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How to Soundproof Windows for Music

If you want to soundproof a room for music, the windows are the weakest link. If you line your walls with soundproof materials, but ignore the windows, all your work and expense will do little good. It's important to deal with this vulnerability to ensure that sound stays in the room, and outside noise stays out. As an alternative to having special soundproof windows installed, a cheaper, do-it-yourself solution is to "plug" the windows. This process blocks light as well as sound, but it is fairly effective.

Things You'll Need

  • Caulking tube and gun
  • Sharp blade (e.g., box cutter)
  • Tape measure
  • Thick, dense foam (polyethylene or acoustic foam---minimum 2" thickness)
  • Adhesive glue or tape (optional, but recommended)
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Instructions

  1. Plugging your window

    • 1

      Seal any openings around the edges of the window using caulking. Make sure there is no air draft around the window; where air gets through, sound also gets through. If the window is already well-sealed, you may skip this step.

    • 2

      Measure the height and width of the window frame. Be as precise as possible.

    • 3

      Use a blade to cut your foam to the exact dimensions of the window frame. Again, be as precise as possible, and cut as straight as possible. The goal here is to plug the window frame completely with the foam, so it must fit snugly.

    • 4

      Insert the foam into the window frame, leaving as much space as possible between the foam and the windowpane. Do not put the foam flush against the window; the air pocket between them forms an additional sound barrier. Make sure the foam fits snugly in the frame.

    • 5

      Use adhesive glue or strong adhesive tape to seal around the edges of the foam. This is an optional step, but provides added sound dampening. The idea is to treat the foam as if it were now the window, and use the glue or tape to "caulk" the edges. Glue is permanent; tape is less so. If you need to be able to remove the foam, you may skip this step as long as the foam is very snug in the window frame, with no gaps.

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