Dear Unplggd,
I'm thinking about trying to soundproof some of my apartment-- both floors and a wall that borders neighbors. They're not that quiet, but hey, neither am I and this would probably be good for both of us. I'm hoping you could help me come up with some solutions. I'm going crazy looking at a gaggle of products I know nothing about. Are there any easy solutions on the market or will I have to replace drywall for maximum efficiency?
Thanks,
Sal
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Unfortunately, Sound PROOFING (I'm making a distinction between sound treating and sound proofing) requires 2 things.. mass and air. Its basically impossible to sound proof in a rented apartment. Common steps that are taken are to double frame walls, adding multiple layers of drywall with shifted seams, insulation, and decoupling. Also critically important is to seal all air gaps. Any small opening will let all the sound through.
Sound Treating (making the room itself sound better) is far easier and cheeper.
This is a VERY simplified description.
Marshall Simmons
Acoustical Engineer
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There is probably not much you can do since it is a rental. Any change you make will have to be removable. But you may get a little relief if you take some soundboard and layer it over with foam and fabric. If you cover your adjoining walls with these panels it may help dampen some of the sound. Not only that but with the right fabric (I would go to a cheapy dollar a yard place for it since you will most likely use a ton) it will look amazing.
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