How Much Does It Cost to Soundproof a Room?
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Soundproofing a room keeps unwanted noises out and maintains the peace. How much does it cost to soundproof a room? The total cost can range anywhere from $1,036 to $2,721, or $1,874 on average.
Highlights
- The cost to soundproof a room ranges between $1,036 and $2,721, with a national average cost of $1,874.
- There are several factors that can influence the final cost, including the size and type of room, the area being soundproofed, and the type of soundproofing used.
- The benefits of soundproofing a room include increased privacy, better health and quality of life, and potentially an increase in home value.
- Homeowners may be able to complete some basic soundproofing tasks themselves, but projects that include removing drywall or installing insulation are better handled by a professional.
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Loud sounds can easily disrupt the peace in a household, especially if someone is working from home in one room and someone is blasting a movie in another. Soundproofing may just be the answer to keeping the peace.
Homeowners may choose to soundproof a bedroom to sleep better or a home office to maintain concentration. Soundproofing methods aim to block airborne and impact-related noises from penetrating walls, floors, and ceilings. The more soundproofing methods used in a room or throughout a home, the more effective the noise-blocking will be.
How much does it cost to soundproof a room? According to HomeAdvisor and Angi, room soundproofing ranges from $1,036 to $2,721, with $1,874 as the national average cost. This cost guide details all the factors that affect soundproofing costs, the benefits of soundproofing a room, and how to hire a soundproofing specialist.
Factors in Calculating the Cost to Soundproof a Room
There are plenty of factors that contribute to the cost of soundproofing a room. The cost varies depending on the size of the room, the room type, and the soundproofing material used, in addition to other aspects. Each of these soundproofing cost factors and the cost range homeowners can expect to pay is detailed below.
Room Size
The cost of soundproofing can run anywhere from $10 to $30 per square foot, so the larger a room is in size, the more the soundproofing will cost. The increased square footage will require more soundproofing materials and more labor for installation. Soundproofing costs based on square footage will vary a bit depending on if the soundproofing is for new construction or an existing home. Soundproofing a room in an existing home costs $10 to $30 per square foot, while new-construction soundproofing costs $12 to $25 per square foot. Installing soundproofing is less invasive for new construction and therefore slightly less costly because the walls and floors have not yet been constructed. In existing construction, it’s possible that drywall will need to be removed so insulation for soundproofing can be installed.
Room Type
There are a few common rooms in a home that homeowners typically want to soundproof, from bedrooms to home theaters to gyms. Bedroom soundproof walls offer a more peaceful sleep and cost $1,300 to $6,000. This room type likely requires soundproofing walls, windows, and doors. Soundproofing a home office for better concentration results in a similar cost. The cost to soundproof a garage runs from $1,900 to $14,400. Garages are not often insulated and therefore require more effort and money to soundproof. Soundproofing a home gym costs $1,500 to $7,500—floor insulation and acoustic panels are typical soundproofing methods used in this type of room. Soundproofing a home theater costs from $1,200 to $10,000, since multiple soundproofing methods will be necessary to dampen the sound of the loudspeaker system.
| Room | Soundproofing Cost |
| Basement | $5,000 to $30,000 |
| Bathroom | $500 to $6,300 |
| Bedroom | $1,300 to $6,000 |
| Garage | $1,900 to $14,400 |
| Home gym | $1,500 to $7,500 |
| Home office | $1,000 to $4,500 |
| Home theater | $1,200 to $10,000 |
| Kitchen | $1,600 to $7,200 |
| Laundry room | $420 to $2,500 |
Soundproofing Area
Within a room, there are five areas that can be soundproofed: floor, walls, ceiling, windows, and doors. Soundproofing methods and materials vary for each of these areas. Some materials will work for multiple areas, such as soundproof drywall that can be installed on both walls and ceilings or sound-dampening curtains that can be installed on both windows and doors. Generally, the cost to soundproof various elements of a room is as follows.
| Area | Cost |
| Floor | $40 to $800 |
| Wall | $65 to $400 per wall |
| Ceiling | $150 to $1,400 |
| Window | $15 to $1,500 per window |
| Door | $20 to $4,000 per door |
Further details on the costs to soundproof these types of soundproofing areas are found below.
