10 Things to Consider When Buying Noise Barrier Solution

I recently worked with a customer who had just moved into a busy apartment complex. The constant noise from neighbors and street traffic was making it difficult for her to concentrate while working from home. She was convinced that effective soundproofing was out of her budget, but after discussing her options, we found affordable solutions that significantly reduced noise without breaking the bank. Whether you’re looking to create a quieter home, office, or apartment, you don’t need to spend a fortune.

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In this article, we’ll explore the best cheap soundproofing materials and how to use them effectively, including cost-effective products from Acoustical Solutions to help you achieve optimal noise reduction without exceeding your budget.

Understanding Budget Soundproofing

When looking for cheap soundproofing materials, it’s important to understand the difference between soundproofing and sound absorption:

• Soundproofing: Blocks sound transmission from entering or leaving a space.
• Sound absorption: Reduces echoes and reverberation to improve sound clarity.

The key to budget-friendly soundproofing is selecting materials that offer the best balance between cost and effectiveness. Below are some of the cheapest and most effective soundproofing materials available today.

10 Best Affordable Soundproofing Materials

Finding the right soundproofing materials on a budget can be a challenge, but with the right approach, you can significantly reduce noise without overspending.

1. Mass-Loaded Vinyl (MLV) – Best for Blocking Sound

AudioSeal® Mass Loaded Vinyl is a great option when you need a thin yet heavy sound barrier to block airborne noise. While it’s more affordable than some high-end soundproofing materials, it remains highly effective for walls, ceilings, or floors. If you need a cost-effective way to reduce sound transmission, installing MLV is an excellent choice.

2. Soundproof Blankets – Best for Temporary Noise Control

For those needing a flexible and temporary solution, PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blankets are an affordable way to block and absorb sound. These blankets can be hung on walls, doors, or windows, providing a reusable and cost-effective noise reduction method.

3. Acoustic Foam Panels – Best for Reducing Echo

When your biggest issue is echo and reverberation, AlphaSorb® Acoustic Foam Panels offer an affordable way to improve room acoustics. These foam panels are ideal for home offices, recording studios, and entertainment spaces, helping to reduce sound reflections without breaking the bank.

4. Weatherstripping Tape – Best for Sealing Gaps

Gaps around doors and windows can let in a surprising amount of noise. An easy and inexpensive fix is using weatherstripping tape to seal these openings. This simple solution prevents sound leaks, making it an effective, low-cost option for budget-conscious soundproofing.

5. Carpet and Rugs – Best for Impact Noise Reduction

Hard surfaces like tile and hardwood floors tend to amplify sound, so adding thick rugs or carpets can make a big difference in reducing footstep noise. Placing rugs with extra padding under furniture or in high-traffic areas can significantly improve sound absorption and create a quieter environment.

6. Moving Blankets – Best DIY Soundproofing Material

A great alternative to specialized soundproof blankets, heavy moving blankets offer an affordable and simple way to absorb sound. These can be hung on walls or doors for a quick and budget-friendly solution, providing noticeable improvements in noise reduction.

7. Egg Crate Foam – Best for a Budget DIY Solution

If you’re looking for a DIY-friendly material, egg crate foam is a low-cost alternative to traditional acoustic panels. While not as effective as professional solutions, it can still provide some level of echo reduction when attached to walls.

8. DIY Soundproof Curtains – Best for Blocking Window Noise

For reducing outside noise, thick, layered curtains work wonders. Acoustic Drapes & Soundproof Curtains are designed for noise absorption and blocking, offering a cost-effective way to soundproof windows and doors.

9. Bookshelves with Dense Books – Best for DIY Wall Soundproofing

An unexpected but effective soundproofing hack is placing full bookshelves against walls. The dense material of books helps create a natural sound barrier, reducing sound transmission without requiring expensive materials.

10. Door Draft Stoppers – Best for Soundproofing Door Gaps

One of the simplest and cheapest solutions to reduce sound leaks is using a door draft stopper. By sealing the bottom gap of a door, you can significantly reduce the amount of noise passing through, making a noticeable difference in a noisy home.

DIY Soundproofing on a Budget: Extra Tips

• Layer materials for better results. Use MLV behind acoustic panels to enhance soundproofing.
• Seal gaps and cracks. Use weatherstripping, caulk, and door draft stoppers to prevent noise leaks.
• Repurpose household items. Blankets, thick drapes, and bookcases can all contribute to cheap soundproofing.
• Target the loudest noise sources. Focus on doors, windows, and walls first for the most impact.

Affordable Soundproofing That Works

You don’t need to spend a fortune to achieve effective noise reduction. By combining cheap soundproofing materials strategically, you can create a quieter, more comfortable space without exceeding your budget.

Looking for affordable soundproofing products? Contact Acoustical Solutions for expert recommendations and high-performance materials to achieve your noise control goals!

