Can You Take Out Old Drywall and Put in Better Soundproofing?

Function

• Sound is the vibration of a medium, such as air. For example, a dog barks outside, creating sound waves that hit the walls of your home. The vibrating air transfers its energy to the wall, which then transfers the energy to the air inside your home and eventually your ear drums. Soundproofing your home entails finding ways to interfere with this process.

Drywall

• A common method for improving soundproofing is to remove the old drywall and replace it with a thicker type. For example, many homes have 1/2-inch drywall in living spaces, so substituting that with 5/8-inch drywall will increase the density of the walls and ceilings, making it harder for sound to pass through from outside. If you don’t want to rip out the old drywall, you could double-layer the drywall to enhance soundproofing. However, it's important to first ask a reputable contractor to analyze your home’s framing to ensure it can handle the added weight.

Insulation

• Free-flowing air conducts sound well, so stopping up gaps with caulk, insulating around outlets, sealing windows and doors, and adding extra insulation to wall and ceiling cavities can improve soundproofing. Some building suppliers offer special insulation that blocks sound more effectively than standard types of insulation available from retail hardware stores.

Special Materials

• If cost isn’t a factor, add sound-resistant panels to your walls and ceilings. Drywall manufacturers produce gypsum-based soundproofing panels, and acoustical material manufacturers sell fiberglass soundproofing materials. A wide variety of panels and other interior treatments exist, mainly for high-end recording studios and home theaters. For this type of soundproofing, it's advisable to hire sound designer to analyze your home’s interior. Proper soundproofing requires practical experience and scientific knowledge. An expert can help you identify the most cost-effective ways to achieve the level of soundproofing you require.