Material Type
Dense materials that absorb sound are used for soundproofing and come in a variety of forms. Common soundproofing materials include:
- Foam insulation: $1 to $3 per square foot; used inside walls and sometimes floors and ceilings
- Textured acoustic panels: $2 to $5 per square foot; attached to walls
- Mass-loaded vinyl: $2.50 to $5 per square foot; used between layers of drywall
- Acoustic tiles: $5 per 4-inch square; often used on ceilings
- Soundproof drywall: $40 to $60 per panel; used in place of standard drywall and has a similar effect as installing two or three layers of standard drywall
- Soundproof paint: $2 to $4 per square foot; used on any painted surface
- Sound-dampening curtains: $15 to $100 per panel; can be used on doors or windows
Project Complexity
Soundproofing projects can be fairly simple or extremely complex depending on many factors. Two main factors are the accessibility of the soundproofing area and the number of soundproofing methods being used. Additionally, the need to haul away excess demolished materials or apply for certain permits and certifications can add to the complexity of a project. A soundproofing professional will take all of these factors into consideration when pricing a project; the more complex a project, the more a homeowner can expect to pay.
Labor
When hiring a company to install soundproofing, homeowners can choose from a professional soundproofing specialist or a general contractor. It costs around $75 to $200 per hour for a specialist and $50 to $150 per hour for a general contractor. General contractors can complete most of the work a soundproofing specialist can with the exception of installing some unique soundproofing systems. Homeowners who plan on using insulation for soundproofing can directly hire one of the best insulation contractors, who will likely charge between $40 and $80 per hour.
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Additional Costs and Considerations
In addition to the cost factors detailed above, there are a few more that will apply in certain situations. Homeowners will want to consider their own soundproofing project and whether any of the following factors may play a role in determining how much it costs to soundproof a room.
House vs. Condo
Condo owners have an advantage when it comes to soundproofing. In most cases, soundproofing measures are already installed when a condo building is constructed. Extra insulation is placed in walls, and sometimes drywall is doubled up so there is minimal noise shared between the units. With all of this soundproofing already installed, it only costs $1 to $3 per square foot to install additional sound insulation in a condo. It costs much more to soundproof a house—between $10 and $30 per square foot. Soundproofing an entire 2,000-square-foot home costs $20,000 to $40,000.
Existing Room vs. New Construction
Installing soundproofing can be an invasive process, meaning walls must be torn apart in order to do so. Placing insulation in the walls of an existing room requires taking down the existing drywall, placing the insulation, and putting new drywall back up. This process is much more costly when compared to the cost of installing insulation in new construction. In a new-construction build, the insulation can be added as part of the building process, and no extra work is required. For this reason, the insulation cost to soundproof a new-construction room will usually be higher than the cost to insulate and soundproof an existing room.
Existing Material Removal
Homeowners may need to plan for the cost of removing existing material if the soundproofing project requires taking down existing walls or ceilings. On average, it costs $100 to $800 to haul away construction debris from a project site. Not every soundproofing project will require removing existing material; installing acoustic tiles or panels often does not.
Structural Modifications
In the process of installing soundproofing, certain projects may require structural modifications to a home. Installing a soundproof door may require new structural framing. Adding insulation to structural walls could require structural changes. While these types of structural modifications are rare when soundproofing a home, homeowners will want to make sure they discuss the possibility with their contractor so they can plan for the associated costs.
Chimney Soundproofing
Some homeowners may wish to soundproof their chimneys. This prevents noises from the fireplace crackling or popping from moving throughout the house. Additionally, sounds from outside can sometimes enter through a chimney. Soundproofing a chimney costs $35 to $600. It can be done by adding a flue blocker (which sits just above the firebox inside the chimney and prevents heat loss as well as blocking exterior noise), installing a chimney cap (which sits on top of the chimney and prevents elements and sounds from entering), or placing a chimney balloon (which is inflated inside the chimney and reduces heat loss while also dampening noise). An added benefit of these chimney soundproofing methods is they are likely to improve a home’s energy efficiency.
Types of Soundproofing
To completely soundproof room spaces, every part of the room should have a certain type of soundproofing method installed. Below are the various types of soundproofing available for each part of a room, from windows and doors to walls and ceilings. Can you soundproof a room completely? Using the best soundproofing materials and working with a professional will provide the most effective noise-dampening outcome.
