Soundproofing Your Walls or Floors: What to Tackle First?

Dealing with unwanted noise can be frustrating, whether working from home, unwinding in your apartment, or trying to keep sound from leaking between rooms. Regarding soundproofing, the key question is: should you focus on the walls or the floors first?

The answer depends on the type of noise causing the disturbance. Walls are typically used to block airborne noise, such as voices or music, whereas floors are ideal for reducing impact noise like footsteps or furniture scraping. Below, we’ll explore how to identify the noise source and provide tailored solutions for both.

Understanding Different Types of Noise

To make the right soundproofing choice, it’s important to distinguish between airborne and impact noise:

• Airborne Noise: This type of noise travels through the air and enters a room via walls, windows, or doors. Common examples include voices, TV sounds, and music.
• Impact Noise: This is caused by physical actions, such as footsteps, dropped objects, or furniture movement, which produce vibrations that pass through the building structure.

Focusing on Wall Soundproofing

Soundproofing your walls is the ideal solution if you are concerned about airborne noise, such as voices or music. Many homes and apartments have thin walls that allow noise to pass through easily.

Effective Wall Soundproofing Techniques:

1. Install Soundproof Insulation: Use materials like mineral wool or fiberglass to absorb sound waves inside the wall.
2. Layer Mass-Loaded Vinyl (MLV): This dense material blocks airborne sound and can be placed behind drywall.
3. Add Extra Drywall: Sound-dampening products like Green Glue between layers enhances noise reduction.
4. Seal Gaps and Cracks: Apply acoustic sealant to prevent sound leakage around outlets and edges.

When to Prioritize Wall Soundproofing:

• If airborne noises like music or voices are the biggest issue.
• If you need enhanced privacy in bedrooms, offices, or entertainment spaces.
• If you live in a shared space with thin walls.

Soundproofing your walls won’t resolve issues with impact noise from above or below; that’s where floor soundproofing steps in.

Addressing Floor Soundproofing

Floors become the focus when dealing with impact noise, such as footsteps or vibrations. Hard flooring can amplify sound, so reducing its impact is essential for peace.

Practical Floor Soundproofing Solutions:

1. Use Soundproof Rugs and Underlays: Thick rugs paired with a soundproof layer underneath absorb noise effectively.
2. Install Floating Floors: Decoupling the flooring from the subfloor helps block vibrations.
3. Add Interlocking Mats: Rubber or foam mats reduce noise and are easy to install or remove.
4. Seal Floor Edges: Apply acoustic caulk to close gaps between floors and walls, stopping noise leaks.

When to Prioritize Floor Soundproofing:

• If impact noise like footsteps or furniture movement is disrupting your space.
• If sound travels between floors in a multi-story building.
• If hard flooring surfaces are increasing echoes or amplifying noise.

Floor soundproofing primarily targets impact noise, but it won’t be effective against airborne noise like voices—that’s when wall soundproofing is necessary.

What to Soundproof First?

Your soundproofing priority depends on the type of noise affecting you:

• Walls First: Choose wall soundproofing when airborne noises such as voices or music are the issue.
• Floors First: Focus on floors if impact noise from footsteps or vibrations is your main disturbance.

The Ideal Solution: Combine Both

Combining wall and floor soundproofing offers the most complete solution for optimal noise reduction.

• Example 1: Adding wall insulation and rugs with soundproof underlays can significantly reduce noise in an apartment with thin walls and loud neighbors upstairs.
• Example 2: In a home theater or studio, combining wall panels with floating floors minimizes airborne and impact sounds.
• Example 3: Acoustic wall panels and thick carpets in a home office create a quiet environment perfect for work or virtual meetings.

Targeting both types of noise creates a balanced system that improves overall soundproofing.

Final Takeaway

Effective soundproofing depends on understanding your noise issue:

• Walls are best for reducing airborne sounds such as voices and music.
• Floors are most effective against impact noises like footsteps and vibrations.
• Combining wall and floor soundproofing techniques is ideal for the most comprehensive results.

You can create a calm, quiet space tailored to your needs by addressing both types of noise.