How to Soundproof Your Apartment: Tips for Renters

Living in an apartment can be great for several reasons. It’s generally more affordable, you have the amenities you need, and there’s a sense of community. However, it can come with some downfalls, like ending up with loud neighbors or living in a busy city with noisy traffic. If you’re dealing with noise issues in your living space, read along to learn how to soundproof your apartment. 

Contents of This Article: 

• Does Soundproofing Actually Work?
• Assess the Weak Spots in Your Rental
• How to Soundproof Your Apartment
• Renter-Friendly Soundproofing Tips
• Find a Great Property Manager at BMG

Does Soundproofing Actually Work?

Soundproofing your apartment may sound a little farfetched. You may think there’s no way to block out the annoying sounds that seep in from outside. However, while you can’t completely shut out the noise (without using permanent measures like insulation), there are several things you can do to muffle it and make your life at home more pleasant. 

If you’re having noise issues in your apartment, talk with your Philadelphia property managers before doing anything drastic. They can help you identify the source, offer solutions, and potentially talk with your neighbors to see if they can keep their noise down. 

Assess the Weak Spots in Your Rental

Before starting any soundproofing measures, you’ll want to identify where the sounds are coming from. That said, some noises are obvious, like hearing your upstairs neighbor stomp or drag their feet. However, others may be harder to identify. Let’s look at some common weak spots to check in your apartment.

• Vents and Outlets- Vents or electrical outlets can spread noise throughout your apartment. You might be able to hear muffled sounds or vibrations, which can easily travel through the ductwork and into your apartment.
• Windows and Doors– Some of the most obvious sources of external noise are windows and doors. These often have gaps that can bring in noise, like traffic, music, construction sounds, or loud conversations. Check your apartment for large gaps in doors or damaged insulation in windows.
• Ceilings, Walls, and Floors- If you live in an apartment building with thin materials or poor soundproof insulation, you may be able to hear your neighbors or other outside noises. If this is the case, you can do a few things to muffle that outside noise, and we’ll discuss them below.

How to Soundproof Your Apartment

We get it–nobody wants to live in a space where they’re competing with outside noise. After all, renters have the right to quiet enjoyment. If you’re having issues with your rental, the first step is to speak with your landlord. They might offer some soundproofing tips or may be able to notify your neighbors of their noise levels. If they give you the go-ahead, here are some things you may be able to do to soundproof your apartment. 

Walls and Ceilings

1. Use Adhesive Strips to Hang Acoustic Panels– If sounds are coming from the walls, you can use removable adhesive strips or Velcro to attatch acoustic panels for walls and ceilings.
2. Hang Thick Tapestries or Quilts- An easier (and more affordable) way to block out sound from walls and ceilings is by hanging thick tapestries or quilts on the walls to absorb sounds.
3. Place Bookshelves Along Shared Walls- Placing one or more bookshelves along shared walls is a more aesthetically pleasing way to block out sounds in your apartment. This helps add mass to reduce sound and looks great too!

Windows

1. Hang Thick Curtains- Window treatments can sometimes help eliminate outside noises. If you can hear things happening outside your apartment, use tension rods to hang heavy, thick curtains.
2. Install Window Inserts- Another temporary, renter-friendly solution to block noise from your windows is installing window inserts. They can generally be installed and removed without damage.
3. Use Removable Weatherstripping- Sealing any gaps around window frames with removable weatherstripping is a simple and cost-effective way to reduce sound coming from windows.

Doors

1. Install Temporary Door Sweeps- A renter-friendly, cost-effective way to reduce sound from doors is to install temporary door sweeps, which can be attached with removable adhesive.
2. Buy Draft Stoppers- Similarly, renters can purchase and place draft stoppers at the bottom of their doors to block noise. This is a cheap solution with multiple uses, as it can also stop cold drafts from coming into their apartments.
3. Hang Soundproofing Blankets- Hanging soundproofing blankets for doors is an effective but more expensive way to reduce sound. If the solutions above don’t block the noise enough, you may turn to these as a last resort.

Floors

1. Layer Your Floor With Thick Rugs- Layering your floor with area rugs may be something you already do to decorate your apartment. Luckily, it has more than one use–it can help absorb sounds.
2. Use Interlocking Foam Mats- Interlocking foam mats can be a great solution if you need extra padding to help absorb noises. They, too, have multiple uses!
3. Apply Peel-and-Stick Carpet Tiles– You may want to get permission from your landlord, but peel-and-stick carpet tiles can be a great way to personalize your apartment and absorb noise.

Renter-Friendly Soundproofing Tips

While some of these soundproofing tips are noninvasive and safe for apartments, you may want to see what you can do about the noise before spending money on materials. Here are more renter-friendly soundproofing tips to keep in mind if you’re having a noise issue in your apartment. 

• Furnish Your Apartment- If you’re worried about noise during a walk-through or tour of an apartment, know that it might get better once you add furniture. An empty space may echo and amplify unwanted sounds from outside your apartment. However, furnishings can absorb some of the sounds.
• Talk Kindly With Your Neighbors- There may be a simple solution to ending your noise issue. If it’s coming from your neighbors, consider kindly speaking with them and telling them about the issue you’re having. They may not even be aware of their noise levels! If you don’t feel comfortable having this conversation, ask your landlord if they can.
• Invest in a White Noise Machine- While adding noise to help reduce noise may sound counterintuitive, using a sound machine can actually help. White noise machines can produce soft sounds that distract you from the unwanted noise around you.

Find a Great Property Manager at BMG

A great property manager knows you have a right to quiet enjoyment and can help you soundproof your apartment. So, talk with the property manager about any unwanted sounds you’re struggling with. They can help you work with the rental property owner to find solutions that everybody is happy with.

Need More Advice? contact us today!

Are you a renter looking for a new place to live? Check out our current listings and contact one of our property managers today!

If you’re a property owner looking for help managing your tenants and properties, Bay Property Management Group can help. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive rental property management services.