Vibration damping techniques

There are 2 basic techniques:-

i) unconstrained layer damping where a layer of bitumastic (or rubber or similar) high damping material is stuck to the surface

ii) constrained layer damping where a laminate is constructed in situ – by far the better technique

Either re-manufacture steel (or aluminium) guards, panels or other components from commercially available sound damped steel or buy self-adhesive steel sheet from the supplier. The latter can simply be stuck on to existing flat components (inside or outside) covering c 80% of the flat surface area to give a 5 - 25dB(A) reduction in the noise radiated (use a thickness that is c 40% to 100% of the thickness of the panel to be treated).

Limitations

The efficiency falls off for thicker sheets. Above c 3mm sheet thickness it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve a substantial noise reduction.

Vibration damping examples

There are many successful applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries for noise control using high-performance damping (stainless sound deadened steel in particular as there are no hygiene implications for the treatment). Examples include weighing machine hoppers (10dB(A) noise reduction), vibratory feeders and conveyors (5 - 15dB(A) reductions) cowls and safety guards (3 - 9 dB(A) reductions) and complete close-fitting enclosures (e.g. homogenisers). In the case of vibratory separator noise reduction when grading confectionery, diagnosis showed that a major noise source was a large thin sheet distribution dome. Forming this component in stainless sound deadened steel contributed significantly to the overall noise reduction of 16dB(A) (from 105dB(A) down to 89dB(A)). Moreover, this modification could be incorporated into standard production machines at low cost.

Practical Design / Supplier

Constrained layer damping can be retro-fitted very easily for many applications. However, there are cases where some engineering development is required to get the most out of the technology e.g. building it into new or updated plant and machinery or combining with other noise control measures.

There are also design practices that should be used in forming, welding and in the choice of materials for more complex applications. Contact us for help in this area.

Supplier: SoundDampedSteel: www.sounddampedsteel.com +44 (0) 191 259

Manufacturer of a wide range of constrained layer damped galvanised steel, stainless steel, aluminium etc. Send drawings or templates for the damping areas and cut sheets can be supplied. Alternatively, you can buy complete sheets for local fabrication.

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Benefits

Low cost, large noise reductions, rugged.

Technique

Vibration isolation need not involve steel springs or rubber bushes. In many simple cases, mounting motors, pumps, gearboxes and other items of plant on rubber bonded cork (or similar) pads can be a very effective way to reduce the transmission of vibration and therefore noise radiated by the rest of the structure. This is particularly the case where vibrating units are bolted to steel supports or floors.

A high percentage of plant ostensibly “isolated” in this way is not actually isolated as the bolts short-circuit the flexibility provided by the pads. Any rigid connection across the pads will compromise the vibration isolation. In order for the vibration isolation pads to be effective, additional flexible elements (usually thinner layers of the same vibration isolation material) must be fitted under the bolt heads with load-spreading steel washers or plates as shown in the figure. Do not over-tighten the bolts, but make sure you use nyloc nuts or thread locking compound.

Limitations

Short-circuiting by bolts or other rigid connections is the most common issue. This approach does not generally reduce low frequency vibration significantly, but it is very effective at higher frequencies (above c 200Hz). If pumps, motors etc are bolted to steel plates, frames or tanks, then these behave as loudspeakers. The isolation prevents the transmission of the higher frequency vibration components, reducing the noise. However, if the source is bolted to the planet (e.g. concrete floor), then the isolation will not reduce the overall noise level – concrete floors only radiate low frequency sound.

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Whilst this approach relies on specialist knowledge for both the design of the modifications and the predictions of the attenuation, the knowledge that this award winning Quiet Fan Technology is available can not only dramatically reduce costs, but it can also reduce energy consumption.

Typical fan noise attenuation applications

Axial or centrifugal flow fans (from 10cm to 4m diameter).

Benefits

Low cost, rugged (no maintenance for the life of the fan), fast, hygienic. It often results in increased fan efficiency (10% - 25% improvement over conventional silencing) that can contribute towards net zero sustainability goals by reducing power consumption and therefore running costs.

Techniques

It is based on a similar approach to that used in Formula 1 where teams invest heavily in the design of aerodynamic aids to control the airflow round their cars. As fan noise is the sum of the turbulence generated pressure fluctuations in the air shed by the blades, we have developed a range of aerodynamic inserts that are installed inside the fan casing to smooth the flow. This reduces the pressure fluctuations – and hence the noise – at source without introducing the back-pressure often associated with silencers.

This not only reduces the tonal noise travelling down the intake and exhaust ductwork (typically by 10dB – 20dB), but also the noise passing through the fan casing. This may not only eliminate the need for silencers, but also the need for acoustic enclosures or lagging. In a significant proportion of cases, this approach can actually improve fan efficiency which means that it pays for itself in reduced running costs.

In addition, as the low frequency noise has been reduced at source, it is also often possible to insert low cost, purpose designed acoustic elements into existing ducts and stacks that provide a substantial reduction (10 – 30dB) in the broadband noise without affecting system efficiency.

