Here’s How You Can Soundproof An Apartment, Even in NYC

In case you haven't heard for yourself, noise complaints in New York City are peaking in recent years. According to the Office NYC State Comptroller report, New York City received over 610,000 noise complaints in 2024, marking a 19% increase from the previous year. One solution to the problem? Soundproofing your apartment.

But drowning out the sounds of sirens, jackhammers, and thumping bass isn’t the only reason you might choose to soundproof your living space. Maybe you’re tired of hearing your neighbors’ conversations through thin walls. Or maybe you want to be a good neighbor and avoid keeping people awake with your late-night lifestyle, your children and pets, or a remodeling project.

Whatever your reasons, soundproofing your home doesn’t need to be a stressful undertaking if you take the proper precautions.

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How to Block Out the Noise

When soundproofing a NYC apartment, the first step is to discover, why?

For example, do you entertain large groups of friends often? Do you enjoy listening to music or watching movies with state-of-the-art equipment and surround sound? Do you have children or pets, or do you plan to add to your family? If you work from home, do you conduct confidential calls in which you discuss sensitive information?

A reliable full-service contractor will ask these questions while noting specific site conditions. Plaster, sheetrock, concrete ceilings, wood frames, and more can all affect the soundproofing process. There’s no off-the-shelf or one-size-fits-all solution to soundproofing a condo or apartment, so choose a contractor that gets to know your project first.

If soundproofing is required for any of our full-home design & build jobs, we provide clients with a variety of options for soundproofing an apartment ceiling in Manhattan, even if it’s concrete or soundproofing hardwood floors in a Brooklyn condo. We recommend applications based on each project’s unique context, character, and needs. Some of our most common recommendations include the following elements:

Decoupled Ceilings: A Soundproofing Solution for Loft Living

In lofts with high ceilings and minimal separation between units, impact noise—like footsteps, dogs running, or kids playing—can travel through floors and beams, making ordinary insulation ineffective. To combat this, we install a decoupled ceiling, a system borrowed from professional sound studios. A separate ceiling frame is suspended below the neighbor’s subfloor, often including a hat channel, rubber membranes, acoustic insulation, and mass-loaded vinyl. Layers of drywall, paired with Green Glue, further attenuate sound. The result is a dramatic reduction in both impact and airborne noise, letting residents enjoy peace and quiet even in dense, active buildings. See below as Avi explains the process live from our Brooklyn renovation at 85 North 3rd - a Williamsburg soaring condo with 14' ceilings.

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Sound attenuation layers for new flooring

Most NYC condo and co-op boards mandate that when residents install new floors, they install a sound attenuating layer along with it. The layer rests between the wood floor and the subfloor, and it greatly reduces the sound and vibrations that would otherwise filter through to neighboring condos or co-ops. Because it’s often a requirement, this step is also one of the most common soundproofing applications we recommend.

Blanket insulation with double sheetrock

Another strategy we often recommend is to apply blanket insulation on the studs inside of walls, along with double sheetrock. Though this isn’t quite an off-the-shelf process, it’s the closest you’re going to get. It’s the most basic way to soundproof the walls of an apartment, but it does provide partial sound absorption. See Avi explain how we installed double sheetrock at the same condo renovation in Williamsburg as above - specifically designed to keep the peace by minimizing noise from neighboring units.

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Soundproof sheetrock

Soundproof sheetrock is more expensive than regular sheetrock, but it’s a much better option for anyone looking for a serious soundproofing solution. QuietRock offers two-way soundproofing and is the material we typically choose for our residential renovations that require soundproofing.

Soundproof paint

Though relatively new, soundproof paint is already largely used in commercial settings like hotel rooms. SoundGuard isn’t as effective as soundproof sheetrock, but it’s estimated to reduce noise by about 30 percent, which makes it a better option for individual rooms instead of an entire apartment.

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Acoustical duct wrap for HVAC systems

The noise from older central heating and air systems can be a constant nuisance, but acoustical duct wrap can be an excellent choice for eliminating it. Wrapping the air ducts reduces the sound and vibration of the air traveling through them and reduces the sound made by the air handlers.

Acoustic sound panels and bass traps for special applications

We also recommend special applications, such as Auralex sound panels and bass traps, for optimal two-way soundproofing. They’re often used in recording studios, but they come in several decorative options for those who enjoy loud music or being fully immersed in movies. That way, you can minimize the sound that escapes from your living space without sacrificing your style.

A lot of cities have a problem with noise, but with a population of 8.55 million people sharing about 778 square miles of land, New York City’s noise problem is notorious. If soundproofing is essential to your upcoming, full-scale NYC home renovation, our dedicated and experienced design-build team will be able to help you find solace in your dream home and block out the noise for good.

Learn more about Gallery, view a portfolio of our renovations in NYC, or contact us to set-up your initial consultation and see why our New York City apartment renovation and remodeling services are the most mindful choice when considering a residential renovation in Manhattan or Brooklyn.