Hello AT,
I know you've posted a lot about soundproofing on your blog, but so far this particular issue hasn't been discussed in detail: Last week on the TV show, "Open House NY," they featured a soundproofing company called Acoustilog (a company mentioned several times on your website) who paid a visit to a woman complaining of hallway noise traveling into her apartment. Acoustilog recommended that she install a soundproofing kit to her door to quiet the sound. (Worked wonders!)
Here's the thing: I suffer from the same problem, so I called Acoustilog to inquire about the kit and installation...
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They said they only make recommendations; they don't do the actual installation.
So, my question is, where can I pick up one of those kits, how much
does it cost, and do you need to be a contractor to install them?
Thanks! Caroline
Dear Caroline,
Your question is a good one to post, but we DO suggest that you ask Acoustilog (below) what they mean directly. We know that Acoustilog is a consultancy and that they help hire folks to do acoustic work in both residential and professional situations. A "soundproofing kit" could mean many different things, but smacks of the DIY and affordable. It's either a silver bullet or it's not.
Anyone have a lead on "kits"?
Good Links:
• Acoustilog
• How To: Soundproof Your Home
• Good Questions: Best Wall Soundproofing Company?
Snap!
I need that door jamb soundroofing kit!
Hopefully, someone will be able to provide an easy source.
view art's profile
We've got upstairs neighbors who jumprope, kickbox, watch the Cartoon Network at deafening volumes, and fight. Do they make a ceiling kit?
view cmcinnyc's profile
Zero International makes a lot of soundproofing parts which you can attach to doors. We use them in a lot of our projects for a company that makes a lot of noise. I would think if you contacted them, they would advise you on the type of products you need for your door. It's www.zerointernational.com.
view Fingernail's profile
Ooh, we've got next-door neighbors who do the opposite of fight, pretty much every evening and quite loudly. I'd just be happy with some good earplugs.
view JR in Sweden's profile
They have good advice and materials here:
http://www.soundprooffoam.com/index.html
view meenasyaz's profile
http://www.soundprooffoam.com/quiet-door.html
view ryanpatrick76's profile
dag!
that's pretty harsh cmcinnyc. just wanted to say sorry.
(oh and sorry for "dag" too. art's "snap" brought me back to the good old 80's).
all i can think of is somehow affixing eggcrate foam padding to the ceiling.
good luck
view Lourdes's profile
I'm in desperate need of soundproofing as well--does anyone know if I can get my landlord to pay for it?
view mbodaya's profile
thanks ryanpatrick76,
that door kit is off the hook but it's almost 400 Benjamins!
Looks like I may try a roll of foam adhesive door insulation first.
view art's profile
McMaster Carr sells everything. Everything.
E V E R Y T H I N G
http://mcmaster.com
view coyotejed's profile
I should have thought of that coyotejed,
I used them for extruded aluminum u-shaped wallboard edging for trimming out my backsplash.
I ordered the pieces online in the morning and had the delivery in my hand that afternoon.
They don't mess around.
view art's profile
I'm going to use Green Glue to soundproof a common wall. I'll let you know how it goes.
Karen
view denverdigs's profile
I'm about to install a layer of QuietRock on a wall that separates my eventual bedroom from a teenager learning to play the electric guitar. Has anyone had any experience with this stuff? According to the folks at GreenDepot it is equivalent to 8 sheets of regular sheetrock in soundproofing quality, because of some clay polymer that its filled with. It's got a rating of .51 ...anyone know what that means, or if that's a respectable number?
Thanks
view HomoImprovement's profile
the picture in the post is either from this site or used by this site in their door soundproofing section:
http://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/doorseals/adj_doorseals.htm
and they seem to sell the biggest range of acoustics control products around - from green glue to ceiling tiles and soundproofing fabric.
there are a lot of pdf instructions online, but so far it seems you have to call to place orders.
view anklestar's profile
Many of these questions and more have been answered at the Super Soundproofing Forum at http://www.supersoundproofing.com
People give their experiences with methods and materials - no need to reinvent the wheel!
Specifics of soundproofing doors is at
http://www.soundproofing.org/infopages/soundproofing_doors.htm or better, Google the phrase.
The numbers mentioned refer to the STC of the assembley. STC means Sound Transmission Class, a number assigned through lab testing measuring a products ability to reduce sound. The higher number the better.
Be careful with those bandying about STC numbers. The items may not have been tested or the lab is suspect, or even no lab, just a software program making an estimare of it.
MLV (Mass Loaded Vinyl) and "Green Glue" have become the standard products for effective sound control - Google them for more info!
BJ Nash
Super Soundproofing Co
view bjnash's profile
Everyone--
Thanks for your suggestions and comments. BJ: Although you're shilling for your own company, I appreciate your comments and your website is very imformative! It looks like you guys have some great products!
-Caroline
view thelinus's profile
I had the same problem at my condo, so I sealed the door with weatherstripping. I went further by adding MLV soundproofing to the door itself. Then I covered it tin tiles, to hide the ugly MLV.
You can take a look at the project here on my blog.
http://soundproofingwithdave.com/2007/06/soundproofing-exterior-door.html
view Kavika's profile