How Do You Soundproof Behind a Dartboard?
Key Takeaway:
- Relocate your dartboard to another room or mounting it on a solid outside-facing wall can reduce impact noise
- Sound deadening materials like mass loaded vinyl, butyl rubber, panels like MDF and foam can be used to soundproof a dartboard on a wall
- Adding furniture can help reduce noise and deaden the echo and sound in the room
- Taking it off a wall and placing it into a dartboard stand will produce a large reduction in noise
- Longer darts absorb more shock when they hit the dartboard, reducing impact noise
Move the Dartboard
If the sound of you playing darts is causing a little annoyance to your neighbors, or others in your home, one solution is to move the board to another room.
Or even another wall within the same room.
If your board is set up on a joining wall to your neighbors, the thumping noise of darts all evening may start to cause a problem.
- Relocating the dartboard to a wall facing away from your neighbor’s side is one way to reduce the impact noise and avoid disturbing them
- If the vibration and the thud of darts is causing a problem within your own household, hanging your board on an outside facing exterior wall will take a lot of the noise away and help make it quieter for everyone
However, moving your board to another room or wall is only one solution and may not always be an option for a number of reasons.
If you live in an apartment, you may not have the space to do so and if that’s the case, there are a number of other ways you can reduce the noise of playing darts.
Sound Deadening Methods Behind the Back of the Dartboard
One approach is to use sound-absorbing or dissipating acoustic panels that reduce sound wave activity.
Sound-deadening materials work by either absorbing or blocking sound waves, preventing them from bouncing off surfaces, which can significantly lessen any noises.
Two popular materials used to reduce dartboard sounds are:
- Mass Loaded Vinyl
- Butyl Rubber
Use Mass Loaded Vinyl or Butyl Rubber to Deaden Sounds
Mass Loaded Vinyl and Butyl Rubber are both excellent soundproofing options behind your dartboard because:
- They are dense materials that reduce noise transmission
- Can be installed relatively easily
- Require little maintenance, making them an excellent long-term solution to make a quieter environment
- Can also be used inside an acoustic panel that is mounted on the wall
Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)
Using Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) is a great way to deaden the sound of darts behind the dartboard.
- MLV doesn’t absorb the noise, but effectively blocks the sound waves from travelling inside, or outside, a room
- In a nutshell, it creates a sound barrier that can be used between the wall and your board
Butyl Rubber Pads
Butyl Rubber pads is another material that has similar sound dampening qualities. The pads have extremely low rebound and will muffle an impressively large amount of sounds.
Use Dartboard Backboard
Reducing impact noise from darts can also be easily achieved by buying or making a sound-absorbing backboard mounted to the back of the board.
Using a piece of sound reduction foam or an MDF board are both excellent sound proofing materials and help create a quieter environment.
During installation of the panels, it’s important to make sure it’s sit flush with the surrounding walls, so it provides optimal noise-reducing performance.
How to Install a Backboard Behind Your Dartboard?
- Measure the size you need and either buy or cut a piece of acoustic foam or fiberboard to this size
- Sand any rough edges if needed
- Attach the foam or fiberboard to the backing using adhesive glue, ensuring it is well secured
- Once you have mounted the backboard onto the wall, reposition your board, making sure it is secure
- Test how effective your backboard is at reducing sound in nearby rooms by having someone throw darts while you stand in an adjacent room
For an added layer of noise reduction, try tightly sealing gaps between the backer and wall using a high quality sealant.
- This will further help absorb the sound waves and prevent them from echoing around the room
- You can also combine the soundproofing mats to the side of the wall and behind your board
Adding Furniture Helps Reduce Echo and Sound in the Room
The addition of furniture can assist in reducing the amount of echo and sound in a room, which ultimately lessens the noise that darts make. Items of furniture help to absorb sound waves, instead of bouncing around the walls in an empty room
Such furniture includes:
- Couches
- Curtains
- Rugs
- Carpets
- Bookshelves on the walls surrounding the board
Simple tricks when furnishing a room to soundproof is to fill the corners of the room with padding by using things like:
- Bean bags
- Fluffy cushions
- Heavy bedding covers
Rugs and carpet are also brilliant for absorbing sound, but also help insulate a cold room.
Mount the Dartboard on a Stand
Another way you can reduce the noise behind your dartboard wall, is to take it off the wall and put it on a stand.
Mounting on a stand can significantly reduce noise, but is also a portable and cost-effective method.
You can either purchase them or, if you are the DIY type, they can also be easily built from materials such as PVC pipes and fittings.
How to Mount Your Dartboard on a Stand
- Choose the right stand: Select the appropriate materials that can support the weight of your board – PVC pipes and fittings are easily accessible and efficient for building a stand.
- Measure and cut your PVC pipes: Determine how tall you want your dartboard to be and measure out accordingly. Adjust the length of each segment if necessary.
- Connect pipes and fittings: Connect each segment with elbow joints, T-joints, or coupling joints, depending on where it needs to be bent. Ensure everything is strong enough by adding extra adhesive if needed.
- Screw in the Mounting Bracket: Place your mounting bracket in appropriate locations using screws and fasteners so that it connects well with both the PVC pipe frame and your board.
- Hang Your Dartboard: After affixing the mount onto your new PVC pipe frame, hang your board onto the bracket, which would already be screwed into place.
Longer Darts Make Noise
There is another option, though be warned it’s not ideal if you are used to playing with short darts, and that is to switch to longer ones.
- Longer darts produce much less noise than shorter ones, as they absorb more shock when hitting the board, so less sound is emitted
- The energy from the impact is spread out over a larger area, reducing the force that is transmitted to the board and, ultimately, the surrounding environment
FAQs About How Do You Soundproof Behind a Dartboard?
How Can I Make My Dartboard Quieter?
Move your dartboard to another room or use sound deadening methods on the wall behind it. You can also add furniture to the room to deaden the sound, mount the dartboard on a stand, use an acoustic panel for mounting, make a soundproof dartboard, or use darts that are longer.
What Tools Do I Need to Make My Dartboard Quieter?
There are a number of ways you can reduce the amount of noise, so depending on the method you use, you may need a circular saw, hammer, drill, screws, a measuring tape, 10 mm MDF, and sound deadening foam mats, among other things.
What Is the Best Type of Wall to Mount a Dartboard on for Less Noise?
A solid wall or an outside-facing wall will generally be the best option for mounting a dartboard if noise reduction is a concern. These walls are generally thicker and sturdier, making them less affected by the board rattling against it.
What Are the Best Sound-Absorbing Materials for Dartboard Soundproofing?
The best sound-absorbing materials for dartboard soundproofing include mass loaded vinyl or butyl rubber, which are both incredibly dense synthetic materials. You can also use car sound deadening mats, which have self-adhesive backings and can be used to make your own sound deadening backboard for the dartboard.
Can I Use Soundproofing Board Backings for Darts?
Yes, soundproofing board backings for darts are a great option for reducing impact noise. These backings are usually made of a dense material that can absorb sound waves and prevent them from traveling through the wall. They can either be bought pre-made from a retailer, or you can make your own with sound-absorbing materials.
References
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-soundproof-a-room/9ba683603be9fa5395fab9089dadf23
https://www.thespruce.com/soundproof-your-room-or-apartment-4062945
https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/g2470/soundproofing-a-room/
