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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sound Absorbing Wall Panels
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.

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I need to add sound proofing to a hallway to sound proof a study.
Filling out the Get a Free Estimate form will allow us to connect you with your Indow representative, who will be able to speak to you about soundproofing your hallway windows. They will also provide you with a free, formal estimate.
What could be the most effective sound-reducing retrofit treatment for windows, for the goal of blocking low frequency noise such as the obnoxious noise of motorcycles, trucks, and bad car mufflers?
This is a great question, Charles. It’s important to understand the type of noise you are dealing with as lower frequencies are typically the most challenging to address. Reinforcing your walls with things such as bookshelves can be effective. If the noise is coming through your windows, Indow inserts might be the best solution. Your representative will be able to speak with you about your particular situation to determine compatibility with your intended application.
Hello,
I need the best soundproofing materials for a karaoke hall please.
Thanks
What a fun potential application for Indow inserts! We would be more than happy to connect with you to discuss this project and provide you with a free estimate. Filling out the Get a Free Estimate form will connect you with your Indow representative, who can answer any and all of your questions and verify compatibility with the windows.
Can this block construction noise? It’s reached 90dB inside my home. I need a solution 🙈
Hi, Paola. I’m sorry to hear about this noise issue you are dealing with currently. That is quite loud. Indow inserts reduce noise by 10-18 dBA, depending on the type of windows you have. This normally feels like a 50% to 70% reduction to the human ear. However, even with a substantial reduction such as this, if you are starting at a very high dBA, you might still be facing a disruptive level of noise.
Hi, my room is behind the electrical panel wall of the apartment building. What would help block or diminish the humming and buzzing sound of electricity?
Hi, Liz. If the sound is coming through your walls, you might consider placing items against your walls to provide an additional barrier. Bookshelves, sound absorbing panels might help in your case.
We are changing our 1500 sq ft home windows to laminated windows to almost 50 stc rating, and are planning to install 5/8″ type X gypsum and 7/8″ stucco over the 3/8″ plywood on our 2×4 wood framed walls with studs at 16″ centers, R-11 fiberglass batts with 1/2″ gyp inside on the side of house adjacent to the road with high level of road/traffic noise. For the front I want to install 5/16″ cement lap siding over 1″ Ridgid poly foam or 5/8″ densglass typeX I he rated, moisture resistant gypsum also fastened directly over the 3/8″ plywood siding.
My question is what is your opion on which exterior would be most resistant to sound transference of vehicle noise. Insulation or gypsum?
Hi, Kevin. Thank you for your question and best of luck with your home renovations to address the noise issues! While we’re more than happy to speak to you about the best options for your windows and reducing noise coming through your window openings, we recommend you connect with a local contractor to discuss noise infiltration through your walls.
I live on a busy street. With my double pane windows, the traffic sound could be 50 to 60 dbs. How much noise will indow reduce?
Hi, Eva. The amount of noise reduction with Indow inserts can vary depending on the source of the noise, distance from the noise and what kind of double pane windows you have. Your Fit Specialist would be happy to connect with you to get a better idea of your noise issue. Give us a call at 503-284-2260.
My phone alarm keeps waking up my housemate what noise proofing do I need? it will have to be on my side of the wall
Hi Brody, Our first recommendation would be to locate your alarm as far away from the wall as practical. The closer to the wall your alarm is, the more the sound vibrations will penetrate the wall. The Next step would be a heavy fabric wall hanging on your wall to help block some of the sound vibrations. Hope these suggestions help!
What should I use to keep a roosters morning crows quiet in a chicken coop?
You could put some of our window inserts into the coop on the side facing your house!