Limitations

The amount of broadband attenuation that can be installed without fitting silencers depends on the local geometry of the system.

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Technique

Additional resources:
Nickel Wire Mesh manufacturer, supplier, exporter in Mumbai, India
4 Advice to Choose a steel grating

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Noise Barrier Solution. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Almost invariably it is possible to reduce pneumatic exhaust noise permanently by 10 - 30dB by fitting effective silencers. The following are the practical points that can make the difference between success and failure:-

back-pressure: for a well-designed silencer, the performance bottleneck is often the coupling – eliminated by fitting a larger coupling - and silencer

clogging: fit a straight-through absorptive silencer that cannot clog (and has no back pressure)

multiple exhausts: manifold the ports into a single, larger diameter pipe fitted with either a specialist straight-through silencer – or the rear silencer box from virtually any make of car (from your local “Quick-Fit”). Typically 25 – 35dB(A) reduction.

Limitations

None.

Download the Top 10 noise controls pdf with sound files here >

Suppliers: effective pneumatic exhaust silencers are available from:-

http://www.silvent.com/en-uk/products/?group=-safety-silencers

https://www.goodhanduk.co.uk/Catalogue/Exair-Air-Products/Air-Silencers/Straight-Through-Mufflers

http://www.servais.co.uk/products/silencers/sn112-medium-duty-absorptiv.pdf

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Technique

In most cases, it is possible to exchange existing nozzles (usually simple copper pipe tube outlets) for quiet, high efficiency entraining air nozzles. These will not only often reduce noise levels by 10dB(A) (or more), but they also use less compressed air (typically 20% less) for the same performance. Consequently, they pay for themselves quite quickly.

Also consider reducing the airline pressures wherever possible, running tests to determine the minimum pressure required for the job. This not only reduces the noise further, but it also reduces air consumption.

Limitations

Occasionally, space and performance requirements mean it is not practical to use an entraining nozzle.

Air lance nozzle change video example at https://youtu.be/9yzqaMHlvJ0

Download the Top 10 noise controls pdf with sound files here >

Suppliers: ranges of high efficiency nozzles are available from:-

https://www.brauer.co.uk/airmiser-nozzles-s149.aspx

http://www.silvent.com/en-uk/products/

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Limitations

It is not always practical to implement the quieter options (space, power transmitted, temperature…).

Suppliers: low noise toothed belts are available from:-

http://www.cross-morse.co.uk/timing_belt2.asp

http://www.transdev.co.uk/pages/belts/eagle/eaglepd_advantages.htm

Most of the major suppliers have quieter versions of their drives, usually associated with higher quality and performance products.

Download the Top 10 noise controls pdf with sound files here >

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Limitations

This approach can take significant time (and some capital) to implement if the motors are replaced gradually – although more rapid implementation is possible where the new units reduce running costs.

However, we also have a standard modification design that can be retro-fitted to existing motors that typically reduces the noise by c 10dB(A). Contact us for more information.

Download the Top 10 noise controls pdf with sound files here >

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Technique

The existing guards on many machines can often be simply improved to provide a significant noise reduction. The two key principles involved are:-

i) Minimise gaps: halving the open area (“gaps”) in a set of guards will reduce the noise by c 3dB. If you can reduce the openings (flexible seals, additional close fitting panels etc) by 90%, then a 10 dB noise reduction is possible. The graph above shows the trade-off between open area and attenuation. If the guard is made from steel with a theoretical attenuation of 42dB (see example shown on graph), looking up the actual attenuation achieved in practice with a total gap or leak of 5% (for the guard) gives a figure of 13dB i.e. the maximum attenuation will be 13dB. If you reduce the total gap to 1%, then the attenuation increases to 20dB.

In practice, the modifications can range from covering the whole of a mesh guard with steel or polycarbonate sheet, fitting a “roof” over simple vertical guards or blocking relatively small leaks round the edges of quite close fitting guards with seals or rebates.

In cases where hygiene is an issue, there are high hygiene sealed absorbent materials available such as Hygiene Advance A from:-

Ecophon: +44 (0)

http://www.ecophon.com/uk/products/Modular-ceilings/Hygiene/Hygiene-Advance--A-C3/

Custom Audio Designs

http://www.customaudiodesigns.co.uk/

Limitations

The law of diminishing returns sets in once you have closed the largest gaps and leaks, so there is a limit to the attenuation that can be achieved. Visibility can also be an issue that limits the area of acoustic absorbent that can be included inside guards. However, we have developed and used a few innovations for this type of application – contact us to discuss particular issues.

Download the Top 10 noise controls pdf with sound files here >

Further Information and Resources

Technical support for all these techniques and further case studies are available from us. Feel free to contact us or call to discuss particular applications.

For more extensive noise problems across departments or whole sites – the next step is to...

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