When you have unwanted noise coming in or out of a room in your home, you may want to consider soundproofing that space. Whether you are trying to keep a home music studio quiet for your family or neighbors, dealing with shared walls in a town home, or trying to create a peaceful home office, maintaining a quiet residence can be achieved by installing home soundproofing. Here are 4 easy ways to deaden the sound in your home without undergoing a major remodeling project.
Use Wall Panels to Soundproof Your Home
Otherwise known as acoustic panels, soundproofing wall panels are, as their name suggests, panels you can place on your walls to absorb sound as it enters or moves through your space. These panels use different principles to cut down on noise moving in and out of spaces such as home offices, home theaters, or even children’s playrooms: Absorbing the sound, diffusing the sound more evenly throughout the room, and attenuating the sound in order to dampen its impact.
The specific ways in which wall panels work to deaden sound depends upon the panels you choose, and where you place them in your space. For example, vertical wall panels that stretch from ceiling to floor can almost entirely block out background noise, returning the environment to a tranquil level that facilitates rest, relaxation, or concentration.
When seeking acoustic wall panels for use in your home additions or remodel projects, look for NRC ratings that are as high as possible. These ratings explain how much noise the product will absorb. A rating of 0 means that the product does not absorb sound, while a rating of 1 means that the product absorbs all sound.
You will also have the opportunity to select products that both look good and perform effectively in your space. In fact, some of the most effective sound absorbers are also the most stylish. Chances are you can find wall panels that fit your style and color scheme for a seamless way to set up a beautiful, and quiet, space in your home.
Install Soundproof Windows
If you want to cut down on noise from outside your home invading your space, you may want to invest in soundproof windows. Designed to block up to 95 percent of outdoor sounds, these windows may be worth the higher price point for spaces such as home offices or bedrooms that are regularly bombarded with sounds from nearby urban areas, highways, entertainment venues, or simply loud neighbors. You can even use these windows in kitchen renovations or any project that requires quiet from the outdoors.
Usually, soundproof windows do not replace your original, standard window. Instead, they are added as an extra barrier to noise, and constructed with technology that blocks as much sound as possible. This means that you can avoid replacement windows while getting the sound deadening features you require in your space.
When choosing soundproof windows, keep an eye on what is called the STC rating. This number indicates how much noise the window blocks. Standard windows typically have a rating around 27 or 28. Soundproofing windows should have ratings much higher. Some have ratings that reach the 50s, though you do not need a window with ratings that high to notice a difference in the sound levels in your space.
Use Soundproofing Insulation
If you are adding on a room, completing a basement refinishing project, or completing a remodel, you may have the opportunity to do home soundproofing through the use of insulation. While primarily used to help regulate a home’s temperature, insulation can have the added benefit of deadening sound. You just have to pick the right product.
Most effective at preventing sounds from bouncing around the interior of a room, this type of insulation is often thicker than traditional insulation to provide the most effective soundproofing possible.
When looking for the insulation material to use for your project, the NRC rating will be important, just as it is for acoustic panels. The closer to 1 the NRC rating is, the more sound absorption is possible. The good news is that soundproofing insulation still works like insulation, which means you can typically achieve both soundproofing and insulating in one product.
Use Soundproof Curtains or Blinds
One of the simplest ways to deaden noise within a room while doing bathroom remodeling, bedroom renovations, home office upgrades, or simply a room refresh is to use soundproof curtains or blinds.
This approach has two main benefits: Style and simplicity. You can upgrade the look of your space, and incorporate your preferred style, while also creating a more peaceful space. At the same time, this form of home soundproofing is often achievable on your own, without the assistance of a contractor. You can purchase, and install on your own, the way you would traditional blinds or curtains.
How can a window treatment keep your home quieter? These treatments frequently consist of heavier materials and intelligent designs that can reduce significant amounts of noise. You can even improve the sound-blocking powers of your window treatments by using both curtains and blinds designed to absorb noise.
Soundproofing your home can create an oasis from the noises of life, and make both sleeping and working easier. Here at Reliable Home Improvement, we are always ready to help you create the space you desire, from the bathrooms to the kitchens, the basements to the bedrooms. We can help you incorporate soundproof elements into your home to create the environment that allows you to enjoy your life at home.