15 Ways To Soundproof Existing Walls Without Removing Drywall

When you are buying a home, it can be easy to forget about the noise. During a viewing, it can be difficult to tell just how noisy the space is going to be as you only spend a small amount of time there.

It is often only when you have moved into your new home that you can see just how noisy it is.

In particular, road noise tends to be something that a lot of people forget about until they move into their new space. 

15 Ways of Soundproofing Existing Walls without Removing Dry Wall

Thankfully, there are lots of ways that you can soundproof your new home. As the space is new, it is highly unlikely that you want to strip it back to the drywall.

So, we’ve put together this helpful guide to 15 ways of Soundproofing your home without removing the drywall. 

We’ve divided these into two categories: ways to soundproof your existing walls without removing drywall, and using the decor to your advantage.

So with no further ado, let’s take a look at these methods. 

Ways to Soundproof Existing Walls without Removing Drywall

Install another layer of Drywall 

One of the easiest ways to better soundproof your home is to install another layer of drywall. This is highly effective, and very easy to do using sheet rock and green glue to secure it in place.

This method is also a lot less messy than using nails or screws to secure the new layer of drywall in place.

The theory behind this method is pretty simple. Thicker drywall will provide better insulation, therefore reducing the amount of noise that can penetrate your home. 

Seal all the Cracks 

Another easy way to better soundproof your home is to seal any cracks or outlets. Sound waves are very clever, and they will take advantage of any possible point of penetration in your home.

An easy option is, of course, to enter through any cracks in your walls. So by sealing these cracks you will reduce the amount of noise that enters your home. 

Add a second layer of Drywall 

Alternatively, you might choose to add a second layer of drywall using channels and resilient clips.

The theory behind this method is the same as the first method we mentioned, however this method is slightly more effective. 

This is because you are creating a bigger gap between the two layers by using the channel. This will better absorb the noise, making it a more effective way to soundproof your home. 

Build an Additional Wall

If you don’t want to add a new layer of drywall, you could add a whole new wall instead.

This method is highly effective, but in most cases it is not possible as you will need a lot of space if you are going to add a new wall.

It will be more effective to do this as the new wall is totally independent of the existing one, creating a full sound barrier between the outside noise and the inside of your home. But this isn’t the most feasible option. 

soundproofing Existing Walls without Removing Dry Wall

Add Extra Blown-in Insulation 

Additionally, you might choose to improve the soundproofing in your home by adding extra blown-in insulation into the wall.

Blown-in insulation has a lower density than some other types of insulation which is why it is so easy to install this in your wall without needing to remove drywall.

It is also a very cost-effective method which is why this is a very popular way to soundproof homes. 

Add Mass-Loaded Vinyl

Another fairly easy method to use is mass-loaded vinyl. This material comes in thinly rolled sheets and has metal particles in its design to help soundproof areas.

This method would include installing the mass-loaded vinyl, and then another layer of drywall on top.

The mass-loaded vinyl will then stop the vibrations that penetrate the first layer of drywall from going any further, effectively soundproofing your home. 

Use QuietRock 

This method is fairly similar to installing an additional layer of drywall, but it requires you to use a specific product.

QuietRock is a type of drywall that is specially designed for acoustics, and because of this it is much more effective than regular drywall.

Use this in combination with the Green Glue Noise proofing compound that we mentioned earlier, and you will have a highly effective way to soundproof your home. 

Use Soundproof Blankets

If the noise that is entering your home is only a minor annoyance, then soundproofing blankets might be the answer.

These blankets are lightweight and simple to fit inside your home using nails or screws.

They are made of fabric and can be easily washed in your washing machine, and they are not a permanent feature, so they do not require a lot of work.

They also have the added benefit of improving the acoustics inside your home, so these are a great option. 

Hang Acoustic Fabric Panels 

On a similar note, you might also choose to hang acoustic fabric panels in your home to soundproof it.

Fabric panels are a little more aesthetically pleasing than soundproof blankets, so you might choose this option if you want a more permanent solution.

They are also great because they come in lots of varieties which means that you don’t need to compromise the interior design of your home for the sake of soundproofing.

Some of these panels can get a little expensive so you may want to check out some cheap room soundproofing ideas

Add Acoustic Foam Panels 

Similarly, you may also choose to install acoustic foam panels. These panels are designed to absorb sound waves and remove the noise, and they are fantastic at this.

So much so, that you will find acoustic foam panels installed in pretty much every recording studio all over the country.

They come in a variety of thicknesses, from 1-4 inches, allowing you to choose the one that suits your needs best.

If that wasn’t enough, they are also incredibly easy to install with little to no mess made in the process. 

Use the Decor to your Advantage 

Add Soundproof Curtains 

If you are looking for a more aesthetically pleasing option, then soundproof curtains might be the way forward.

Soundproof curtains look just like regular curtains, so you can make a real feature with these in your home, and they will also remove any unwanted noise.

They also come in lots of color and style options, allowing you to choose one that fits with your existing interior decor. 

Cover your Walls with Sound-Absorbing Fabric

Alternatively, you could make a feature wall in your home using sound-absorbing fabric.

These fabrics are easy to install using tacks, and can look incredibly beautiful once they have been fitted. 

These fabrics are designed to absorb the noise that enters through your drywall which prevents them entering your home. So not only is this a very pretty option, but it is also very effective. 

Use Acoustical Wallpaper 

Another pretty way to soundproof your home is to use acoustical wallpaper. This wallpaper is different from regular wallpaper as it is made with latex beneath it.

It is this latex that allows the wallpaper to have soundproofing qualities.

This is a fairly new method, but it is ever-growing in popularity as it is able to soundproof your home without anyone even realizing it is there. 

Use Soundproofing Paint 

Similarly, you may choose to use soundproofing paint to soundproof your home.

This paint has an incredibly thick design, which can make applying it difficult, but it has to be made like this in order to absorb unwanted noise. 

Once this paint has dried you will not be able to tell the difference between it and regular paint, which is why it is a great way to soundproof your home. 

Tactically Arrange Furniture 

Finally, you might choose to soundproof your home by tactically arranging your furniture. Sound waves use bounce points in a room in order for the noise to penetrate it.

If you can identify these bounce points you can use your furniture to break up the areas.

This will soundproof your home without you needing to spend a single cent during the process making it a great choice. 

In short, there are lots of ways that you can soundproof a wall without removing drywall. In this guide we’ve outlined 15 of the best options to get you started.