How to soundproof a HDB flat

What is soundproofing?

There are a few different types, styles and methods of soundproofing. Generally speaking, soundproofing is a process of limiting or containing noise in a given area. This usually means preventing noise from spilling out of a room – most commonly used for music purposes – or preventing noise from entering a room, which has become more popular recently for residential homes.

There are a number of reasons that soundproofing can be useful for apartment living. A soundproof apartment means that you have a lot more freedom with the noise you make and the times that you make it. For those who like to have rowdy games nights, live music, or loud movies playing through the night, this is a great way to avoid worrying about the neighbours. For people who don’t enjoy any of those things, soundproofing is also a way to escape them – with the right soundproofing system, you won’t be able to hear your neighbours whatsoever. You can also soundproof the roof and floors to muffle the sounds from loud upstairs or downstairs neighbours.

Benefits of sound proofing Singapore

For the above reasons, here is a list of the benefits that you can expect to reap from a soundproofed apartment.

• Better sleep
• More privacy
• Safety
• Less stress
• Better productivity
• Greater freedom
• More comfortable
• Better relationship with neighbours
• Peaceful environment
• More control over wake-up times/schedules

In Singapore, it is fairly common for families to have a soundproof door or a sound proof room. However, a fully soundproofed house has become more and more popular of late. Soundproofing all of the walls and ceilings in an apartment has a price range of anywhere from $1,500-$5,400 depending on the sound proof materials you choice and the extent of noise reduction you desire. The cost will also be influenced by how you choose to undertake the project; many Singaporean families are learning how to soundproof their homes themselves from DIY websites and YouTube tutorials.

There are a few specific areas in HDB homes that are commonly made soundproof for various reasons. Soundproof walls, soundproof windows and floor soundproofing are all common features of noise-conscious Singaporean homes. Here is a list of the most common projects and ideas around the home to improve your noise level.

How to soundproof your room and home: where to start

6. Sound proof door

One of the first things that people turn to when it comes to soundproofing is the front and internal doors. Front doors are usually the primary barrier between sound leakage inside and outside the apartment, so to reduce the amount of noise that pushes through you can consider installing an acoustic door.

Acoustic doors are a specific type of door design that limits the vibrations through which sound can escape. You can find acoustic style doors in most types, though the most common is a solid hinge or sliding door.

5. Acoustic curtains

A relatively new player on the field of noise-conscious design, acoustic curtains are soundproof curtains that will muffle the sounds inside a room and limit noise coming in from outside. They are cheap and simple to install.

Acoustic curtains are made from a special triple weave fabric that gives them a higher density than average curtains. They are often also thermal as a result, so can help insulate your home (especially when you have large, drafty windows. Acoustic curtains work best as a deadening product; they are not as effective at sound reduction as they are silencing noise altogether.

Read more about soundproof curtains and the future of acoustic design here.

4. Soundproof ceiling

Soundproof ceilings are the way to go if you happen to have noisy upstairs neighbours. For a HDB apartment, this will mean hiring experienced contractors who are familiar with the HDB renovation guidelines, as a soundproof ceiling is not the easiest DIY project. There are cheaper, less effective options that you could DIY such as installing noise plaster or acoustic panelling, but this can become an eyesore and may go against HDB renovation regulations.

3. Soundproof room

While many turn to soundproofing as a refuge from noisy neighbours, there is another time that soundproofing can help maintain peace at home: when the noise offender is a member of the family themselves. In this case, it is common to have just one soundproof room in the home where people can go to make loud noises at all hours without worry.

This is particularly common with musical households because these spaces can double as recording rooms, with sound proof boards improving the acoustic resonance of the room as well as shutting out background noise that may interfere with the recording. Another popular application is for a movie room, rumpus room for kid’s sleepovers, and bedrooms for teenagers who like loud music or gaming.

2. Soundproof window

Soundproof windows are a simple DIY project – you can even soundproof an existing window in a variety of ways. For an easy job, you can simply attach a piece of acrylic or glass over the top of your existing window (it will need a metal frame). This is the most straightforward and effective way to soundproof a window without needing to replace it.

Alternatively, you can hire contractors to professionally glaze the window for noise and thermal protection. Many turn to this option when their window fails to block distracting noise such as cars on a busy street below.

1. Sound proof wall

Walls are the number one areas that households across Singapore choose to soundproof. This is because noise that comes through walls is usually very difficult to ignore, especially late at night or early in the morning.

There are a few strategies to organically minimize the sound coming through walls, including using bookshelves and other furniture to create a denser barrier, but for a professional effect you should consider contractors such as Soundblock, who use a soundproof material known as Barrierboard to block up to 75% of the noise that would otherwise interrupt your peaceful home. Learn more about Barrierboard here.

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