Getting quality sleep plays an important role in keeping our bodies and mind healthy. Studies show that getting sufficient/quality sleep helps improve moods, promotes a healthier heart, keep your weight in check, provide a quick burst of energy.
One of the major reasons most people never enjoy quality sleep is noise. Compounding the effects of noise and lack of sleep on your life can have detrimental effects. Therefore, it’s important to combat noise as early as possible.
One of the best ways of combating noise in your bedroom involves getting a soundproof bed. Because soundproof sleep pods are quite expensive, you’re better of soundproofing your bedroom, your bed or getting a soundproof bed.
In this guide, we shall be looking at some of the best ways to make a bed soundproof and some fantastic alternatives to soundproofing a bed.
1. Soundproof Your Walls
There are various approaches to soundproofing a wall. Building a soundproof wall to prevent sound transmission requires mass-loaded, thick, and durable materials.
It may be more labor-intensive to soundproof walls than to soundproof other parts of the room. Fortunately, there are better methods than dealing with drywall. You might want to try these less costly alternatives first.
Wallpaper: Wallpaper is a simple soundproofing material for walls. Soundproof wallpaper is comprised of sound-absorbing foam that muffles sound.
Sealant: For small noise problems, you could be able to resolve the problem by applying a small amount of sealant. Repair any gaps or cracks in the walls with a water-based acoustical sealer. If possible, match the color of your wall. If you intend to repaint, use a paintable sealant.
If you have a large closet or bookcase, place it against the wall where the noise is transmitted. Since bulk may absorb sound, the furniture in a space can serve to minimize noise.
Tapestries for decor: Display a lovely rug or tapestry on the wall. Utilized since the Middle Ages, this treatment dampens echoes and retains heat.
Extra layer of wallboard: Sounds consist of vibrations. The greatest way to dampen these vibrations is with hefty, thick materials that stop sound in its tracks.
Brick and stone are fantastic in terms of weight, but they are unsuitable for interior remodeling walls. The simplest method is adding a second layer of drywall to create a thick, sound-deadening barrier.
You can partition the noisy room from the silent room by adding a layer of drywall on the shared walls.
You will need to repair and repaint the new drywall, and you will likely need to expand electrical wiring and switch boxes, but these are very simple and affordable do-it-yourself tasks.
2. Soundproof the Door
Proper door soundproofing needs labor-intensive renovation and considerable adjustments to the original door frame. The door and its components might weigh between 300 and 500 pounds.
Investing in a solid-core door or an acoustically certified entry is extremely expensive.
Below are several time-, money-, and energy-saving alternatives for soundproofing a door that is also cost-effective.
Filling the gaps
Unlike exterior doors, most interior doors lack weatherstripping. There is usually a gap beneath the door, as well as a gap that extends up the sides and over the top. By closing these cracks, you will reduce sound transmission.
Replace worn-out threshold
Over time, regular usage may wear down or weaken your current threshold. Fixing a new threshold, which may be purchased at the local hardware store, should prevent noise from leaking under the door.
Add densely packed vinyl
A mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) mat can provide effective soundproofing for those seeking peace and quiet. MLV draped on the door greatly lowers the noise that otherwise would travel through, even though it is commonly employed as a vibration cushion beneath the carpet.
The thickness varies from 1/16 inch to 14 inches, and the more perfect the thickness, the better the soundproofing.
3. Soundproofing the window
Soundproofing your house’s windows can aid in better sleep and reduce background noise at your home office.
Soundproofing your current windows would be the most efficient option.
Typically, soundproof windows consist of many layers of glass separated by air gaps. Milgard and other manufacturers provide soundproof windows that can replace your current windows.
- PROS: The solution is practical and visually beautiful.
- CONS: Expensive, and installation may require a professional.
Adding window inserts is an efficient and straightforward method for soundproofing windows. Window inserts help attenuate and dampen noise by up to 70% and 50%, respectively, when installed over single-pane windows/ double-pane windows, respectively.
Indow Windows’ window inserts are an ideal example of window inserts.
It is simple to soundproof windows in an office or home by pushing the inserts into the existing window frame. Instead of hardware like tracking, Indow employs its proprietary silicone compression tube to hold window inserts in place.
The Indow inserts are trimmed with a patented silicone compression tube to provide a 99.9% airtight seal.
A precise fit is necessary for soundproofing a window, as gaps and voids enable sound to enter. This tight fit also offers a more pleasant and energy-efficient environment, while the low profile virtually disappears and neatly fits into the window frame.
Use acoustical caulk
Outside noise can enter the residence if there are tiny gaps between the window and the wall. In this instance, soundproofing a window needs caulking, especially acoustical caulk.
This caulk is a latex-based, soundproofing solution that helps decrease outside sounds. The caulk is more flexible than ordinary silicone caulk and adheres to the most window frame and wall components. Before applying, any existing silicone caulk must be removed.
Curtains
Curtains that absorb sound are another option for minimizing outside noises. These curtains are made of dense, heavy fabrics such as velvet and are layered with noise-absorbing materials such as vinyl.
