• admin-sp
• soundproofing
• May 8, 2026
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Noise pollution in Pakistan’s urban centers—Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad—has become a major lifestyle concern. Whether it is the constant hum of traffic, construction noise, or loud neighbors, soundproofing has shifted from a luxury to a necessity .

However, unlike buying a fan or changing windows, soundproofing is a technical investment. This guide breaks down the cost of materials, installation, and project estimates in Pakistani Rupees (PKR) to help you create a quiet environment without financial surprises.

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1. Understanding Your Needs: Sound Absorption vs. Soundproofing

Before looking at prices, it is essential to understand the technical difference, as this dictates your budget:

• Soundproofing (Blocking Noise): This stops noise from entering or leaving a room. It requires Mass (heavy materials) and Decoupling (breaking the path of vibration). This is expensive.
• Sound Absorption (Killing Echo): This fixes the echo inside a room (reverberation). It uses foam or fabric panels. This is generally cheaper but does not stop outside noise .

Tip: If you want to stop your neighbor’s music, you need Soundproofing. If you want your home theater to sound clearer, you need Absorption.

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2. Detailed Price List of Soundproofing Materials in Pakistan

Here is the current market rate for raw materials. Prices vary based on thickness, density, and brand.

A. Soundproofing Materials (Blocking)

Material	Use Case	Price Range (Per Sq. Ft.)	Notes
Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)	Walls, Floors, Ceilings	PKR 1,200 – 2,500	The gold standard for blocking noise. It is heavy rubber sheeting. Best for studios or theaters .
Soundproof Gypsum / Drywall	Wall partitions	PKR 600 – 1,200	Heavier than standard board. Specific brands like Knauf or local equivalents offer acoustic variants.
Damping Sheets (Bitumen/Rubber)	Car doors, Metal ducts, Machinery	PKR 500 – 1,200	Great for stopping vibrations (e.g., generator rooms or vehicle sound deadening) .
Soundproof Windows (uPVC / Aluminium)	Windows	Varies (See section below)	Requires double or triple glazing with laminated glass .

B. Acoustic Absorption Materials (Stopping Echo)

Material	Use Case	Price Range (Per Sq. Ft.)	Notes
Acoustic Foam (Pyramid/Wedge)	Home Studios, Gaming Rooms	PKR 400 – 800	Imported foam panels can cost more (e.g., PKR 10,000+ for a 12-pack imported kit) .
Polyester Panels (PET)	Offices, Modern Interiors	PKR 600 – 1,400	Eco-friendly (recycled plastic), fire-rated, and look much better than foam .
Fiberglass Insulation (Rockwool)	Inside walls (invisible layer)	PKR 300 – 700	Very effective but dangerous to inhale during install; must be wrapped in fabric .
Acoustic Mineral Wool	High-end Studios	PKR 800 – 1,500	Higher density than fiberglass.

C. Complete System Costs (Imported Kits)

• Window Seal Kit (Door Sweep + Tape): PKR 2,000 – 5,000 for a standard door.
• Car Sound Deadening Mat (Siless 50 mil – 52 sq ft): ~PKR 30,000 per pack .
• Wall Foam Tiles (12-pack, 12″x12″): ~PKR 14,000 (Imported) .

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3. Soundproof Windows Price in Pakistan

Windows are the weakest link for noise. Standard single-pane glass offers almost no resistance to traffic noise.

Types & Estimated Costs

1. Double Glazed uPVC Windows:
   • Price: Starts from PKR 3,500 – 6,000 per sq. ft. (depending on profile quality and fittings).
   • Performance: Reduces noise by 30-40% .
2. Laminated Glass Windows (Aluminium/uPVC):
   • Price: PKR 5,000 – 8,000 per sq. ft. (The laminated interlayer acts as a noise damper).
   • Performance: Best for high-frequency noise like traffic horns .
3. Triple Glazing:
   • Price: PKR 7,000 – 12,000+ per sq. ft. (Two air gaps).
   • Best for: Houses directly facing main boulevards or near airports.

Note: Aluminum frames conduct sound more than uPVC. For maximum soundproofing, uPVC with a steel core is superior .

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4. Project Cost Estimates (Labor + Material)

Soundproofing requires professional installation if you want it to work. “Decoupling” (using resilient channels or staggered studs) is complex for DIY.

Here is what you should expect to pay contractors in major cities (Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad) for turnkey solutions:

Project Type	Size / Scope	Estimated Cost (PKR)	Details
Small Conference Room	10 ft x 12 ft	80,000 – 180,000	Walls and ceiling treatment. Privacy for meetings .
Recording Studio (Voice Over)	150 sq. ft. room	300,000 – 600,000	Full isolation (Room within a room), bass traps, and floating floors .
Home Theater (Basement)	500 sq. ft.	250,000 – 500,000	Focus on ceiling (to protect upstairs) and wall absorption.
Call Center (Office)	50 Workstations	500,000 – 1.2 Million	Acoustic ceiling clouds and desk partitions .
Party Wall (One Wall)	Standard 10′ x 10′ wall	50,000 – 120,000	Adding mass (MLV + second layer of gypsum) to a single wall.
Car Soundproofing (4 doors)	4 Doors	25,000 – 50,000	Labor included for deadening mats .

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5. Factors That Increase Cost in Pakistan

• Imported vs. Local: Imported US or Chinese acoustic foam can cost 2x to 3x more than local equivalents due to freight and customs duties .
• Structural Flanking: If you soundproof a wall but leave a 1-inch gap at the top, noise leaks through. Contractors charge extra for “flanking” solutions (filling gaps).
• Generator Soundproofing: Damping a 200kVA diesel generator costs extra due to heavy-duty materials and ventilation requirements (PKR 150,000 – 400,000 for enclosures) .

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6. Budget-Friendly Tricks (Under PKR 20,000)

If you cannot renovate, use these methods:

1. Gap Sealing: Use rubber weatherstripping (PKR 200/meter) on doors and windows. Air gaps are responsible for 70% of noise leakage.
2. Bookshelves: A solid bookshelf filled with random books on a shared wall acts as a dense acoustic barrier.
3. Curtains: “Acoustic curtains” are expensive, but heavy velvet or moving blankets hung over a window can significantly dampen noise for a fraction of the cost.

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7. Where to Buy in Pakistan (2026)

• Lahore: Widest selection of uPVC windows and raw materials (Kalma Chowk, Hall Road for foam).
• Karachi: Suppliers specialized in industrial damping and maritime solutions (Korangi, SITE area).
• Islamabad: High-end PET polyester panels and fabric-wrapped solutions for corporate offices .

Final Advice: Always ask for the STC (Sound Transmission Class) rating. A standard wall is STC 30-35. A soundproof wall should be STC 50+. If a seller cannot provide an STC rating, they are likely selling simple foam that will not block outside noise