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Soundproof wallpapers work! They are designed to sound deaden noise through walls and are cheaper alternatives to wall soundproofing.
In the past few years, wallpapers have transformed into more than an aesthetic product designed to beautify your house. They also help in soundproofing your walls such that noise isn’t transmitted to the next rooms.
Does Soundproof Wallpaper Work?
The simple answer is Yes- these acoustic wallpapers work. It’s important to note that the wallpaper will make a very minimal difference to the amount of sound getting in and out of your room.
If you’re looking for something to turn down a distant chatting or ambient background traffic noise, then acoustic wallpapers could make a big difference.
It’s important to mention that soundproof wallpapers are great for those who live in an apartment and other rented units where soundproofing that requires structural changes isn’t possible.
If you live in your property, you could take the longer path and soundproof your walls using drywall and other techniques that involve structural changes.
How Does Soundproofing Wallpaper Work?
Soundproofing wallpaper isn’t your typical wallpaper. It’s made of special layers designed to dampen noise.
These layers are made of either foam or latex and with a top layer of regular wallpaper.
While the material composition is different, you won’t notice any significant difference when installing soundproofing wallpaper and the traditional wallpaper.
The latex and foamy layers are good noise dampeners- but they’re not great soundproofing materials as other premium products such as drywall.
With acoustic wallpaper, you’ll be able to deaden conversations you don’t want hear or your neighbor’s television program.
Where Can I Install Soundproof Wallpaper?
Like you’d able to install regular wallpapers in any room in your house, and so does the same case apply to sound deadening wallpapers.
You can install these wallpapers anywhere in the house. You can install some in your bedroom, nurseries, dorm rooms, basement, dining room, TV room, drum rooms, and any other room in your house.
Increasing the Effectiveness of Sound Absorbing Wallpaper
Regardless of how sound resistant or thick the acoustical wallpaper claims to be, there are some limitations- it won’t completely block out unwanted noise.
There are some ways you can improve its effectiveness to reap maximum benefits:
Acoustical paint
Did you know that there are soundproofing paints the help in dampening noise in the mid-range waves available at friendly prices?
While the paint isn’t as effective as the wallpapers, when combined, you can expect some good results.
Acoustical paint is easy to apply, it’s quite appealing to the eye, and it’s only a thin layer hence, it doesn’t take much space.
Decorations and wall hangings
How about some wall hangings and decorations after you’ve installed your soundproof wallpaper?
This method applies the basic knowledge that it’s quite harder for sound to travel in filled up space than in an empty room.
You can use wall hangings, furniture, paintings, pictures, indoor plants, and much more to cover the wall hence preventing sound waves from traveling through the walls.
Benefits of Acoustical Wallpapers
Now that we know what acoustic wallpapers are, how they work, let’s have a look at some of the benefits that make wallpaper a worthy shot over other soundproofing methods.
· Friendly price
One of the main benefits of soundproof wallpapers is that they are significantly affordable than other soundproofing techniques.
· Aesthetics beauty
Soundproof wallpaper will complement the color and style of your home. There are a variety of wallpapers you can choose from to match the interiors of any room you want to soundproof.
The best part is that you won’t need any further decorations- like painting the walls once you’ve already installed your wallpaper.
· Fire & Smoke Resistance
The noise absorbing wallpapers are designed to meet the smoke and fire requirements. You don’t have to worry about this product being a fire hazard in your home.
Adding a thick layer of noise dampening wallpaper will make your room more fire-resistant. (*)
· Quality Stereo Sounds
Not only do sound-insulating wallpapers create a barrier from sounds entering your room but also create a barrier that prevents sounds from leaving as well.
This way, these wallpapers will improve the stereo experience in your home because very minimal sounds from your home will leak inside. Wallpapers also help deal with echoes in a room.
Sound Insulating Wallpaper Alternatives for Renters
There come so many limitations with rental units or apartments. Most landlord and tenants agreements don’t allow tenants to make any structural modifications, including painting or even drilling holes into the rented unit.
If you live in a rented house and would like to try some other soundproofing methods other than wallpapers, check out the alternatives below.
Acoustic Foam Panels
It’s my wild guess that you’ve been in a recording studio or a night club before. Did you get to see some of those spongy “egg crate” looking like panels covering the walls?
See the photo below to get an idea of what I’m talking about.
The truth is, acoustic panels are ugly compared to soundproofing wallpaper. I wouldn’t install them in the living room because they’d turn it to some night club or recording studio.
However, they’re suitable for home drum practice rooms, home-based recording studios, or home office.
Mass Loaded Vinyl
If you have a serious noise problem and would want to ditch wallpapers and try something else more effective but doesn’t involve structural modifications, Mass Loaded Vinyl is the real deal for you.
Alternatively, you can also combine mass loaded vinyl with wallpaper to make the soundproofing more effective.
MLV is a panel like material used to soundproof against airborne noise. Examples of airborne noise include conversations, traffic noise, and TV noise and similar.
Once you’ve installed MLV, you can cover it with soundproof wallpaper or regular wallpaper that complements the interiors of your house.
Weather Strip
Sound waves will travel through holes and cracks faster than through walls.
In that case, you can use weatherstrip to seal the holes. You can also use green glue sealant to seal the cracks on the walls hence preventing sound leaking in the room.
Curtains and Blinds
You can invest in blackout sound-absorbing curtains to prevent traffic noise. The curtains will also block noise from your neighbor’s yard from leaking into your house.
These curtains are made from dense materials, unlike regular curtains, and this property makes them capable of absorbing outside noise.
Additionally, you can get soundproof blinds to block out unwanted noise. Not only will the blinds absorb outside noise but will also prevent the sun UV rays.
Sound Dampening Wallpaper Alternatives for Home Owners
As a homeowner, you have the overall control in your house, unlike the renters. You can alter the structural appearance of your house as long as you’ve got the money to pay the handyman.
As a homeowner, if you feel that soundproofing wallpaper won’t get the job done to your desired levels. Why not try some soundproofing methods that involve structural changes to your house- after all, you’re the boss.
Drywall
Drywall installation might require you to call a professional if you lack DIY skills.
Alternatively you can call your handyman, and it’ll cost you about $40-$60 per panel (material and labor included). A standard 12×12 room will require about 12 panels, which would cost you $480-$720 (Source). The downside is that drywall is highly vulnerable to moisture. (*)
Final Verdict: On Soundproof Wallpapers
Soundproof wallpapers do work. As you’ve seen above, it won’t be the magical portion that fully soundproofs your room. But least to say, it will reduce unwanted noises to some manageable levels.
Fortunately, there are other soundproofing products you can integrate with these wallpapers to make your soundproofing more effective as a renter or homeowner.
Because as a homeowner, you’ve got the final say- you can ditch wallpaper thing and full soundproof your house.