Thin Air

• Because sound travels most freely through the air, it is important to fill in all the spaces that allow sound waves to travel in from the outside. Flexible polyurethane or latex caulk can help fill in gaps around your windows, doors or walls and keep that excess noise level down. Some sounds travel through impact, such as knocking on walls, floors or ceilings. If you are experiencing noise like this, it is important to track them down to their source. Maybe your washing machine is off balance or a hot water pipe is resting against a weight-bearing wall. These things can also generate unwanted noise.
  
  

Remodeling

• Adding additional insulation within your walls is the most effective solution to soundproofing your home or office. Unfortunately, it is also the most involved and most expensive approach. But if you are planning a remodeling project it would be a good time to add extra insulation before you close up those new walls. Adding additional fiberglass or blow-in insulation can soften any exterior noises.
  
  

Absorbtion

• It is smart to avoid using hard, bare surfaces in your rooms if sound is a concern. Simply installing carpeting, mid-weight or heavy curtains and soft, upholstered furniture can absorb a significant amount of unwanted sound.
  
  

Appliances

• Keep sound in mind when you are purchasing new appliances. Sometimes it's worth the extra initial cost to get the more expensive, but much quieter, dishwasher, and some older computers can also create a significant amount of unexpected noise.
  
  

Soundproofing

• Installing acoustical or insulating tiles along your walls and doors can be effective in reducing excessive sound because they add soft surfaces and pockets of space to keep sound from bouncing or echoing around a room. If you are a musician interested in building a studio you probably need more heavy-duty soundproofing, and luckily, there is an entire soundproofing industry available to help keep your sounds to yourself.