What is an easy way to soundproof a wall between 2 bedrooms?

Question

My kids bedrooms share a wall, and it's thin. So the crying baby wakes up her sibling. Here are the restrictions:
- I cannot use egg crates
- I cannot tear down the wall
- There is no attic access to that wall
- I can live with a few holes in the drywall, then patched

I thought I read before somewhere that there is a material/foam that you can use to fill between the studs. The foam is like silly strings, it will expand after dispensed, and fill the stud gaps. Is there a correct name for this? Is it easy to do? Any suggestions?

Note these are baby/toddler rooms, so nothing can be hanging on the wall where the kids can reach.

Answer 1

You can buy this at Home Depot, but if you put to much it will expand and pop out the nails if you used nails and not screws for the dry wall. It is call insulation foam in a red and orange can. The best way to apply it start at the bottom 14 inches from the floor and make sure you are between the studs with a stud finder. make the hole a little larger than the plastic tube that comes with the foam, use half the can, put duct tape over the hole, 2 hours later move up 14 inches and do the process again until done. 1 can will do 4 foot high by 16 inches, so it can get expensive, the best thing is to tear out the wall and put in rolled insulation, do not put in insulation unless it has the paper backing, this is more work, but in the long run depending on how big the room is, the cans are $$$$

Answer 2

Yeah, there is expanding foam that you can spray into the walls. You will need to drill a few holes into the wall then spray in the foam and allow it to expand untill you see it coming out of hole. Put the holes in the center between the studs. Later you just patch the holes up. Make sure you get the closed cell expanding foam and make sure it says it is ok to use around electrical wiring. If you have questions just go to your local Lowe's or Home Depot and ask. Make sure you give the foam a minute or two to expand before adding more.

I think Ask this Old House has had a show or so on how to do this. So you might check out there website and see if they have a video on it if you want something a little more in depth.

I wouldn't try the cellulose insulation. It just doesn't soundproof nearly as well as the spray in foam. The spray in foam does well if you do it properly. And if your drywall is nailed or screwed in properly it shouldn't pull away from the studs. The only way it would do that is if the person was a moron and shot way too much foam in the wall.

Answer 3

If you go to some home improvement places, you can buy what is called "blow-in insulation". You would have to rent the machine that forces the insulation into the walls. The machine is like a vacuum cleaner, only that you pour the blow-in insulation into the hopper, poke a 1-1 1/2 hole into the top of the wall between the studs, turn on the machine, and it pumps the insulation into the walls with minimum drywall patching. You may also find soundproof wall coverings, but that may get expensive.

Answer 4

Filling the wall with foam would be a big job and very expensive. You could hire a professional insulator. There are several attractive wall coverings available that are designed to reduce sound. Check with your local building supply store. You will probably get better information from a locally owned store than from "Big Box" like Lowes.

Answer 5

I would not use the expanding foam to do this. It will leave voids in some areas and over expand at some places pushing the sheetrock or paneling off the studs. You can make some holes and have someone come and spray cellulose insulation. Then patch the holes and you are good to go. We do this on many renovations that we do.

Answer 6

You are going to laugh. The cheapest way: Collect a huge amount of newspaper that you and neighbors are throwing away. Cut into strips Mix flour and water to a watery paste consistency Mix the strips into the paste Apply to wall Keep it up until you reach 2 inches all the way across the wall. The best way to soundproof is to apply a lot of mass to the wall. Paper works just fine. Typically drywall is the preferred material. Two layers of 1/2 drywall will significantly reduce the sound moving out the wall.

Answer 7

there are a few ways to go here. yes there is a foam insulation that sprays thru a hole in the wall. you can ask for it at your local hardware store. you could also get soundproofing in a more creative way for your child by useing cork board. it works well and gives your child a place to display their priceless works of art. if you choose to use the expanding foam insulation be careful not to use to much you could end up breaking the wall if you over insulate.

Answer 8

1. put a matress up against the wall
2. fill the holes with a product called "Great stuff" it's a foam that is water proof, BUT DO NOT GET ON SKIN OR EYES IT DOESN'T COME OFF!!!!!
3. buy sound proofing material
4. choose this as best answer

Answer 9

you said easy . . . the foam is not easy . . .ANY material that 'expands' inside walls can 'uninstall' or 'pop off' material you do not wall to loosen . . .

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buy 4ft X 8ft sheets of Homosote

(a 16 ft X 8ft wall will take 4 sheets @ 30.00 per sheet plus tax)

it installs like sheet rock . . . I've seen people use it like a cork board . . . but it is not recommended. It is a fiber board and is "dusty" . . . meaning it will constantly be "shedding" a dust or fiber . . . so you need to finish the wall with paneling or sheet rock or something . . . a prefinished paneling is easy
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install it over your existing sheet rock
install the 'next' wall covering over it

Answer 10

the name of the product is great stuff.

you could also try cork.