City apartment living definitely has its upsides—great food, culture everywhere you turn, and the convenience of having just about everything within walking distance. But when you're lying awake at 2 a.m., thanks to honking taxis or your neighbor's late-night karaoke session, all that charm starts to wear thin. Peace and quiet? Not always part of the package.
Sure, heavy curtains, rugs with padding, sealing gaps, and white noise machines can help. However, quick and easy steps are often not enough to truly insulate your apartment from outside noise. Proactive, effective solutions require some remodeling to a certain extent. But the good news? They work!
Noise-Proofing Your Apartment Walls
If you’re ready to take a more permanent step, focusing on your walls is a smart move—especially if you share them with noisy neighbors (or are the noisy neighbors).
Upgrade Your Insulation
In many apartment renovations, upgrading the insulation is a smart and easy addition—especially when soundproofing is a priority. Mineral wool is a popular choice due to its excellent sound absorption properties. Installed snugly between wall studs, it can noticeably reduce noise from neighboring units.
If you're opening the walls anyway, this is one of the best bang-for-your-buck upgrades you can make. Mineral wool and dense fiberglass are top choices for blocking airborne sound and dampening vibrations.
Bonus: They also help regulate temperature, so your energy bills get a break.
Revisit Your Drywall
Walls do more than divide rooms—they’re also a key line of defense against noise. One effective method for apartment soundproofing is to add a second layer of drywall with a damping compound, such as Green Glue, sandwiched between them. It acts almost like a cushion, soaking up sound before it can travel through the structure.
Not ready to commit to a full double-layer setup? Soundproof drywall is another option. It’s specially designed to block noise more efficiently than standard panels and can be easier to install, especially in smaller spaces.
Resilient Clips
If you're planning a deeper renovation, it might be worth asking about resilient clips. These small metal connectors help detach the drywall from the wall studs, which breaks up the path that sound waves usually travel.
On their own, clips won’t do much. But combine them with insulation and an extra layer of drywall, and suddenly, you’ve got a much quieter room. They’re the kind of upgrade you’ll never see—but you’ll definitely hear (or not hear) the difference.
Tips for Noise-Proofing Your Apartment Ceiling
If you live in an apartment, there’s a good chance your ceiling is letting in more noise than you’d like. Footsteps, thumps, and even late-night conversations from upstairs can echo into your apartmentis . It’s frustrating—but fixable.
- Add insulation between joists: If there is access from above, mineral wool can help absorb both airborne sounds and impact noise (such as heels or dropped items).
- Use resilient channels or clips: Just like with walls, decoupling the ceiling drywall from the framing can stop vibrations from traveling through.
- Double drywall with damping compound: A second layer of drywall, combined with a sound-absorbing product like Green Glue, adds mass and reduces vibration. It’s especially effective at cutting out voices and low-frequency noise.
- Seal every little gap: Sound loves sneaking through cracks. Use acoustic caulk around light fixtures, vents, and anywhere the ceiling meets the wall. Even the tiniest space can let in more noise than you'd expect.
Is it a big job? Yes. But if you're already planning an apartment renovation—or you're just tired of hearing every move your upstairs neighbor makes—soundproofing the ceiling can make your space feel completely different.
What Does it Take to Noise-Proof Floors?
If you live above someone else or in a multifamily building, floor soundproofing matters just as much. Here's how you noise-proof your floors:
- Acoustic underlayment: Install a rubber underlayment beneath your engineered wood flooring. It can cut down on the thud of footsteps and help muffle voices as well.
- Seal floor gaps: Baseboard gaps and floor penetrations are often overlooked. A little caulk can go a long way.
- Floating floors: These rest on top of underlayment without being nailed down. Because they aren’t rigidly connected to the subfloor, they transmit less vibration.
- Extra floor layers: If you’re doing a full reno, consider adding a layer of plywood or mass-loaded vinyl before installing your finished flooring.
Floor upgrades can be more involved than wall fixes, but if you’re already replacing flooring, it’s the perfect time to soundproof from the ground up.
Address the Noise Coming In Through Your Apartment Door
You might not realize how much hallway noise is coming through your front door until you start paying attention. Here’s how to fix it:
- Solid-core door: If you can replace your door, go for a solid-core model. It blocks far more sound than the hollow-core ones most apartments come with.
- Weatherstripping: Add foam weatherstripping around the frame to seal the area. Easy install, big difference.
- Door sweep: That little gap at the bottom lets in a lot more noise than you’d expect. A sweep or draft stopper helps seal it off.
- Curtain trick: If you can’t change the door, hang a heavy curtain over it. It looks decent and helps muffle hallway noise pretty well.
If you’re dealing with voices, elevators, or just general hallway chaos, upgrading your door setup can be a game changer.
Soundproofing Your Apartment Windows
Windows are one of the most common sources of noise intrusion—especially if you're facing a busy street. But there are plenty of fixes available, from simple to structural.
- Upgrade the glass: If you own your place, switching to double- or triple-pane windows can make a huge difference. The extra layers help block outside sound.
- Seal the frame: Even the best windows won’t help if there are gaps around the frame. Use acoustic caulk or high-quality weatherstripping.
- Use inserts: Use window inserts in a rental—they're removable, clear panels that provide an additional barrier against sound.
- Add heavy curtains: Thick, lined drapes aren’t just for style. They help absorb sound and insulate against drafts as well.
Combining a couple of these options can make a room noticeably quieter, especially at night.
How Much Does it Typically Cost to Soundproof an Apartment?
Noise-proofing costs can vary a lot depending on your apartment, but here’s a general idea:
- Small fixes (curtains, weatherstripping, rugs): $100–$500
- Room-by-room upgrades (walls or ceilings): $1,000–$3,000 per room
- Full apartment soundproofing: $4,000–$8,000+, depending on materials and labor
For a deeper look at what to expect in terms of apartment renovation expenses, check out:
If you're already planning a renovation, adding soundproofing during the process is often easier and more affordable than doing it later.
Do Soundproofing Improvements Increase My Property Value?
Soundproofing your condo or apartment might not always boost your official appraisal value, but it definitely adds something that’s just as important: peace and quiet. In a noisy city, a calm, quiet home can make a huge difference—and buyers and renters notice.
Additionally, many soundproofing improvements also enhance insulation. That means your space stays more comfortable year-round, and your energy bills may also decrease. Not bad for something you probably wanted anyway.
If you’re renting out your apartment, upgrading your sound insulation can be a big win. Tenants appreciate a quieter living experience—which can lead to fewer noise complaints, happier neighbors, and longer leases.
For additional ideas, read Fixing Up Rental Properties? 15 High-ROI Renovations to Increase Value.
How Block Renovation Can Help
Thinking about soundproofing but not sure where to start? Block Renovation connects you with contractors who actually get it. They’ll help you figure out what makes sense for your apartment and your budget—whether you’re just quieting down one room or going all in.
From planning to execution, they help take the guesswork (and stress) out of the process. So you can get the calm, comfortable home you want—without the usual renovation headaches.
A quieter home isn’t just a dream. With a smart plan, it’s totally within reach.
Written by
Block Renovation
Block Renovation personalizes home remodeling with free AI-powered design tools and a vetted contractor network, helping homeowners plan, visualize, and build with confidence.
