through your ceiling, walls, and even floor.
A Detailed Guide on How to Soundproof a Basement Cheap
Option 1: Use Thick Carpets and Mats
Rugs and carpets are long-lasting, soundproofing materials that can help when it comes to making your basement free from noise.
When placed correctly in the room you wish to silence, rugs and carpets are equipped with excellent sound absorption capacity. You should put rugs or carpets on the floor and walls, columns, doors, windows, etc.
For example, if you want to stop sound coming through your walls installed in your basement, try using thick mats instead of tiles covering all the square footage of all four interior walls in your basement.
The thicker a mat or carpet, the more noise it prevents from entering other rooms. It’s best to buy custom-made dense pads for all floor surfaces where you expect to install rugs or carpets.
In this case, you’ll need a mat with a weight of at least 3 pounds for each square foot. It’s best to consult professionals before buying materials and goods because not all carpets are soundproofing.
Option 2: Drywall and Resilient Channels
Vibrations and noise can be easily transmitted through common drywall. However, there’re resilient channels to minimize such inconveniences.
There are two types of channels: with and without foam inserts. Foam insert is an excellent soundproofing material designed for sound insulation in ceilings, walls, etc. The channel provides the proper spacing between the drywall panels so no vibration or noise can pass through them.
Besides, the channel prevents air leakage (an important fact when you live in a cold climate). Finally, you will never hear your neighbors if you install these soundproofing channels on all four sides of the room where you want your secret conversations to take place!
Option 3: Acoustic Insulation
Acoustic insulation is a great option to stop sound transmission through walls and ceilings. It’s especially effective when installed on common drywall and applied to interior basement walls.
There’re two main types of insulation: mineral wool and glass fibers. Mineral wool has a density of 2 pounds and glass fibers – 4 pounds per cubic foot. Unlike foam inserts, fiberglass insulation can’t be easily cut, so it would fit your ceiling or wall ideally after installing acoustic clips (a unique set of clips for easy installation).
Glass fibers are usually used as a material for soundproofing booths because they exclude noise very well. However, inexpensive mineral wool will do well if you plan to insulate only one room in your basement.
Option 4: Rubber Compounds
Rubber compounds are easy to install and highly effective when soundproofing floors, walls, or ceilings. You can use rubber pads as a substitute for common carpets, but they’re better suited for concrete surfaces due to their heavyweight.
Rubber pads can be installed on any floor surface, except in large rooms where you’ll need several layers of rubber mats (the rule is: the more layers – the better) due to their lightweight.
The main problem with rubber pads is that you’ll need to get rid of all furnishings in the room where you plan to install them. You can’t move around heavy furniture once mats are installed. Besides, rubber compounds are effective only if installed on concrete surfaces, so don’t bother buying them for wooden floors.
Option 5: Filling in The Gaps in Basement Walls
If you want to stop sound transmission through basement walls, here’s what you should do: find out how much insulation there is between your exterior wall and interior wall (if any). If none – expand the amount of insulation in your outer basement wall using rock wool, polyurethane foam, or fiberglass panels. These materials are inexpensive and easy to install, making them an excellent choice for basement insulation.
If there are small gaps insulated in your exterior wall between the drywall panels in your interior walls (that run along exterior walls). In that case, you can use mineral wool (or glass fibers) to fill in these annoying “cracks.” You can also get rid of common nearby windows because windows provide perfect passage for noise.
If you don’t want to bother with double-pane windows, insulate them (and their frames) using Rockwool, foam, or fiberglass panels. It’s not so hard to do it yourself, but hire professional assistance if this sounds too complicated. This is a crucial step in how to soundproof a basement cheap.
Option 6: Soundproofing Paint
The newest concept in soundproofing is painting the walls with special soundproofing paint. This paint has several unique features that create significant effects when using it on interior surfaces of buildings. The secret lies in its composition, which includes materials capable of blocking noise transmission through walls and ceilings.
This special coating forms three thin layers with sound waves trapped between them, which prevents their transfer to other rooms or outside areas completely!
Soundproofing paints are not so cheap, but they’re very efficient. However, if your budget is limited, you can apply regular paints – seal all cracks before repainting. Remember: old, dirty drywall loses its insulation properties while sealing air leaks from porous surfaces reduces effectiveness significantly!
