3 Ways to Soundproof Joint Apartment Walls

Sometimes overhearing your neighbors can be a bad thing, especially if it is during intimate moments or loud parties. If you live in an apartment, it can be difficult to combat the assault of noise on your domain, because of the remodeling limitations. Thankfully, there are a few ways that can help cut down on the oohs and aahs that seep through the common wall. With a little bit of home-improvement know how, a staple gun, and a hammer and nails, your joint apartment walls can be great sound barriers.

Intensive Soundproofing

If you are super handy, consider building a false wall about six inches out from the common wall. Frame up a wall using two-by-four lumber. Heavily insulate the space between the common wall and the new wall before hanging sheetrock. Attach the false wall to the existing wall with heavy screws and nails to prevent it from falling. Be sure that the landlord is on board with the project and does not mind having a false wall nailed or screwed into existing walls. This project is definitely not a novice do-it-yourself apartment dwellers project and could prove to be extensive if there is a lot of common wall space to cover.

Vinyl Barrier Foam Composite

If hearing the neighbors is so troublesome that you are willing to invest in quality soundproofing, one of the best materials to get is vinyl barrier foam composite. This excellent sound barrier attaches to the wall with nails and can even be removed if you move. It can be purchased at most large home improvement stores but can be costly if there is a large area to cover. The sheets of foam are hung on the wall and then the gaps are sealed with caulk. If the caulk is not applied, the sound will seep through the cracks and the wall will not be soundproof. One great thing about vinyl barrier foam composite is that it can also be applied to the ceiling if the noisy neighbor in question is upstairs.

Minimizing Sound

If the landlord will not allow nails or screws on the wall, and the noise is just too much, there are some inexpensive things that will help minimize the sound from the neighbors' apartment. Begin by repositioning your furniture. Move sofas, chairs, and beds away from the common wall. Place the television or stereo along the common wall to help block the sound from next door. Another way to filter some of the noise is to hang heavy drapes along the wall in question. The heavier the curtain, the more sound it will be able to block. Although this is not a way to completely block all noise, it will help to cut down on some of it. The more you can hang on the common wall, the more material is there to filter the noise coming through.

Soundproofing joint apartment walls is a tough project, because of the limitations of living in an apartment. The freedom to build new walls, hang soundproofing material and alter the living space just may not be an option. Be creative in working within the confines of the things that can be done to make the best out of the noisy situation.