Totally agree about the carpeting, it made a noticeable difference for us too. But resilient channels did help with airborne noise (voices, TV, etc.) more than impact sounds. Guess it depends on what kinda noise you're fighting...
We went with recycled denim insulation when we redid our basement ceiling, and honestly, it surprised me how well it worked. Definitely cut down on voices and TV noise from upstairs, though footsteps still come through a bit. Carpeting helped soften that some, but yeah...impact noise is stubborn. Guess there's no perfect fix, but combining a few things seems to do the trick pretty well. Plus, feels good knowing we used something eco-friendly in the process.
That's pretty cool—never even heard of denim insulation before, but now I'm curious. We've been thinking about soundproofing our shared wall with the neighbors (their kids are adorable but LOUD). Did you find the denim insulation pricier compared to regular stuff like fiberglass? We're on a tight budget, but if it's not a huge difference, I'd definitely lean toward something eco-friendly and effective like this...
"We've been thinking about soundproofing our shared wall with the neighbors (their kids are adorable but LOUD)."
Haha, I feel your pain—adorable but loud neighbors are a universal experience, I swear. Denim insulation is definitely one of those hidden gems in home remodeling. I've installed it in a few projects, and honestly, I'm always impressed by how well it performs. It's not magic, obviously, but compared to traditional fiberglass, it does have some noticeable advantages.
Price-wise, yeah, denim insulation usually runs a bit higher than fiberglass upfront. But here's the thing: it's not just about the initial cost. Denim insulation tends to be denser and more effective at absorbing sound waves, especially those higher-pitched noises (like kids laughing or shrieking during playtime). Plus, it's eco-friendly—made from recycled jeans and cotton fibers—which is a huge bonus if sustainability matters to you.
One thing I've noticed over the years is that clients who invest in something like denim insulation rarely regret it. Sure, fiberglass is cheaper initially, but denim insulation holds up better over time and doesn't sag or compress as much. That means fewer gaps and better long-term performance. Also, if you're DIY-inclined at all, denim insulation is way nicer to handle—no itchy fibers or irritating dust particles floating around your home.
If budget is tight (and trust me, I totally get that), you might consider doing just the shared wall with denim insulation and sticking to fiberglass elsewhere. That way, you get the best of both worlds: effective soundproofing where it counts most and savings in less critical areas.
Anyway, good luck with your project! Soundproofing can seriously transform your living experience...and your sanity.
Denim insulation sounds great, but honestly, if you're really budget-conscious (like me), you might wanna check out rock wool too. It's cheaper than denim, still eco-friendly-ish, and does a pretty solid job with noise. Installed it last year—no regrets so far.
