Most Effective Soundproofing Materials

The most effective soundproofing materials depends on where you are trying to soundproof and what noise you are trying to soundproof. How do you use the space and how does noise impact your use of it? There are different processes for how to soundproof a room for music vs how to soundproof a home office.

woman inside house with noise symbols showing two types of soundproofing

The Two Types of Soundproofing

First, a disclaimer: you can't completely soundproof a space as long as there is air. Anywhere air goes, sound goes too because sound travels via air.

There are two types of soundproofing:

Sound reduction, which stops sound from entering a space. Sound reduction will help keep your space free outside noises such as weather, outdoor conversations, and traffic.

Sound absorption, which stops sound already inside a space from echoing and reverberating.

explanation of noise reflection, absorption, and diffusion

Use these two types of soundproofing to:

  • Identify the weakest areas where sound will enter and treat those. Sound waves, like water, will travel the easiest path, so plug those up first.
  • Isolate problem areas. Sometimes it's easier to treat the source before the sound waves reach the space you want to soundproof.

Best Soundproofing Material

Neighbors, barking dogs, cars – stop it before it reaches your ears. Adding these soundproofing materials or soundproofing products to your home or office will reduce the sound that breaks through easy entry points like windows, doors, and even walls.

open wall with retrofoam added as insulation and effective soundproofing material

Soundproofing Spray Foam

Definition: Foam sprayed from a can that can be added as insulation to walls for insulation.

Best for: Existing walls, floors (between levels)

Mass Loaded Vinyl Sound Barrier

Definition: Heavy, versatile material that reduces noise wherever it is placed.

Best for: Hollow doors, between walls, floors, and ceilings, around pipes.

person with mask adding acoustic caulk to siding for soundproofing

Acoustic Caulk

Definition: Like regular caulk, acoustic caulk seals gaps in windows, walls, and doors and blocks air. Acoustic caulk has added noise blocking properties to stop sound vibrations.

Best for: Cracks in window frames, doors, walls, ceilings.

person with mask adding acoustic caulk to siding for soundproofing

Acoustic Window Inserts

Definition: Soundproof window inserts that fit onto existing windows to air seal. Made from high-grade acrylic to both reduce and absorb sound.

Best for: Single-pane windows, historic windows. They work on double-pane windows, but you will get less noise reduction.

decorative sound absorbing wall panels installed next to stairs

Definition: Decorative sound absorbing wall panels (yes, decorative, why should you settle for plain?) absorb noise within a space in an aesthetically pleasing way. They come prefabricated or available to customize with your own art.

Best for: Rooms where noise echoes – large, flat surfaces like walls with no windows.

Soundproof Underlayment

Definition: Soundproof underlayment is a rubber mat that you can place underneath other flooring materials to decrease sound transmission between levels. It can also eliminate noise from footsteps.

Best for: Creaking floors, upper levels.

Acoustic Floor Tiles

Definition: Acoustic floor tiles absorb sound during impact and from nearby sources.

Best for: Echoing room.

Comparing Most Effective Soundproofing Materials

Once you know where you are adding the soundproofing materials and what products you want, how can you compare which brand is the best? The best soundproofing material manufacturers will back up their product with a phone call discussing which types of noise it blocks or absorbs.

Many products also list their STC rating. STC, or Sound Transmission Class Rating, is a system that rates how well an assembly of building materials reduces or absorbs sound. The higher a product's STC rating, the better it is at soundproofing. See this STC rating chart for relative noise levels. It's a great way to compare products across brands and types.

The prices below are average for that type of window and may include installation costs. For example, the double-pane window cost is taken from Remodeling and is based on a 3×5 window. We tried to find windows that would have comparative STC ratings.

Watch Effective Soundproofing Materials in Action

Visit our YouTube channel for more tips on the best soundproofing material and how to most effectively block noise.

Soundproofing Windows with Indow Inserts

Let Us Help You

  1. 1

    Request a Free Estimate. We'll provide you with a preliminary estimate based on your basic window dimensions. It's quick and easy!

  2. 2

    Measure your windows with our easy-to-use laser measurement kit. We'll guide you through the simple process, ensuring a perfect fit.

  3. 3

    Customize your inserts to match your needs and your aesthetic, with tubing colors that seamlessly blend into your space.

  4. 4

    Transform your space with custom-crafted inserts shipped directly to your home, ready to fit perfectly in your windows.

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  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    We installed the windows in our four seasons room We got some 85 degree days recently and the area stayed amazingly cool usually we would have the AC on it was not needed !!!

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    Indow has established the complete breadth of custom service, from initial enquiry to being very responsive to "after-sales" questions. Ours was and out-of-the ordinary project involving casement windows in a solarium and the end result turned out quite perfectly. Access to information online, instructions arriving with the delivered windows, and answers by phone insured we "enthusiastic amateurs" completed the job to satisfaction.

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    I am very pleased with my Indow window inserts. I have a very old house and am near a busy road. I wanted to reduce the noise. I've just installed them and find a considerable reduction in traffic noise. They definitely were worth the cost. The measuring process is quite detailed but easy to follow and my inserts fit perfectly in crooked, 265 year old openings. The company representative Hannah Hendrickson

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  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I appreciate everything about the whole Indow window process.

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    Incentives were clearly outlined if I decided to move forward and order to be able to make my inserts even more affordable if I acted in a timely manner with measuring and submitting my order as well as returning the measure kit.

    The Indow inserts arrived within the expected timeframe and installing them was very easy. One of my favorite parts was watching how to install video, because they used humor, and it really held my attention and put me at ease, allowing me to take in all the little details I needed to insert my Indows correctly.

    Within hours, I noticed a temperature shift in the room. It was cooler and more comfortable. The next day when I worked in my office with the Indows the landscaper was across the street with the leaf blower and there was considerable reduction in noise making it a low background buzz instead of a disturbance to the work I was doing. I’ve only had them installed for three weeks and I’ve been so happy with them. It was a great investment for that room in the house that I use for my office.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    A great product. Excellent fit. Greatly reduced outside noise. Easy to install. Very happy!! Match your frame color to your current frame color and they disappear. So glad I got them.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Well it all starts with customer service. 10 out of 10. Brain McCracken did a great job. The waiting period wasn’t long considering they had to make the window inserts and measuring the window units with the laser was actually fun. Worth every penny!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    They are working great! Very happy with the purchase.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I'm enjoying the units, however will need to wait until next year's colder weather to get a truer feel or read on how well they work - thanks

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    They work very well for my 3 Bedroom windows.easy to install.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I purchased two Indow window inserts for two west-facing bedroom windows. These windows are exposed to the hot afternoon sun, making it difficult to cool the bedroom, and there is considerable outside noise. The Indow inserts work great at reducing the outside noise and keeping my bedroom cooler. I absolutely recommend Indow window inserts.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Very professional from website to delivery and installation was well explained and easy.

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    My husband and I can finally sleep all night without being woke up by outside noise! Indows are game changers if you live on a busy road, by a loud industrial business or just want a quieter inside environment. The customer service is pretty amazing too! Thanks Indow group for giving us back great sleep!!

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    fit perfect, weny in easyand make a diffrence with noise ,thank norbert

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Easy DIY measuring, and an obvious immediate increase in warmth. Huge difference in a historic home with historic windows.