Your Guide to Soundproofing in NYC

New York is the city that never sleeps. We have tips and tricks to turn your noisy home or commercial property into a sanctuary.

Dive into the art of city soundproofing in NYC. Everyone deserves a little tranquility amid the urban chaos!

Unique New York City Soundproofing Challenges

With a bustling population of more than 8.3 million people, it is no wonder that the city explodes with sounds. Noise impacts New Yorkers so much that scientists launched the Sounds of New York City initiative to tackle it. If you live or work in this metropolis, you likely know these city sounds:

• Street noise: NYC’s busy streets add to the cacophony of noise. Queens alone has five of the city’s six loudest streets.
• Public transit: Getting around is a breeze, with subway and train lines zig-zagging across the city. If you live near Grand Central Terminal or Penn Station, you understand the pain of noisy transport.
• Construction: As the Big Apple grows, noisy construction is all too familiar.
• Entertainment: Revellers flock to NYC for its vibrant entertainment scene. People pack into the many bars, nightclubs, music venues and sports stadiums. The sound of nightlife and street musicians can cause headaches for nearby residents.
• Architecture: New York is home to iconic brownstone townhouses. These historic homes have a vintage appeal but lack modern sound insulation.

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Soundproofing NYC Homes

Both homeowners and landlords face the same challenge — shutting out the city soundscape. Creating peace means soundproofing walls, doors, ceilings and floors. Remember that these solutions are best for landlords and homeowners — renters likely cannot make these adjustments.

Wall Sound

Sound waves can sneak right through your walls if you let them. Here are some tried-and-tested soundproofing methods:

• Rearrange furniture: Move that couch or bookcase against the wall to absorb sound. This will give your room a new look while keeping the noise down!
• Acoustic panels: These foam or fiberglass panels are your secret sound-absorption weapon. Mount a few to your wall for easy soundproofing. With various colors, styles and materials, you can find the perfect match for your home decor.
• Sound insulation: If you are feeling adventurous, you can create a gap between your drywall and the wall behind it. Then, stuff the space with an insulator like Quiet Batt® Soundproofing Insulation.
• Soundproofing system: For a complete soundproofing makeover, consider the isoTRAX® Soundproofing System. It includes sound-deadening pads and sound isolation rails.
• Acoustical sealant: Cracks are like a secret entrance for sound waves. Seal gaps with OSI® Pro-Series SC-175 Acoustical Sound Sealant to stop unwanted noise from crashing your party.

Door Sound

A closed door might seem like a solid barrier, but noise loves to slip through the cracks! Instead of splurging on a soundproof door, try a budget-smart option. Door sweeps, such as the Quiet Door™ Automatic Door Sweep, create a tight seal when you close your door.

For extra soundproofing, use the Quiet Door™ Adjustable Perimeter Seal to form a snug fit around the perimeter of your door. As a final touch, add some acoustical sealant around the edges. Or, kill all sounds with one kit. A Quiet Door™ Residential Door Soundproofing Kit includes an acoustic panel, perimeter seal, door sweep and sealant.

Soundproofing Ceilings in NYC

Are noisy upstairs neighbors or family members ruining the mooo-d? Soundproofing your ceiling may be the answer. You can install a soundproofing system and insulation for a new ceiling, much like you would with a wall. For existing ceilings, try these tricks:

• Furnish the room: A little creative decorating can help dampen sound. Add soft furnishings like sofas, cushions or rugs to absorb sound waves.
• Add another ceiling: Use hat channels to create a drop ceiling. Once you have the second ceiling, fill the gap with sound insulation material.
• Hang a baffle: A sound baffle is an acoustic panel that hangs from the ceiling to cut reverberation and echo. The porous material absorbs sound on both sides.
• Form a sound barrier: Use dense materials like mass loaded vinyl (MLV) or acoustic foam as ceiling tiles. These products stop noise transmission and absorb sound energy.

Floor Noise

Try these floor soundproofing techniques to keep the peace:

• Cut a rug: Lay down some cozy carpets. They absorb sound effectively.
• Install underlayment: If you can access the subfloor, consider adding an acoustic underlayment. It sits under the top floor layer to reduce sound transmission. The Impact Barrier QT Flooring Underlayment is ideal for tile, carpet or laminate. Rubber PROFLEX™ 90 Underlayment also works on stone, tile and hardwood flooring.

Commercial Soundproofing in NYC

In NYC’s booming landscape, a quiet commercial building keeps visitors and workers happy. Whether you own an office, restaurant or hotel, there are ways to craft a calm interior.

Improve Office Acoustics

From chatty colleagues to traffic, a noisy office can impact productivity and health. Don your detective hat to find where the sound is coming from, then try one (or all) of these solutions:

• Acoustic panels: These panels reduce echoes and ambient noise. Lightweight Udderly Quiet® 250 Series Acoustic Panels suit high-traffic areas like open offices. Customize these panels to suit any office decor.
• Hanging baffles: Installing the ultimate office soundproofing solution takes no time at all. Udderly Quiet® Anechoic Hanging Baffles add a touch of abstract art. They consist of high-grade polyurethane foam that absorbs echo to improve speech clarity.
• Partitions: Acoustic partitions offer soundproofing that is as flexible as a yoga instructor. The freestanding Udderly Quiet® Acoustic Partition goes where you need it. Use it to create office dividers and cut background noise.

Create the Perfect Restaurant Ambience

NYC is full of diverse eateries to suit every taste. When you cannot renovate, innovate! Try the following:

• Soundproof the ceiling: Follow the same techniques as soundproofing a residential ceiling. Try sound-absorbing materials on existing ceilings. For new ceilings, combine mass loaded vinyl and sound-isolating products.
• Add acoustic art: Acoustic panels can be more than functional. Transform any restaurant into a mooo-sterpiece with art acoustic panels for a stylish way to stop sound waves.
• Put in partitions: You can change the restaurant layout to separate noisier areas. Or, with sound-absorbing partitions, protect diners from noisy point-of-sale areas and server noise.
• Rearrange the space: Move soda or loud machines away from the dining area. Rugs, tablecloths or other soft furnishings can also abosorb sound.

Hotels in NYC

NYC tourists and business travelers seek a quiet place to get a good night’s sleep. Hotels can set up an inviting environment by soundproofing:

• Doors: Stop noise from entering through doors with door sweeps and perimeter seals.
• Floors: Consider thick carpeting that is kind to feet and sound. You could install a concrete slab or floating floor to dampen noise, but it can be pricey. Adding a soundproofing flooring underlayment between the floor and carpet is more cost-effective.
• Ceilings: Adding underlayment to the floor above may solve your noise problem. You can fill drywall gaps with sound-insulating mineral wool or install a second ceiling.
• Walls: To reduce noise transmission, increase wall thickness or add a second drywall layer. Use a material like mass-loaded vinyl between drywall layers. You could also try resilient channels to cut vibrations or mount acoustic panels.

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Get Everything You Need for Soundproofing in New York City

Here at Soundproof Cow, we love MOO York! Our premium soundproofing products take a bite out of urban noise in the Big Apple. Get in touch for a complimentary acoustical analysis. Our herd of experts can identify the noise sources and suggest effective solutions. Reach out today for city-proof sound-dampening!