Step order
- Confirm the dominant noise type and where it leaks.
- Seal obvious air gaps first (trim, outlets, penetrations).
- Decouple where possible (resilient channel, isolation clips, or separation layers).
- Add mass strategically (second layer where it matters).
- Treat flanking paths (vents, shared framing, doors).
Context notes
- Noise focus: Traffic. Road noise, sirens, vibration.
- Room focus: Home office. Calls, focus, predictable acoustics.
- Assembly focus: Doors. Solid core, seals, thresholds.
Common failure modes
- Sealing the visible gap but missing flanking paths.
- Adding absorption without sealing/decoupling.
- Blocking ventilation to chase silence.