I would like to do some experimentation with soundproofing a bedroom using Green Glue, which is a noiseproofing compound intended to be sandwiched between sheets of drywall. The bedroom currently has painted drywall walls. I will be applying the Green Glue to the back of new 5/8" drywall, and screwing the new drywall to the existing drywall walls, creating a drywall and Green Glue sandwich.
My current plan is to at least do two interior walls that are up against noisier/higher traffic areas of the house. I'm wondering if doing those two walls will give me sufficient soundproofing to cut out a large amount of noise, or if I need to extend the soundproofing to the two following sections:
- Ceiling – There is an attic above the ceiling, so I'm not worried about noise coming from directly above the room. What I am wondering about is sound leaking from other rooms through the attic/ceiling. Is it possible there will be a significant enough amount of sound leakage to where it would be louder than any sound still traveling through the walls or bedroom door (which will be a solid core door)?
- Exterior Walls – From the research I've done, it looks like there may not be any benefit to soundproofing the exterior walls against sound from outside, unless I'm also investing in replacing the two large windows with soundproof windows. Is this a correct assumption? I'm also wondering if there is a possibility of significant sound leakage through the exterior wall from one of the adjacent rooms.
If it makes a difference, the main types of interior sounds I'm wanting to cut down on are TV, kids play, voices, etc. For exterior sounds, there's the neighbor's barking dog, and traffic.
Best Answer
It depends of how much noise you would like to reduce. if you looking from complete silence, applying sound-proofing sealant to two walls will do nothing but empty your wallet. If you want to reduce it to a level where you can read, write, or just not be bothered by it; then sound proofing two walls and the ceiling will help. The theory of sound proofing is to eliminate or reduce sound vibrations traveling through the walls. This is achieved by creating a air space between the layers of sheetrock where vibrations go to die. When you screw it to the wall, the metal of the screws will act as vibration transmitters and diminishing the effectiveness of the soundproofing glue. You will be better off by glueing it to the old wall.
If you have access to the room where the noise is generated, you can reduce the noise by sound-treating that room with sound absorbing furnishing and diffusing sound traveling by rearranging furniture, etc. A quick search for sound proofing art will bring an array of artsy and decorative items that serve that purpose.