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Soundproofing Your Apartment Myths & Advice
Noise is the biggest complaint between neighbours in adjoining properties. It's no surprise that people will try almost anything to get some peace. We're breaking down the myths and what you could do instead.
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Advice
Guide
Every day in the UK, nearly 1,200 noise complaints are made, that’s over 450,000 every year. The biggest source of these complaints is noise between neighbours in adjoining properties. So, it’s no shock that we regularly hear from people looking to soundproof their apartments, whether it’s to block out a noisy neighbour or reduce external sounds like traffic.
But soundproofing isn’t as simple as laying a thick rug or placing furniture along a shared wall. Proper soundproofing involves eliminating all the paths that sound can travel through, whether that’s a wall, a window or the gap under a door.
The reality is, effective soundproofing is rarely a DIY job. It often involves construction work, structural changes, and the right combination of materials and techniques.
Soundproofing Myths
You need to soundproof an echoing apartment
If your space feels echoey or noisy, that’s an issue of sound absorption, not soundproofing. Acoustic panels or soft furnishings can help reduce echo inside your apartment, but they won’t stop external noise from getting in. For advice on using sound absorption in your apartment, head to our domestic acoustics page.
Acoustic panels will help
If the cause of your noise problem is coming from an external source, acoustic panels will not help. Although they offer a small amount of soundproofing, alone, they are not enough to stop external noise from entering your apartment.
Use soft furnishings to stop noise
While rugs, curtains and cushions do help absorb sound and improve acoustic comfort, they don’t block noise from entering or leaving a space. True soundproofing requires materials with mass, isolation and proper sealing to block sound transmission.
What You Can Do
For Owners
Proper soundproofing follows three key principles: mass, absorption and decoupling. This means adding heavy materials to walls with sound-absorbing properties and separating wall layers so they don’t transmit vibration. This often involves opening up walls or ceilings, and while the results can be excellent, the process can be complex and expensive.
Renters
If you’re renting, you may not be able to make structural changes, but there are still ways to reduce noise levels and improve comfort.
Tips for Reducing Noise
Talk to your neighbours
If noise is coming from next door, a polite conversation is always the best first step. Many people don’t realise how easily sound travels. If that doesn’t help, speak with your landlord or building manager. As a last resort, you can file a noise complaint with your local council.
Seal your doors
Your apartment door might be the biggest weak spot. Sound from hallways often enters through gaps around the frame. Most internal doors are lightweight and hollow, making them poor barriers to sound. Installing acoustic door seals can make a big difference by eliminating those gaps and improving isolation. To fix this issue, you can use an acoustic door seal kit to eliminate gaps around the edge of the door, preventing noise from travelling through your door.
Address your Windows
Single-glazed windows are a major source of noise transfer. Installing a secondary glazing system or window seal kit can add an extra layer of insulation. This creates a sealed air gap that helps block external sound. Heavy curtains or acoustic drapes can also offer some relief.
Final Thoughts
Soundproofing isn’t a quick fix, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending money on the wrong products. Soft furnishings and acoustic panels are great for reducing echo, but they won’t stop noise coming through walls, doors or windows.
If noise is affecting your quality of life, the best place to start is understanding where it’s coming from and how it’s getting in. From there, you can choose the most appropriate and effective solution.