How do I soundproof a co-working space in a converted Ottawa house to give each desk adequate privacy?

Soundproofing a co-working space in a converted Ottawa house requires a layered strategy that combines sound masking, absorption, and targeted isolation rather than trying to make every desk area silent — which would be prohibitively expensive in an open or semi-open layout. The realistic goal is achieving speech privacy, meaning that conversations at one workstation are unintelligible at neighbouring stations. For a typical converted house, budget $15,000 to $40,000 depending on the number of work areas, the building's existing construction, and whether you need fully enclosed private offices or can work with semi-private zones.The most effective approach starts with a sound masking system. This is a network of small speakers installed in or above the ceiling that emit a carefully tuned background noise (similar to gentle air handling noise) at around 40 to 45 dBA. Sound masking does not reduce noise — it raises the ambient floor so that speech from nearby desks becomes unintelligible. Systems like those from Cambridge Sound Management or Lencore run $2 to $5 per square foot installed and are standard in modern commercial offices. In a converted house with lower ceilings and less mechanical noise than a commercial building, masking makes an outsized difference.Physical Barriers and Acoustic TreatmentNext, add physical separation. In an older Ottawa house — the kind of Centretown or Glebe character home that often gets converted to office use — the rooms are already partially divided by existing walls. Upgrade these walls by adding Rockwool Safe'n'Sound in the cavities (if accessible) and a layer of 5/8-inch Type X drywall with Green Glue on top of the existing surface. This brings a typical interior wall from roughly STC 33 to STC 45 or better for about $15 to $20 per square foot. For open areas where you cannot build full-height walls, use freestanding acoustic partitions ($300 to $800 each) that are at least 60 inches tall and have an NRC rating of 0.80 or higher.Ceiling treatment is critical in converted houses because older Ottawa homes often have hardwood floors on the upper level with minimal subfloor, meaning footsteps and conversation from above transmit directly into the co-working area below. A suspended acoustic ceiling with mineral fibre tiles (NRC 0.70 to 0.90) creates both absorption and an air gap that reduces transmission from above. If the co-working space occupies the main floor, this also helps control the reverberant field within the room itself, making the sound masking system more effective.Doors between work zones need attention too. Most interior doors in Ottawa houses are hollow-core with large air gaps at the bottom — effectively open holes for sound. Replace them with solid-core doors ($200 to $500 each) and add perimeter seals and automatic door bottoms. For phone call rooms or private meeting spaces, this single upgrade can be the difference between usable and useless privacy. Keep in mind that if you are changing the use of a residential building to commercial, the City of Ottawa may require a change-of-use permit and compliance with the Ontario Building Code's commercial occupancy requirements, including fire separation and accessibility — apply through 3-1-1 or ottawa.ca.Getting the balance right between openness, privacy, and budget in a converted house is genuinely tricky. An acoustic consultant or experienced soundproofing contractor can measure the existing conditions and design a system that gives each workstation adequate privacy without turning the space into a maze of walls. The Ottawa Contractor Directory at justynrookcontracting.com/directory is a good place to start finding professionals who specialize in commercial acoustic work.Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:Justyn Rook ContractingRenoMotion Inc.Geerts Roofing IncDump n Dash HaulingCallandgoneView all contractors →