How much would it cost to soundproof a nursery in a house near the Macdonald-Cartier airport flight path?

Soundproofing a nursery in a home under the Macdonald-Cartier International Airport flight path typically costs $6,000 to $15,000 depending on the room size and the level of noise reduction needed. Homes in areas like Gloucester, Beacon Hill, and parts of Alta Vista that sit directly beneath approach and departure paths can experience aircraft noise peaks of 70–80 dB, and bringing that down to a comfortable 30–35 dB inside a nursery requires a layered approach that addresses walls, ceiling, and especially windows. The good news is that Ottawa pricing runs 10–15% below GTA rates, so this investment goes further here.
The windows are the single biggest factor in aircraft noise penetration. A standard double-pane window has an STC rating of about 28–32, which is nowhere near adequate for homes under a flight path. Your two main options are acoustic laminated glass replacement windows ($800–$1,500 per window installed, STC 38–42) or adding an interior acoustic window insert such as an Indow or similar product ($400–$700 per window, creating a secondary glazing layer with a significant air gap). For maximum protection, some homeowners install both — the original window plus an interior insert with at least a 4-inch air gap between them, achieving effective ratings of STC 45–50 at the window. For a nursery with two windows, budget $1,600–$4,000 for window treatment alone.
The walls and ceiling need attention too, particularly the exterior-facing wall. Adding sound isolation clips with hat channel, Roxul Safe'n'Sound insulation in the cavity, and a second layer of 5/8-inch Type X drywall with Green Glue compound to the exterior wall runs $15–$22 per square foot installed. For a typical 10x12 nursery with one exterior wall and ceiling, that is roughly $2,500–$5,000. The ceiling matters because aircraft noise comes from above — if the nursery is on the top floor, treating the ceiling is just as important as the walls. Interior walls separating the nursery from the rest of the house may only need basic acoustic caulking and weatherstripping if the main noise source is external.
Do not forget the door — replacing a hollow-core door with a solid-core door ($300–$600 installed) and adding proper acoustic seals and an automatic door bottom ($80–$150) makes a significant difference. Also consider a white noise machine or inline fan for additional masking, which costs next to nothing but provides a consistent sound floor that helps babies sleep through intermittent aircraft noise. Ottawa's NRC campus in the area has done extensive research on aircraft noise mitigation for residential buildings, and their findings consistently show that the window-wall-seal combination is the most effective approach. For a nursery project like this, having a professional assess the specific noise levels and recommend the right combination of treatments is well worth it — reach out through Sound IQ to connect with soundproofing professionals who understand Ottawa's airport noise challenges.Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:613BinsJC CarpentryTransitions RenovationsALTIOR CONSTRUCTIONRegimbalView all contractors →