If you’ve got traffic noise or neighbours who won’t keep it down, soundproof insulation is the way to a good night’s sleep.

Sometimes the bedroom is not the peaceful sanctuary you dream about. If your sleep is being marred by congested traffic or the neighbouring teenager’s musical inabilities, then you may need to start thinking about insulation for the bedroom.

"The key to sound insulation is density," says Millicent, a soundproofing specialist. "The thicker the walls and windows, the less sound that gets in."

Traditionally, builders have made walls thicker by adding layers of plasterboard, but this can be expensive and labour intensive. Millicent says products like barrierboard can be a cheaper soundproof insulation alternative. "It’s 32mm thick and extremely dense, and our tests prove that it reduces sound by around 75 per cent," she says.

Sound-proof options for the home

The type of cladding on your home will affect how much insulation you require to sound proof your bedroom. A weatherboard home might also benefit from an additional layer of insulation to further cut down on sound, and brick homes can use this as well.

"Furring channels are created along the wall joints to make a gap for insulation, then the barrierboard is placed on top," Millicent explains. A home with detailed cornices and skirting boards and power points will need to have these removed and replaced once the insulation is added.

The downside to added insulation and cladding for soundproofing is the reduced space that your room will have. In addition, you will have to create a deeper opening to the window, but Millicent explains that this can be a good thing.

"Bedrooms that look out onto a main road have a lot of noise coming in through the windows, and these also need to be insulated," Millicent says. Most windows don’t have a wide window sill, but to install insulation for soundproofing, the shelf needs to be at least 100mm.

Double-glazing windows for complete sound-proof design

If you are serious about sound proof insulation, then doing the windows as well is a must, as they can also be a tremendous source of noise. "Newer homes tend to have thicker glass than the older ones, but many homes tend to have thin glass on their primary window," says Millicent. If you wish to completely minimise noise, Millicent recommends replacing the thinner panes of glass with thicker ones.

Additional soundproofing includes sealing the air vents in older homes with acrylic, and an acoustic seal around the front door. Tall gates and hedges can also deflect some of the street sounds, to make your home a haven of peace.

Find insulation retailers online, so you can enjoy a soundproof bedroom and a good night’s sleep.