There are plenty of cheap soundproofing materials the market has to offer.
But if you’re a beginner, you probably don’t know what soundproofing material works and what doesn’t work.
In this article, we shall be looking at some of the most affordable sound absorption materials and burst the myth regarding some materials advertised as sound deadeners.
A-List of Cheap Soundproofing Materials
DIY soundproofing is all about sound absorption.
The end goal is always to reduce noise or completely eradicate it, which is in most cases not possible as 100% noise deadening requires professional soundproofing.
1. Furniture
Did you know that you can use furniture in your home to soundproof your home against outside noises?
That’s precisely the truth.
In my previous article, we discussed different household items to soundproof a door.
Items such as bookshelves, portable closets, etc., can be used to soundproof a wall against bass noise.
The idea is simple.
If you have a noisy neighbor, then move the heavy furniture adjacent to the shared wall.
Stack the closet with clothes and shelves with books to create more mass responsible for dampening vibrations and sound coming through the wall.
2. Mass Loaded Vinyl
Mass-loaded vinyl is a flexible yet dense material used to block airborne and impact sound transmission.
One of my most recommended mass-loaded vinyl available online is TMS Sound Proofing Padding for Wall.
It can be used to soundproof hollow doors, walls, ducts, pipes, ceiling and works by adding mass, thus preventing the structure from vibrating.
You just have to glue them over your walls, and voila, they’ll take care of the noise problem.
Unfortunately, they are only available in gray or black color only, making them aesthetically unappealing.
Luckily you can change the color by painting them using latex paint of your desired color.
If MLV isn’t your ideal soundproofing material, why not check out these great mass-loaded vinyl alternatives.
3. Soundproof Curtains
Soundproof curtains aren’t your ordinary curtains.
They are curtains made of thick and dense materials that make them great for soundproofing and very effective in blocking out harmful sun rays.
These curtains tend to be porous, rough, and have in-depth pleating features that highly contribute to sound dampening.
Well, they are a bit of a misnomer.
The ideal name would be sound absorption curtains.
They don’t soundproof but instead capture and absorb incoming sound, reducing the amount of noise that makes it to your home.
In real sense, soundproof curtains help reduce traffic noise, reduce neighbor yard noise, and other high-frequency noise to manageable levels.
4. Acoustic Foam Panels
Acoustic foam is an excellent material used for various soundproofing projects.
This product helps in both sound absorption and can also improve the acoustic quality of sound.
One of my most recommended acoustic foam panels is Foamily Acoustic Panels.
For this reason, acoustic foam is widely used for treating theaters and recording studios.
Unlike mass-loaded vinyl, acoustic foam panels effectively deal with high-frequency sound waves and won’t block low-frequency sounds.
Luckily, it is available in different sizes and colors, allowing you to choose the color that aesthetically matches your home’s interiors.
Acoustic panels can soundproof the ceiling, walls and are one of the cheapest methods of soundproofing the ceiling.
I have previously written a guide on how to hang acoustic foam panels without damaging the walls.
5. Green Glue
Green glue is a popular sealant in the DIY soundproofing community.
It’s a sealant designed to fill up cracks and gaps when undertaking soundproofing projects.
Just like mass-loaded vinyl above, green glue helps reduce both impact and airborne noise.
It’s a viscoelastic compound (it doesn’t dry) and reduces noise by converting sound energy into small amounts of heat.
The product is commonly used between two layers of materials, in most cases drywall, where it helps isolate noise transmission from one room to the other.
It’s used to soundproof ceilings, floors, and walls in new constructions and building renovations and upgrades.
Green glue isn’t the only soundproofing sealant on the market; there are other great alternatives you can use- check out my other guide on some of the best green glue alternatives the market has to offer.
6. Door Bottom Seal Weather Stripping Guard
Just as the name suggests, this product not only helps block out the noise coming through the door but also helps insulate it and keep crawling insects away.
As I’ve always mentioned, sound travels through air and through structures.
Gaps on the door are the biggest culprits in leaking high-frequency noise from the outside.
Using a weatherstripping product such as Suptikes Door Bottom Seal will help you deal with the noise problem.
This can be a perfect option if you’re looking to soundproof your bedroom door from TV noise or people conversing in the living room, or fridge noise in the kitchen.
Btw check out my guide on reasons why your brand new refrigerator is making noise.
7. Floor Underlayment
Floor underlayments are perfect for soundproofing a floor.
If you live in a storied building, mansion and can’t a piece of your time while downstairs due to stomping noises upstairs, then it’s time to add some floor underlayment upstairs.
Most of the floor underlayments have an adhesive side that allows you to stick it or the subfloor before laying down hardwood, laminate, or engineered wooden floors.
One of the floor underlayment I’d recommend is the Roberts 70-193A Super Felt Cushion Roll for Laminate Flooring and Engineered Wood Underlayment.
Final Thoughts on Cheap Soundproofing Materials
Above are some of the best and most effective cheap soundproofing materials you can get on the market today.
Using these materials, you’ll be able to significantly reduce outside noise from leaking into your room.
However, it’s important to note that these materials won’t completely eliminate the noise problem- but will significantly reduce sound transmission to your home.