The TikTok-Approved Way To Soundproof Your Home From Noisy Neighbors
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Are you being kept awake at night by a loud neighbor? Living close to your neighbors can be frustrating, especially if they are having noisy get-togethers or just simply walking around when you are trying to sleep. After talking to your neighbors first, if they don't make a change, you can report your neighbors to the leasing office or file a noise complaint with the city — but that might not help. Also, if the noise is coming from other sources like construction or nearby trains, reporting it may not be an option. Another solution is to hire a professional to soundproof your house, but that can cost thousands of dollars. You can also try to ignore the noise, but that might not be possible — no matter how hard you try. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with noisy neighbors and outdoor noise pollution, and TikTok user @pikefyre has a genius soundproofing hack. He places foam soundproofing panels on his door to reduce noise.
Not only are these panels great for soundproofing, they're also aesthetically-pleasing and can even enhance the look of your space. They are also removable, so they're rental-friendly and can be moved around if needed. Further, installing these panels is something that most people can do — even those that lack DIY skills. Finally, this is a very affordable and accessible way to soundproof a room, as the panels are pretty cheap and easy to find online.
How to soundproof your home
To soundproof your space, start by buying the foam soundproofing panels. They are also called acoustic panels, and you can pick them up at Amazon for $32 for a pack of 12 that are large in size. They come in many different colors and either squares and hexagons, so you can choose whichever shades and styles best match your living space. You can also mix and match colors, for a more unexpected look. TikToker @pikefyre used two different colors in his space — gray and black. You might want to buy some additional panels so that you have extra if you make mistakes when cutting them.
TikToker @pikefyre used the panels to cover his door and attached them with masking tape. If you use double-sided tape, make sure you use tweezers when handling it, as this will make it easier to attach. In the video, @pikefyre cut the panels to custom-fit his door. He had some difficulty attaching them near the doorknob but was able to get it. That's why it's a good idea to buy extra in case you make mistakes when cutting them to size. According to @pikefyre, attaching the soundproofing panels took him all day, so if you want to soundproof a room, make sure you set aside enough time to finish the project.
Soundproofing tips and tricks
TikToker @pikefyre says in the comments of the video that this method of soundproofing works for him and helps reduce sound. However, some of the other commenters noted that they have tried this method and it doesn't work. Remember that soundproofing doesn't completely get rid of noise, but it should help muffle sounds and make your space more relaxing. There are also some things that you can do to make these soundproofing panels more efficient.
Make sure you place the acoustic panels in the right place. You don't want to haphazardly place them everywhere. If they are incorrectly placed, they won't effectively reduce sound. They should be in line with wherever the noise mostly comes from. Besides on doors, you can also mount acoustic tiles on the walls and ceilings as well. For instance, if you have loud upstairs neighbors, attaching them to the ceiling may be the most beneficial for you. Additionally, you can combine soundproofing panels with heavy curtains, thick area rugs, and carpeting to further improve sound absorption.