Tents are designed to be portable and convenient, so it is not much of a shock to learn that tents do not come soundproof already. Luckily, there are some precautions you can take with your tent to make it as soundproof as possible.
No matter what your budget is, there is a soundproof technique that you will be able to utilize. It is important to remember that no technique will be completely effective, because tents are not designed to be soundproof. Each of the methods discussed will help you drastically lessen the amount of noise that enters and exists your tent.
In this article, we are going to discuss seven methods that will help you soundproof your tent. If you are trying to reduce the amount of noise that bothers you when you are camping, keep reading to find out what you can do and how you can do it!
Interior Acoustic Barrier
Acoustic barriers are the type of soundproofing that you will find in sound rooms and recording studios. It is an extra layer of a thick, heavy material like mass loaded vinyl (MLV). This material is specifically designed to block sound waves and reduce noise outside of the space.
Mass Loaded Vinyl is both dense and light. This makes it the perfect lining for you to use inside your tent. It is so light that you can hang it directly onto the poles of your tent. You can do this by making some holes in the MLV and attatching it to the poles with twist ties.
You can also use acoustic foam panels. You will be able to quickly line the walls inside your tent with this material because it is lightweight. All you need is some double-sided tape to stick it up on the walls.
One more way you can create an acoustic barrier is by using soundproof blankets. Weave them between the poles of your tent or hang them up with twist ties for an easy installation.
Setting up an acoustic barrier is pretty easy depending on the size of your tent. It is said to be easier to apply to larger tents, and a little more difficult to do on smaller tents. This is because the material needed usually comes in larger sheets because they are designed to be used in a room.
Acoustic barriers are probably the best way you can soundproof your tent. If you have enough space to properly set up a barrier within your tent, you will notice a huge difference in the amount of sound that makes it into the tent.
It is important to remember that acoustic barriers are most effective when it comes to high-frequency noises, and it won’t do much to protect you from bass sounds.
Materials Needed
The materials you need to set up an acoustic barrier include a tape measure, vinyl seam tape, and a utility knife. You will need to know the measurements of the inside of the tent so you can cut the proper amount of vinyl for the space with the knife. You will then use the vinyl seam tape to secure the MLV to the tent.
If you want to use acoustic foam panels, you will also need a tape measure. Once you get the measurements of the inside of your tent, you can get the proper number of acoustic panels. The only other material you need is some double-sided tape.
If you want to use soundproof blankets, there is only one additional material you will need. Aside from the soundproof blankets, you will need some twist ties. This will help you secure the soundproof blankets to your tent poles for maximum results.
Place Carpeting
Putting carpet down is another great way to soundproof your tent. It will work in a similar fashion to an acoustic barrier but will also work to prevent bass noises from traveling into your tent. To make this barrier even more effective, you can use multiple layers of carpet.
There is not one specific type of carpet that will work better than another, so you can use any carpet. However, it is important to remember that thicker carpet will work better, so the thicker the carpet you use the better results you will experience. A thick carpet can absorb more noise than a thin carpet because of the cushioning.
If you aren’t able to get your hands on a thick carpet, you can lay down several layers of thin carpet to get it to work about the same. The more cushion you are able to get on the floor of your tent, the more noise will be absorbed.
Materials Needed
To install carpet in your tent, you will need a tape measure, thick carpet, or a thick rug. Using the tape measure, you will need to measure the floor of the tent so you can make sure you get enough carpet to cover completely. Once you have your measurements, you can get your rug or carpet. The thicker the material the better, but you can layer if necessary.
Hang Soundproof Curtains
If you have a tent that is large enough, you can hang some soundproof curtains. This is more cost-effective than using an acoustic barrier to soundproof your tent. It does a very similar job as the acoustic barrier by absorbing the sound waves to prevent them from getting into your tent.
Curtains are a great alternative because they are easier to get ahold of and cheaper to buy. Just like the carpet, the thicker the curtain the better the job will be. Velvet curtains are a great option because they are super heavy and normally made up of several layers.
If you aren’t able to get your hands on thick curtains, you can hang them up in layers. This will help soundproof your tent a little bit better, but you cannot expect the best job. The best part about heavy curtains for soundproofing is that they will also work to protect the inside of the tent from heat.