Windows
Soundproofing a window costs anywhere from $15 to $1,500, with limited soundproofing options costing less than highly effective soundproofing options. For example, a window can be simply caulked or sealed around the edges for a soundproofing effect—this costs $20 to $100 per window. Meanwhile, a window with soundproof glass costs between $500 and $1,500. Other ways to soundproof a window include installing some of the best soundproof curtains for $15 to $100 per panel or a window insert for $250 to $500.
Door
There are several ways to soundproof a door, including paint, sealants, and panels. A door can be painted with soundproof paint that absorbs noise at a cost of $2 to $4 per square foot. Sound-dampening curtains can be placed in front of a door to reduce noise and cost $15 to $100 per panel. It is important that the door itself is solid and properly sealed; door sealant costs $40 to $100, and a new soundproof threshold at the base of the door costs $30 to $100. Hollow-core doors can be replaced with solid-core doors for effective soundproofing; installing a new solid-core door costs anywhere from $500 to $1,600. Other types of doors are available in soundproof versions—soundproof sliding doors cost between $1,000 and $4,000. If additional soundproofing is necessary, acoustic panels can be installed on a door for $100 to $300 per door.
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Floor
While a new home or addition is being built, soundproofing measures can be installed within the floor structure, typically as an underlayment. Homeowners can choose from soundproofing floor mats for $1 to $3 per square foot or soundproofing floor underlayment for $0.20 to $0.50 per square foot. Soundproof underlayment is often the cheapest way to soundproof a room. To soundproof an existing floor, homeowners may consider installing carpeting. At a cost between $4 and $11 per square foot, carpeting dampens noise—the thicker the carpet, the better.
Walls
There are plenty of ways to soundproof a wall, whether by putting insulation inside the wall or adding a layer outside the wall. Insulation must be added while a wall is being constructed; otherwise, the drywall will need to be removed and replaced. Types of insulation that soundproof a wall and their costs are as follows:
| Insulation Type | Cost (Per Square Foot) |
| Rockwool insulation | $1 to $2 |
| Foam insulation | $2 to $3 |
| Mineral wool batting | $2 to $3 |
| Mass-loaded vinyl | $3 to $5 |
Insulation can be placed between layers of drywall for soundproofing, which is easier to accomplish during the process of building a new home.
To soundproof already-built walls, homeowners can consider the following options:
| Wall Soundproofing Method | Cost |
| Soundproof paint | $2 to $4 per square foot |
| Acoustic wall panels | $2 to $5 per square foot |
| Acoustic tiles | $5 per 4-inch square |
Additionally, homeowners can choose to install soundproof drywall or double up drywall for a soundproofing effect. Homeowners can expect to pay $40 to $60 per panel for soundproof drywall cost. A contractor will make sure any cracks in the drywall are sealed to keep noises out—the cost for drywall crack sealant runs $100 to $350 per wall.
Ceiling
Products that soundproof walls can also soundproof ceilings. Homeowners can expect to pay $1 to $3 per square foot for foam insulation costs and $2 to $5 per square foot for acoustic panels. They can also attach a soundproof blanket to a ceiling for soundproofing effects at a cost of $300 to $450 per blanket. Additionally, double- or triple-layering ceiling drywall can help with soundproofing and costs $40 to $60 per sheet.
Benefits of Soundproofing a Room
Beside the obvious benefit of reducing noise in a room, soundproofing has plenty of other benefits. From improving health to increasing home value, below are several reasons homeowners may want to consider soundproofing a room (or two) in their home.
Increased Privacy
A soundproofed room offers more privacy for those inside. This can be helpful for families with children or multigenerational homes. Soundproofing bedrooms allows people to wake up at different times with an alarm clock without disturbing anyone else or to have private conversations behind closed doors.
Better Health
Prolonged exposure to sounds has actually been attributed to some negative health conditions, such as high blood pressure, strokes, and other heart diseases. It is important for the body to get rest and relaxation away from nonstop day-to-day noises. Relaxing in a soundproofed room can actually have a positive impact on residents’ health.
Reduced Hearing Problems
Regular exposure to high sound levels can cause hearing problems over a lifetime. If