Soundproofing Your Home (especially usefull if you have a basement suite)

Perhaps you have been considering renting out the basement suite, or maybe you already have a tenant living downstairs.  If you have ever lived below someone, you know that sound travels easily.  We have compiled a few tips, ranging from less expensive, to more expensive, to soundproof your home.

In our research, we found it highly recommended that you take measures for soundproofing before your home is constructed. This would be ideal, however the majority of homes bought and sold in Calgary are not brand new. (Probably only 10-15% of Calgary home sales are actually new homes).

Less Expensive Ways To Soundproof your Home

Soft surfaces absorb sound. Think Carpet, Rugs, Curtains, Furniture. These materials help dampen sound waves, and absorb sound. Bookcases, dressers (full of clothes), and beds (matresses) also help to block sound waves from travelling to your neighbours.  You can purchase sound-deadening drapes, and sound deadening mats, to cut down on noise.

If light can travel, so will sound. Turn off the lights, and see if any light escapes through unsealed cracks, crevices, etc. These should be sealed. Pay attention to cracks along baseboards, etc. Install weatherstripping on your bedroom & interior doors.

Consider using a white noise. A fan can mask other noises, drowning them out.

More Expensive Ways to Soundproof your Home:

Install additional drywall - Double up your walls to create more of a barrier.

Install a dropped ceiling - A suspended acoustic tile ceiling can help create a buffer between you and those above you.

A quick google search led us to http://www.revealconnections.com/connect/soundivide , who has a lot of information on soundproofing using various materials designed to soundproof your home as well.