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Hotel Soundproofing

Hotel Soundproofing

Author: Eric Dellolio

Last Updated: February 9, 2024

Read Time: 8 Minutes

Hotel Soundproofing

Author:

Eric Dellolio

Last Updated:

February 9, 2024

Read Time:

8 Minutes

Author: Eric Dellolio

Updated: Feb. 9, 2024

Read Time: 8 Minutes

A weary traveler checks into their hotel room after a long day, anticipating (and needing) a restful night's sleep. But there’s no sleep to be had. They find themselves tossing and turning all night, unable to escape the noise from the bustling city streets or the too loud neighbors in the room next door. If you are a hotel that cares about good reviews and repeat business, you know you need to invest in better soundproofing. Soundproofing plays a critical role in a guest’s impression of a hotel. It’s the kind of thing that often goes unnoticed when it’s working perfectly, but is a huge headache when it’s not.

In this article, we will go deep on hotel soundproofing, discussing strategies and solutions for different hotel environments. We’ve got you covered, whether you are in the initial planning stages of new hotel construction or seeking to improve soundproofing in an existing establishment. Our experts can help you hit any level of soundproofing, and can recommend a variety of solutions to meet any goal or budget. Reach out to one of our experts to get a conversation started!

A weary traveler checks into their hotel room after a long day, anticipating (and needing) a restful night's sleep. But there’s no sleep to be had. They find themselves tossing and turning all night, unable to escape the noise from the bustling city streets or the too loud neighbors in the room next door. If you are a hotel that cares about good reviews and repeat business, you know you need to invest in better soundproofing. Soundproofing plays a critical role in a guest’s impression of a hotel. It’s the kind of thing that often goes unnoticed when it’s working perfectly, but is a huge headache when it’s not.

In this article, we will go deep on hotel soundproofing, discussing strategies and solutions for different hotel environments. We’ve got you covered, whether you are in the initial planning stages of new hotel construction or seeking to improve soundproofing in an existing establishment. Our experts can help you hit any level of soundproofing, and can recommend a variety of solutions to meet any goal or budget. Reach out to one of our experts to get a conversation started!

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Recommended Hotel Soundproofing Products


RC-1 Boost - RC-1 Channel Enhancer
Fantastic Frame™ Soundproof Window Inserts
Sound Lock™ Adjustable Door Seal Kits

Understanding Your Hotel Soundproofing Goals

Soundproofing is a complex issue, and each hotel comes with a unique set of challenges. Factors we consider include the building's architecture, location, and purpose of each room. As a basic example, we may need an entirely different approach for a multi-purpose room or conference room than the guest rooms. Our Second Skin soundproofing experts have experience tackling a wide variety of soundproofing issues. We can help you sort through the options to meet Impact Insulation Class (IIC) and Sound Transmission Class (STC) requirements, design rooms with optimal acoustics, or retrofit existing structures to minimize unwanted noise.

Soundproofing is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and we’re here to help you navigate your hotel's specific noise problems. Give us a call or submit your information to the get the conversation started!

hotel room soundproofing

How to Soundproof a Hotel Room

To effectively soundproof a hotel room, you must address all six surfaces of the room - the four walls, floor, and ceiling. If you leave openings, the sound will find its way through them “leaking” through the weak points like water through a bucket with holes in it. The bigger and weaker the gaps, the worse your soundproofing. And as we discussed a second ago… bad soundproofing leads to bad guest experiences.

Before diving into the details of each of those 6 surfaces, we’ll do a quick overview hitting the key steps in soundproofing a hotel room. If you are looking for the quick summary, these steps are it.

  1. For existing rooms, start by evaluating the noise issue. Where is the sound coming from? Is it from neighboring rooms? The hallway? Traffic outside? Determining the source of the problem determines the first area of treatment.
  2. The weakest points are air gaps. Sound travels really easily through the air, so if there are obvious openings (doors, windows, walls) – that’s where we need to start.
  3. For floors, carpet is generally preferred. For hotels using hardwood or tile flooring, you must use a soundproof underlayment like UnderBlockHD to minimize impact noise.
  4. For walls and ceilings, always use 5/8” drywall and acoustical sealant to ensure the wall is well sealed. To hit a 50+ STC, you’ll need to use resilient channel, mass loaded vinyl, or sound isolation clips. (We prefer RSIC-1).
  5. For doors, ensure the door is well sealed around the perimeter and the bottom. To upgrade an existing solid core door, use a Sound Lock Door Seal kit. For high-end conference and meeting rooms, check out our Sound Lock Soundproof Door (STC 56!).
  6. For windows, any window that can open is going to be a problem. We see this often in older hotels. Adding Fantastic Frame Window Inserts will reduce exterior noise through by the window by up to 80% and save up to 40% on your energy bills when done in the entire hotel.
  7. Most hotel rooms won’t have acoustical issues due to their size and how common carpets and curtains are. For larger rooms or rooms with lots of hard surfaces, talk to us about our acoustic panel options.

