Soundproofing Spray Foam For Existing Walls

Spray foam insulation seems like a quick, simple way to fill any gaps in the construction of your home. It is commonly used for heat regulation, but can it also block sounds?

Let’s find out whether spray foam can be used as a soundproofing method.

Are you looking to soundproof the ceiling of your basement? If so we have you covered in our guide to the best soundproof insulation for basement ceiling.

Does Spray Foam Insulation Reduce Noise?

Spray foam is installed in homes for thermal insulation. It is a construction material mainly used for regulating the temperature of a house, but it can also deaden some sounds.

You can use the best soundproofing methods for walls, floors, and ceilings, but your room will still let in sounds through windows and doors. Spray foam insulation can seal any gaps or cracks around doors and windows, creating a more airtight seal.

Since spray foam blocks air from traveling through windows and doors, it also blocks sound waves. Although spray foam was not made specifically for soundproofing, it can reduce some noise.

You shouldn’t rely on spray foam as your only soundproofing method. It can seal the spaces which some sound might travel through, but it won’t fully soundproof a room. It’s best used when combined with other methods.

What Kind of Foam is Best For Soundproofing?

Spray foam insulation is a polyurethane material that can either have an open-cell or closed-cell construction. For more soundproofing qualities, use open-cell foam insulation.

Closed-cell insulation has low noise-deadening ratings. You might expect that a more rigid foam would be able to block more sounds, but closed-cell foam is not as resistant to sounds. This is not very efficient in soundproofing a room.

However, open-cell foam insulation performs better. The open cells make the material softer, with more flexibility. Because of this, it can absorb some sounds.

If you’re looking to fully soundproof a room, you might want to look at other options. Although open-cell spray foam can provide some insulation against noise, it is not the best performing method for noise reduction.

Can You Spray Foam Without Removing Drywall?

You can soundproof windows and doors without ever removing the drywall. This is a fairly simple process that only requires you to remove the window or door frame.

Beneath the casing around a door or window, there is usually a gap left between the door and the drywall. This space can allow air, and therefore noise, into a room. Spray foam insulation can fill this space, allowing you to have a quieter home.

First, remove the door frame. Then spray the foam into the space, spraying from the bottom to the top. This makes sure the foam can sit on top of itself, rather than dripping down the frame.

Applying foam into this space gives more density to the wall. Rather than having a space filled with air, spray foam creates an extra barrier against sound transmission.

Spray Foam Insulation For Soundproofing

1. GREAT STUFF Window and Door Insulating Foam

GREAT STUFF Window and Door Insulating Foam is a great, inexpensive way to seal air leaks in your home. If you’re looking for the best air-sealing solution for doors, windows, and skylights, this is a great method.

This foam sealant provides quick and clean water-resistant seals in an instant. It’s flexible, making it very easy to apply to any surface. You can use it between framework or more rough openings. After application, you’ll find that your doors, windows, and skylights are more resistant to the elements.

Its airtight and water-resistant seal will not bow any window or door frames. The GREAT STUFF insulating foam was specially formulated to be soft and flexible even after curing because it is minimally expanding with a low-pressure build.

Because it is durable and instantly creates a tight seal, this foam can easily stop drafts and other air coming through a window or door. This allows it to block some sounds as well.

Features:

• 2-pack of 16-ounce cans
• Yellow-colored foam
• Flexible after curing
• Expands and contracts with weather changes
• Dries in 5-15 minutes, trimmable in 1 hour

We Like:

• Inexpensive
• Easy to control
• Reusable
• Applicator straw allows for precision

We Don’t Like:

• The material expands quickly, so only fill about 50% of the space or it will overflow.
• Yellow color is noticeable
• You have to clean any overspray immediately or it will be difficult to remove.
• Foam can dry inside the applicator and make it difficult to clean and reuse.

2. Loctite Foam Sealant

Any gaps and cracks can easily be filled with Loctite foam sealant. This product will expand to fill any space as large as 3 inches in size. You can use this foam sealant in a variety of places, including windows, doors, HVAC ductwork, basement and crawlspace drafts, attic hatches, baseboards, and much more.

This foam offers high density, but also flexibility. Even if there is movement in the building materials, its seal will not be compromised. You also won’t have to worry about windows or doors bowing after application.

Loctite foam sealant is a polyurethane-based material that expands to fill and seal any spaces. It is easy to use and can be applied again and again for many different projects. This foam has a very strong adhesive, being able to bond with wood, concrete, brick, stone, and more.

Features:

• 12-ounce can
• White-colored foam
• Expands to fill gaps and cracks up to 3 inches
• Uniform cell structure for density and flexibility
• Tack-free in 8 minutes

We Like:

• Inexpensive
• Expands to fill large areas
• Dampens noise

We Don’t Like:

• Expands more than you would expect
• Messy application process
• Applicator nozzle is hard to clean

Final Thoughts

You can use spray foam in the gaps around the door or window casings to block sound transmission. Fortunately, you don’t have to remove any drywall for this process. You can simply remove the door frame, fill the gap with spray foam, and you’ll have a better sound barrier.

Although this can be a great soundproofing method for windows and doors, it shouldn’t be the only way to soundproof a room. Spray foam insulation is the most effective when combined with other soundproofing solutions.