Soundproofing in your home: why it matters
When most people plan a renovation, they think about what they can see: cabinetry, flooring, tile, lighting.
But what about what you can’t see? Or more importantly, what you don’t want to hear?
Whether you’re finishing a basement in Kitchener, renovating a multi-generational home in Waterloo, or adding a home office in Cambridge, soundproofing plays a bigger role in your comfort than you might expect.
Let’s break down why it matters, and how to get it right.
What Soundproofing Actually Does
Soundproofing isn’t just about adding insulation. Done well, it’s a combination of materials and techniques that reduce sound transmission (noise traveling through walls, floors, and ceilings), and sound reflection (echoes bouncing around inside a room).
It’s not about building a recording studio, it’s about creating spaces that feel private, quiet, and intentional.
When Soundproofing Makes the Biggest Impact
Any home benefits from some level of sound control, but certain situations make it especially important:
Basement Renovations
Basements are notorious for noise transfer. Footsteps, movies, conversations. They all carry straight up through the ceiling. Insulating ceilings and using sound-dampening materials can make the rest of your home quieter and more enjoyable.
Multi-Generational Living
If you’ve got parents, kids, or extended family living under one roof, privacy matters. Sound isolation between bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces helps everyone feel more comfortable.
Home Offices
Working from home? You don’t want to hear laundry cycles, TV shows, or the dishwasher during meetings. Soundproofing keeps your space focused — and your calls private.
Media Rooms or Music Spaces
A great home theatre or jam space only works if the sound stays where it should. Keeping noise in, and distractions out, makes for a better experience on both sides of the wall.
High-Quality Construction
A well-built home doesn’t just look good. It feels solid. Soundproofing adds to that sense of craftsmanship. Fewer echoes, fewer squeaks, more peace and quiet. If you’re investing in a premium renovation, this is the kind of detail that takes it up a notch.
Understanding STC Ratings
STC, or Sound Transmission Class, is how we measure how well a wall, ceiling, or floor blocks airborne sound (like voices, TV noise, or music). The higher the number, the more sound it stops.
STC Examples:
| STC Rating | What You’d Hear | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 25–30 | Full conversations easily heard | Thin walls, no insulation |
| 35 | Loud speech still clear | Basic insulated wall |
| 40–45 | Loud speech becomes faint or unintelligible | Upgraded drywall/insulation |
| 50+ | Normal conversation blocked, loud sounds muffled | Required for multi-family housing |
| 55–60+ | Excellent sound isolation | Media rooms, rentals, premium builds |
In Ontario, code requires STC 50 for shared walls in duplexes or multi-unit buildings, but in single-family homes, there’s no strict rule. That said, homeowners who care about comfort and quality almost always aim for higher.
What Affects STC?
Material density (thicker drywall or concrete helps)
Wall assembly (resilient channel, staggered studs)
Insulation type (mineral wool > fiberglass)
Sealing gaps (around outlets, ducts, and vents)
Number of layers (more drywall = better isolation)
To give you a sense:
A standard 2x4 wall with batt insulation and 1/2" drywall is usually around STC 35–37. With simple upgrades like mineral wool, 5/8" drywall, and acoustic sealant, you can reach STC 45–50+, which is a noticeable improvement in day-to-day life.
Soundproofing Materials We Actually Trust
Here’s what we use (and recommend) on renovation projects across Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge:
✅ Mineral Wool Insulation (Roxul or Safe’n’Sound)
Denser than fiberglass
Excellent for blocking airborne sound
Perfect for interior walls and basement ceilings
✅ Resilient Channel or Sound Isolation Clips
Creates a flexible layer between the studs and drywall
Helps stop vibration transfer
Ideal for ceilings and party walls
✅ Green Glue + Double Drywall
Green Glue is a sound-dampening adhesive between two layers of drywall
Great for media rooms, rentals, or anywhere extra privacy is key
✅ 5/8" Drywall
Thicker drywall noticeably improves sound blocking
We use it frequently on shared walls and ceilings
✅ Solid Core Doors
A huge improvement over hollow-core
Reduces noise bleed between rooms, especially bedrooms or offices
✅ Acoustic Caulking & Backer Boxes
Seals up all the gaps where sound likes to sneak through
Particularly important around light switches, outlets, and HVAC penetrations
Smart Design Choices That Improve Sound Control
Soundproofing is as much about design as it is about materials.
Here are some of the decisions we make early in a project:
Keeping bedrooms away from noisy areas like laundry or living rooms
Using staggered or double-stud wall framing when possible
Avoiding back-to-back bathroom fans or ducting
Choosing soft flooring (like carpet or LVP with underlayment) to dampen footfall
Including floorplan adjustments during the layout phase to reduce long-term frustrations
Cost vs. Benefit: Is It Worth It?
In most cases, soundproofing is one of the most affordable ways to improve your day-to-day experience in a home.
| Upgrade | Cost (per sq. ft.) | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral Wool Insulation | $1.25–$2.50 | High |
| Resilient Channel Install | $2.00–$3.00 | High |
| Green Glue + 2nd Drywall | $3.50–$5.00 | Very High |
| Solid Core Door Upgrade | +$150–$300 per door | Moderate |
For 5–10% of your reno budget, you can significantly reduce noise transfer and boost comfort, privacy, and quality, especially in multi-use homes.
⚠️ What to Watch Out For
Even with good materials, soundproofing can fall short if key areas are missed. Here are a few common pitfalls:
❗ Shared Ductwork
You can soundproof the walls perfectly, but if two rooms share HVAC ducts, sound will still travel.
Solutions: Line the ducts, offset the grilles, or consider ductless systems if separation is critical.
❗ Structural Flanking
Sound doesn’t only travel through walls. It travels around them, through framing and floors.
Solutions: Use isolation clips, resilient channel, and strategic layout design to break up paths.
❗ Gaps & Penetrations
Outlets, vents, and unsealed framing gaps are weak spots in any soundproofing system.
Solutions: Acoustic caulking, backer boxes, and careful planning eliminate these leaks.
Final Word: Build It Quiet. Build It Right.
If you’re already planning a renovation, whether it’s a basement, bathroom, addition, or home office, this is the right time to consider soundproofing.
It’s not just about peace and quiet. It’s about building homes that feel comfortable, private, and well-crafted, even behind the drywall.
We help homeowners throughout Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge create spaces that not only look great but sound better too.
Have questions or want help figuring out what level of soundproofing makes sense for your space and budget?
We’re happy to walk you through it. No pressure, just straight answers.