We’re here if you need us! Reach out to a Second Skin soundproofing expert for guidance based on your specific situation!

Step One: Soundproofing a Hotel Floor/Ceiling Assembly

When soundproofing a floor in a hotel room, you’re really soundproofing a floor-ceiling assembly. The goal is to reduce both impact noise (footsteps) and airborne noise (voices, the TV). Most hotels opt for carpeted floors, which is an effective and budget-friendly way to reduce impact noise. However, some high-end hotels choose hardwood or tile floors as a part of their luxurious ambiance. With hard surfaces, using a soundproof underlayment is critical to meet building code requirements and provide good soundproofing

UnderBlockHD is a high-performing rubber underlayment commonly used in hotels, condos, and apartments. It’s formulated to provide best in class IIC ratings, while also being able to lie just about any flooring directly on top, saving significant time on installation. If you are designing a new hotel or deciding to retrofit existing hotel rooms, UnderBlockHD should be a part of your flooring construction!

soundproof hotel room

Step Two: Soundproofing Hotel Walls

Soundproofing the walls of a hotel room is just as critical as soundproofing the floor. There are two basic recommendations that apply to everyone: (1) use 5/8” drywall (2) make sure the wall is well sealed. Acoustical sealant should be applied around any penetrations, as well as the perimeter of the walls, including behind the baseboard. You want to think about sealing up your hotel room like it’s a swimming pool – no water getting out!

Depending on the STC (Sound Transmission Class) requirements and owner's preferences, there are various approaches to soundproofing walls. We’ll do a quick recap with a good/better/best framework. For a good level of soundproofing, we’d recommend mass loaded vinyl or an RC-1 Boost isolator combined with resilient channel. If you're looking for a better solution, the RSIC-1 sound isolation clip is our “go-to” option for superior performance isolating and minimizing sound transmission. For the best results, you can combine several soundproofing materials to hit extremely high STC ratings (60+). If your project has requirements that high, reach out to us so we can talk through your options.

Step Three: Hotel Door Soundproofing

Doors are the most common weak point for interior noise getting into a hotel room. 99.9% of hotels have solid core doors, so the key to soundproofing a solid door is to ensure they are well sealed. Unfortunately, this is where many hotel rooms come up short, especially at the bottom. If you're in a hotel room and can hear people walking in the hallway, the problem is the door. If you have adjoining rooms with doors in between, and can hear the other side, again… chances are the problem is the door.  
 
Our Sound Lock Door Seal Kits are an excellent choice for upgrading any existing door, increasing the STC rating of a door by up to 20 points! These kits are compatible with just about any door and are the perfect solution for a solid door that just needs to be better sealed.

In situations where a higher level of soundproofing (and elegance) is required, such as in multi-purpose rooms or conference rooms, the Sound Lock Soundproof Door is the choice for you. We make these doors from any wood species and can make up to an STC 56. They look awesome once stained or painted, and come with a variety of optional add ons (like view windows). They are perfect for in high-end hotels or spaces where privacy and noise reduction are hugely important.

Step Four: Hotel Windows - Use Window Inserts For Sound And Heat

Windows are just about always the weak point letting in exterior noise (often traffic or construction noise). We've all experienced staying in a hotel room where we can hear the street outside, typically in older hotels with windows that can open. This outside noise is not only annoying for guests but can always be found in negative reviews.

To stop exterior noise, our Fantastic Frame Window Inserts are an excellent investment for hotel owners. These window inserts can reduce noise through the window by up to 80%, resulting in a quieter and more comfortable experience for guests. In addition to their impressive noise reduction capabilities, when installed in all windows in a building, Fantastic Frame Window Inserts will reduce energy usage by up to 40%. This energy-saving feature results in the inserts paying for themselves in just 1-2 years on average, making them a smart and cost-effective solution for improving your hotel's soundproofing and energy efficiency.

soundproofing hotel room windows

Now That You've Got a Hotel Soundproofing Plan...

Soundproofing a hotel can mean a variety of things, depending on the hotel’s specific problems. By using the right soundproofing materials and strategies, you can create a quieter and more comfortable environment for your guests. Don't hesitate to reach out to one of our Second Skin soundproofing experts for help in making your hotel a more comfortable and quiet place for your guests!

Have questions about your project?

Call us at 1.800.679.8511