Soundproofing Your Home

How to Soundproof Your Apartment the Right Way

You’re finally home after a long day and want nothing more than peace and quiet. You kick up your feet, pour yourself a drink, and then… your neighbour starts. Drilling. Hammering. Banging. The newborn baby downstairs is now crying. And, as if on cue, the gas cylinder delivery truck arrives, honking its horn.

If this sounds like your everyday life, do not despair! 

Apartment living doesn’t need to be unbearable. What you need is to properly soundproof your home and protect your privacy. From budget-friendly solutions to commercial-grade results, your options are many. Here are our favourites, and we know you’ll love them too.

Din-dimming doors

Dampen the noise from outside – or even from the next room – by sealing the air gaps around the perimeter of your doors. 

For your front door, fit a rubber-strip door sweep onto the bottom from the outside, inside, or even both sides. This will mute sounds that come from the common parts of your building – whether that’s the lift going up and down all day, or your neighbours arguing in the hallway. 

Want something a little less labour-intensive? Try an under-door draft stopper, which is easily removable, inexpensive and, best of all, renter friendly. We suggest installing one on each of your interior doors to prevent noise escaping from one room into another. 

For the rest of your doorframe, weather stripping made of foam rubber or felt is an affordable choice. It’s easy to peel and stick on – and, again, can be applied to any door, inside or out. 

Soften hard surfaces

Sound and vibrations quickly travel through hard surfaces, such as walls, ceilings, and floors. To mitigate this effect, use soft fabric textiles throughout your apartment to absorb as much sound as possible. 

Despite being such a simple cosmetic fix, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Consider using acoustic panels for your walls and ceilings, sonic ceiling tiles, rubber wall coverings, or even adhesive bitumen soundproofing mats on your floor. Look for materials ranging from mineral wool and foam rubber to dense polyester fibre and cork. 

The even better news is that you can achieve similar results by using things you may already have at home. Think thick carpeting, shaggy rugs, and wall hangings. If you prefer an artsy look, pin patterned sheets or blankets to the ceiling to create a cosy tent-like feel, while muffling unwelcome noise from upstairs. 

For an even simpler quick fix, place furniture like a well-stocked bookcase or cushion-covered sofa against a shared wall to create a sound-absorbing barrier. 

Noise-blocking windows 

Your windows let in a lot more than just light. To block out the noise that comes in from the street, your neighbour’s air-conditioning unit, or the whir of appliances echoing up the shaft, consider buying acoustic window dressings. These are thick blackout blinds that fit around your window frame. 

Similarly, heavy curtains are also a neat trick when trying to keep the decibels down. 

Alternatively, you may want to invest in window inserts made of acrylic or glass. Place them over your windows to insulate without compromising the view. They’re easy to install and remove, so they’re a great option if you’re renting. 

Another effective solution is double-glazing window insulation. Not only does it increase your home’s efficiency, but it also blocks unwanted sounds successfully.

The RE/MAX takeaway

Especially if you work from home, you know that noise disrupts our day-to-day lives more and more each day. From traffic to construction, it can feel intolerable. But there’s no need to feel like you can’t escape it. We get it, and we’re here to help. 

If you’re thinking of moving house or are looking for a new apartment to buy or rent, maybe even in a different location, you’ve come to the right place. Get in touch via https://remax-malta.com – we’ll help you get started today!