In order to soundproof effectively you need to first understand what kind of noise you are dealing with. Typically, most of the home noises come from two main categories, let’s take a look:
Airborne noise consists of voices, music, and television noises. These sounds move through the air and can easily get past poorly insulated walls, doors, and windows.
Impact noise goes through a building's structure, such as footsteps, dropped items, or pipe movements. It is more difficult to isolate, since it goes through the ceilings, floors, and wall studs.
The moment you fully understand the difference you will know how to choose the right materials and techniques. If you're dealing with persistent or specific noise issues, such as loud pipes, humming appliances, or neighbourhood noise, take a look at our guide on common household noise problems and how to solve them, where the top 10 household noises are addressed.