Instead of reducing louder noises, soundproof drapes are more effective in reducing light noise pollution and cutting down echoes. Curtains are available in various colors and normally cost between $20 and $60 per panel.
4. White Noise Machine
A white noise machine generates soothing noises, which in many cases sound like a flowing waterfall or gentle breeze through trees, as well as other tranquil or natural sounds.
Frequently, these devices do not generate white noise, which has a harsh sound but produces pink noise, whose strength decreases at higher frequencies, or other hues of noise.
There are two sorts of white noise machines: those that play white noise in a loop and those that generate sound.
A white noise machine employs sound masking to prevent these sounds from interfering with your sleep. Many people, including light sleepers, city dwellers, and ICU patients, have a significantly greater chance of having a restful night’s sleep using a white noise machine.
Additionally, white noise can help your baby fall asleep, and several sound devices are designed exclusively for infants. They are attached to cribs and include nightlights and baby-friendly features such as kid locks.
5. Hang Soundproof Curtains
If you have a canopy bed or a bed tent, I would highly advise you to get some soundproofing curtains like the NICETOWN High-End Thermal Curtains. They are made of thick and dense materials that help absorb noise and block out harmful sun rays.
These sound reducing curtains are said to be 2 times more effective in cutting down noise as well as reducing light, allowing you to enjoy more hours of sleep in the morning after a late-night out.
They have a 2 layers design that also balances the room temperature helping in thermal insulation. By thermal insulation, it doesn’t mean that they trap heat inside but instead help in temperature regulation keeping the heat out during summer and cool air in during the summer.
The best part with soundproofing curtains is that you can simply unhang them in the morning and hang them on the windows of your living room or office for maximum sound reduction.
If you can’t get your hands on soundproofing curtains, you can as well use room divider curtains. These curtains are thick and help noise reduction though they aren’t as effective as noise-reducing drapes.
6. Acoustic Blankets
Like soundproofing curtains, acoustic blankets are fantastic in helping reduce sound transmission. These aren’t your ordinary moving blankets; they are made of dense and thick materials that reduce sound transmission and provide total blackout.
It’s important to note that there are two types of soundproofing blankets, one intended for use in the outdoor environment while the other intended for use indoors.
A perfect example of an indoor sound blanket is the US Cargo Control Large Sound Blanket made from woven polyester/cotton shell around 100% recycled cotton. It features grommets that make hanging it on your bed relatively easy.
Outdoor blankets such as BBC-EXT-R-2 Noise Barrier/Sound Absorber Sound Blankets are perfect for use in the outdoor world. You can hang them in your garage when working with loud power tools. They are a perfect alternative to acoustic mobile soundproof tents.
However, it’s important to note that sound blankets only dampen noise and don’t block it. Damping means that the sound blankets will reduce the outside noise resonance, reducing overall sound. That’s why sound blankets won’t rid 100% of the noise problem but will absorb noise and reduce it to manageable levels.
7. Soundproof Sleep Pod
Though not cheap, a soundproof sleeping pod is one of the best alternatives you can get on the market today. These futuristic bed pods come with everything you’ve ever wished for in a bed. Some have lights that match the rhythm pattern of your heart. They also have a built-in speaker that allows the user to play white noise music to help in relaxation and quiet sleep.
Because of their high price range- they cost $1000-$90,000 depending on the unique features, you won’t find these units in homes. They are purchased by giant brands like Facebook, Cisco Systems, Google, etc., to help their employees enjoy quick naps between long work shifts.
- Quiet bed frames that don’t squeak
- 9 Ideas on how to fix a squeaky box spring
- 7 Quietest box spring models on the market
- What are Soundproof Sleeping Pods and How Do They Work?
8. Sleeping Earplugs
The cheapest option to soundproof a bed is to purchase some sleeping earmuffs. They can significantly improve the quality of your sleep, and unlike sound blankets or curtains, they can block out sounds such as noise from your sleeping partner or nearby traffic.
While the earplugs are perfect and affordable ways to blocking ears, long term use of these tiny devices can cause earwax buildup.
Can You Really Soundproof a Bed?
Soundproofing a bed is quite possible, but the results you get are far from the true meaning of soundproof. This means that you won’t achieve a 0-decibel situation. Instead, you’ll be able to reduce noise to manageable levels allowing you to enjoy a relatively quiet sleep.
But we must approach two soundproofing scenarios to better understand how effectively the soundproofing methods work. The first scenario refers to when you have a squeaky bed and want to make it squeakless such that your next nosy neighbor won’t hear your noisy late-night escapades with your partner.
The second scenario refers to making your bed an instrument blocking outside noise. For example, you live in a noisy neighbourhood where nightclubs and traffic operate around the clock. These two scenarios require different approaches explained below.
Sources:
- https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/benefits-sleep-more
- https://www.houselogic.com/remodel/remodeling-tips-advice/soundproofing-walls/
- https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-soundproof-a-room/9ba683603be9fa5395fab9089dadf23
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.