Materials Needed
The only thing you need for this method is curtains. This can be curtains specifically made for the purpose of soundproofing, or any thick curtain in general. If you can’t find any kind of thick curtain, layer some thin curtains to bounce out as much sound as possible.
Create Destructive Interference
This method will only work if you have a sound system inside your tent. Destructive interference works by taking one noise and putting it in the way of the sound waves you are trying to block out. This won’t completely cancel out noise, but it will reduce the amount of sound that comes in and leaves the tent.
You can also consider some things to interfere with the noise like a white noise machine, a box fan, an air conditioning unit, and by playing some soft music. Any kind of sound interference will help you lessen the noise you hear outside your tent.
Using a white noise machine will work wonders when keeping unwanted noises out of your tent. That’s why these machines are so desirable for baby and kid rooms in the home.
This method will work at its best if you use it alongside an acoustic barrier or some soundproof curtains. While these methods will help drown out the noise, you can’t expect them to completely soundproof your tent. Using the two methods together will maximize your soundproofing experience.
Materials Needed
There are a few different things you can choose from when you are trying to decide on destructive interference. You could take a speaker with you and hook it up to face the sound you are trying to block out to bounce the unwanted soundwaves away from your tent. You could also bring some kind of white noise machine with you to prevent unwanted noise.
Exterior Acoustic Barrier
You might also want to consider creating an exterior acoustic barrier. No matter what soundproof method you use, sound will usually get around it. In order to boost the results you get from soundproofing, you can set up an exterior barrier. This will work to catch any extra unwanted noise before it reaches your tent.
One way you can do this is by setting up a barrier like the ones they use on construction sites. These barriers are typically large walls that are made up of acoustic insulation and they are designed to be put up quickly. This is not a cheap option, but they would be a great investment if they are in your budget.
This type of soundproof wall is great if you have a tent that is open-sided, or if you have people coming in and out of the tent frequently. This type of barrier will also help create a space for people to hang around outside the tent while still blocking noise. This is extremely important if you are in a heavily populated area.
Materials Needed
You will need to find a portable wall that is well insulated to block out as much surrounding noise as possible. You can find barrier walls like the ones they use at construction sites, but they are not very cheap. You can find them online by searching for temporary exterior quilted curtains.
Wear Ear Plugs
This is a method that doesn’t require any adjustments to your tent. Wearing ear plugs are a great way to mask any unwanted noise and sounds from outside your tent. Ear plugs will not completely block out all of the outside noises you hear, but they will lessen what you hear. They will help you sleep peacefully without being disrupted by what is going on around you.
You can also consider noise cancelling headphones to block out any unwanted noise while you are sleeping. There are headphones made specifically for sleeping, so you will not have to be concerned that they are too uncomfortable to sleep in.
Create a Room Within a Room
If your tent is large enough, you can set up a second room inside your tent. You can do this by putting a sleeping pod in your tent. This sleeping pod will basically act as a soundproof bed. This sleeping pod will keep noise from entering and will also make for added privacy.
A sleeping pod enclosure is also a great way to get yourself off the ground while you are camping. This can lower the bass vibrations that you feel from the ground.
This extra barrier inside of your tent will reduce the amount of soundwaves that you will be hearing, especially at night. If you use this method with another such as carpeting the floor or an acoustic barrier, you will experience very little sound penetration.
Materials Needed
You will need a sleeping pod for this method. A sleeping pod is essentially a small bed that comes with a pop-up tent feature. You will be able to comfortably sleep inside this pod while enjoying your privacy and the added benefit of some extra soundproofing.
FAQ
Is It Possible to Have a Completely Soundproof Tent?
It is pretty much impossible to be able to soundproof your tent completely. This is due to the structure of the tent being designed for portability and convenience. It is possible to reduce the amount of noise that enters your tent by an extreme amount, as long as you are willing to put in the effort necessary.
Is Soundproofing Expensive?
It is not very expensive to soundproof your tent. There are several options that you can choose from to effectively reduce the amount of noise that enters your tent. You will easily be able to choose a method that fits your budget and will work best for you.
Can I Buy a Tent That is Already Soundproof?
Yes, there are tents on the market that are already soundproof. They are pretty effective when it comes to blocking noise, but they are not 100% effective. These types of tents are made out of materials that are essential to blocking out noise.