I actually did something similar last year—had some insulation put in the ceiling because my upstairs neighbor was apparently training elephants up there every morning. It helped somewhat, but didn't completely solve the issue. After a few weeks of still waking up annoyed, I ended up buying a white noise machine (just one of those cheaper ones off Amazon). Honestly, layering both did make a noticeable difference. Neither alone was perfect, but together they managed to dull the thuds enough that I could sleep through most mornings.
I don't think it's overkill either... just depends on how sensitive you are to noise and how much you're willing to spend. The insulation upgrade wasn't exactly cheap, but the white noise machine was affordable and really boosted the effectiveness. Have you tried fans or background music yet? Curious if those would be just as good as white noise machines...
Fans and music can help a bit, but they're usually not as effective as dedicated white noise machines. Fans are decent at masking higher-pitched noises but don't do much for thumps or vibrations. Music... well, depends on your sleeping style. I found myself paying attention to lyrics or melodies, so it actually kept me awake longer. If you're sensitive to noise, a simple white noise machine is probably your best bet—steady, neutral sound that your brain tunes out easily.
"Fans are decent at masking higher-pitched noises but don't do much for thumps or vibrations."
Exactly this. I've remodeled a few rooms myself, and insulation can definitely help with muffling voices or TV sounds, but those deep bass vibrations or footsteps... not so much. Still, every bit helps, so it's worth trying.
Yeah, insulation helps, but bass vibrations are tricky...they travel through structures easily. If you're noticing those thumps, maybe try adding some mass-loaded vinyl or decoupling drywall? Curious if anyone's experimented with those methods and seen decent results.
Mass-loaded vinyl and decoupling drywall can help, sure, but honestly, they're not always worth the hassle or cost. I've flipped a few houses where noise was an issue, and found that sometimes simpler solutions—like rearranging furniture or adding heavy curtains and rugs—can surprisingly reduce bass vibrations. Bass is stubborn, travels through everything, and even with decoupling, you'll still feel some of it. Plus, decoupling drywall can eat into your room space and budget pretty quickly.
If you're really sensitive to bass, it might be worth it, but I'd suggest trying simpler fixes first. I once spent a ton on soundproofing a basement only to realize later that just repositioning the speakers upstairs would've saved me a lot of trouble...and money.
