Soundproofing Guide
Practical, evidence-based solutions to reduce noise in your home. From quick wins under £50 to comprehensive room treatments.
Windows — Your First Priority
Windows are the weakest point in any wall for sound. A standard single-glazed window lets through around 20-25 dB of reduction, while double glazing provides 25-30 dB. For noisy areas, you need more.
Secondary glazing is the gold standard for noise reduction. A secondary panel installed 100-200mm behind your existing window can achieve 35-45 dB of sound reduction — significantly better than replacing with triple glazing. Many listed buildings use secondary glazing because it doesn't alter the external appearance.
Acoustic curtains provide a quick, affordable improvement of 5-10 dB. They work best as heavy, floor-length curtains with no gaps at the sides.
Acoustic Thermal Curtains (Pair)
Heavy 3-layer blackout curtains with acoustic lining. Reduces noise by up to 7 dB. Multiple sizes.
From £35
View on Amazon →Window Draught Seal Tape
Self-adhesive EPDM foam seal for windows and doors. Stops noise leaking through gaps.
From £8
View on Amazon →Secondary Glazing Kit (DIY)
Magnetic secondary glazing panels. Easy to install, removable for cleaning. Various sizes.
From £45
View on Amazon →Doors — Seal the Gaps
Internal and external doors often have significant gaps at the bottom and sides. A 3mm gap under a door can let through as much noise as leaving the door open a crack. Fitting a door sweep or drop seal can improve noise isolation by 5-8 dB.
For maximum effect, replace hollow-core internal doors with solid-core doors (25-30 dB reduction vs 15-20 dB for hollow).
Door Bottom Seal Strip
Self-adhesive silicone door sweep. Blocks noise, draughts and dust. Fits doors up to 100cm wide.
From £10
View on Amazon →Acoustic Door Seal Kit
Complete perimeter seal for doors. Includes threshold strip and side/top seals.
From £25
View on Amazon →Walls — Add Mass
Thin partition walls transmit noise easily. The most effective wall soundproofing adds mass and decoupling. Options from cheapest to most effective:
- Acoustic foam panels — reduce echo inside a room but don't block external noise (£2-5 per panel)
- Mass loaded vinyl (MLV) — heavy flexible sheet applied to walls, adds 5-10 dB of isolation (£15-25 per m²)
- Acoustic plasterboard — high-density plasterboard like Gyproc SoundBloc, 3-5 dB better than standard plasterboard (£8-12 per m²)
- Independent stud wall — new wall built in front of existing with air gap, 15-25 dB improvement (£50-80 per m² installed)
Acoustic Foam Panels (12 Pack)
30x30cm wedge panels. Reduces room echo and reverberation. Ideal for home offices.
From £18
View on Amazon →White Noise Machine
20 soothing sounds including white noise, fan, and nature sounds. Timer and memory function. Portable.
From £25
View on Amazon →Acoustic Sealant (310ml)
Flexible gap filler for around windows, doors and skirting boards. Stays flexible, won't crack.
From £8
View on Amazon →Floors — Stop Impact Noise
If you hear footsteps or impact noise from above or below, acoustic underlay is the most effective solution. A good acoustic underlay can reduce impact noise by 18-22 dB.
For ground floors near road noise, heavy carpet with acoustic underlay provides better sound insulation than hard flooring. If you prefer hard floors, look for acoustic underlay specifically rated for noise reduction (check the ΔLw rating — higher is better).
Quick Wins Under £50
- Draught-proof all windows and doors — seal strips and brush seals (£15-30 total)
- Fit a door sweep to your bedroom door (£10-15)
- Rearrange furniture — bookshelves against party walls, bed away from road-facing walls
- Use a white noise machine at night — masks intermittent noise like traffic spikes (£20-30)
- Heavy curtains on road-facing windows (£30-80 per pair)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to soundproof a room?
The cheapest effective soundproofing starts with sealing gaps: draught excluders around doors (£5-15), acoustic sealant around window frames (£8-12), and heavy curtains (£30-80 per window). These simple measures can reduce noise by 5-10 dB, which is a noticeable difference.
Does secondary glazing really work?
Yes. Secondary glazing is one of the most effective soundproofing measures. A properly installed secondary glazing panel with a 100-200mm air gap can reduce noise by 35-45 dB. It is more effective than triple glazing for noise reduction because the larger air gap provides better acoustic isolation.
How much does it cost to soundproof a bedroom?
A basic bedroom soundproofing package costs £200-500: acoustic curtains (£60-120), secondary glazing for one window (£100-300), and a door seal kit (£15-30). For comprehensive soundproofing including walls, expect £1,000-3,000 depending on room size and methods used.
Do acoustic panels reduce noise from outside?
Acoustic foam panels are designed to reduce echo and reverberation inside a room, not to block external noise. For blocking outside noise, you need mass and air-tight seals — secondary glazing, solid core doors, and sealed gaps are far more effective than foam panels.
Related Guides
- Noise and house prices — how noise impacts property values and what surveys check
- Flight path checker — check if your postcode is under a flight path
- Motorway noise — which postcodes are affected by motorway corridors
- Railway noise — mainline and freight railway noise by postcode
- How to report noise — your legal rights and the complaint process
- Decibel guide — what different dB levels sound like