Option 7: Drywall Compound Called Green Glue
Green glue consists of an adhesive, rubber pellets, and water which allows it to expand/contract with movements in the house. As installed on walls, ceiling, or floor joints between drywall panels are filled up, preventing any vibration or noise from escaping through them (soundproofing basement ceilings).
You can use green glue as an alternative for sound-blocking drywall compounds which is very expensive. As an addition to the existing drywall compound, it provides even better soundproofing results because its expanding-contracting capabilities are higher.
Option 8: Mutex Soundproof Material
This special soundproofing material reduces sound transfer through walls or anywhere else it’s installed. Mutex material is made of two layers – an interior and an exterior – with a thick, rubber core in the middle. The exterior layer has a texture that covers up any visible part of the product achieving a great look.
The vast majority of the noise is transmitted through drywall, so the best results will be achieved if you install mutex material right next to your existing wall/ceiling/floor joints created by drywall panels. These options will help in how to soundproof a basement cheap.
Tips and Warnings
Tips:
- If you will use a drop ceiling in the basement to make it soundproofed, never put insulation on top of it. If there is any, remove it before installing the soundproofing ceiling.
- If you will use drywall, make sure that all seams and screws in the ceiling and walls are filled with caulking. It will help avoid sound vibrations and the sliding of sheets of drywall.
- Choose a thick and heavy carpet with high density. This type of carpet acts as a sound barrier, preventing the noise from getting through.
- Before installing soundproof drywall panels on the walls, you need to apply a layer of dense rubber padding. The idea is that it will act as a buffer between the wall and the drywall panel. Without this additional step, the noise would still find its way through.
Warnings:
- When making a basement soundproof, keep in mind that the more insulation you add inside, the less noise will get out.
- If you plan to install carpeting, do it before finishing your basement walls. It’s pretty complicated to install it afterward, and not many people would go through all this trouble just for that.
- Some individuals feel that the basement ceiling needs to be insulated. This is not true, though. Soundproofing a basement does not require this extra step, but you can do it if you want to.
What Is the Best Way to Soundproof a Basement Cheaply?
Soundproofing a basement can be expensive. There are many methods and products to choose from, and the cheapest option depends on your situation. If you want to reduce noise levels in your room with minimal investment, there are some easy solutions. For example, heavy curtains hung over the door will absorb sound entering the room and prevent it from leaving.
Inserting eggshell foam in the doorways will help absorb sound because it has an open-cell structure, which effectively blocks air and water vapor while still allowing sound waves to pass through. Stuff the eggshell foam into the space between the two doors or hang it up with string or heavy-duty clips.
You Can Check It Out to Soundproof Thin Apartment Walls
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Insulation Between Floors Help With Sound?
Yes, Insulation Between Floors Can Help Reduce Sound Transmission. By creating a barrier between the floor and ceiling, you can help to reduce sound transmission through the building. This can be especially beneficial for apartments or homes that are located in busy areas or near noisy environments. In addition to reducing noise, insulation also helps to regulate temperature and airflow within a space, which is helpful if you’re looking for comfort year-round.
Can You Soundproof an Unfinished Basement?
Yes, you can soundproof an unfinished basement by using soundproofing material and/or by installing acoustic tile. Both of these methods are effective at reducing noise levels in the basement and making it more conducive to living in. Keep in mind that soundproofing a basement will require a bit of work – both before and after the installation – so be sure to consult with an experienced contractor if you’re interested in trying out either of these methods.
How Much Does It Cost to Soundproof Basement?
Soundproofing your basement can be a costly proposition, depending on the type of soundproofing that you choose and the size of your basement. For instance, fabric or acoustic foam installations may be more expensive than carpet or tile treatments. Additionally, thicker walls or ceilings will require more material to achieve an effective level of noise reduction. However, there are plenty of affordable soundproofing options available if you’re looking to reduce noise levels in your home without breaking the bank.
Some good places to start include checking out online retailers like HomeDepot and Lowe’s (where you can also find helpful installation tips), as well as contacting local contractors who specialize in soundproofing. Once you’ve identified a few potential suppliers, it’s important to get quotes and compare prices before making a decision about which treatment is best for your needs.
Conclusion
The average cost of soundproofing a room can be anywhere from $2,500 to $6,000. With the suitable materials and time invested in research, you might find it possible to do this project on your own for around $1-$5 per square foot (depending on how much work needs to be done). If you’re looking for an easy DIY solution without too many hassles or expenses involved, this article on how to soundproof a basement cheap should help!