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| Source: 99.co |
how to soundproof a room from outside noise
For many of us, home is where we relax, escape from the outside world, and experience moments of blissful peace. But all too often, our fortresses of solitude are invaded by the sounds of traffic, neighbors, pedestrians, and construction, seeking to disturb us and jolt our minds out of their restfulness.
This may be a symptom of modern life, but that does not mean we have to put up with it. In this article, we will explore how to soundproof your house and restore the zen of a peaceful home.
Room comfort is usually of particular concern. The reason, this room serves as a place to rest at home.
Everyone certainly will not be able to rest in peace and comfort if the room is too noisy. I see, isn't it?
Noise occurs because the sound coming from outside can be heard very clearly. This is where it is important to outsmart the soundproofing of the room.
Please note that the main contributors to noise are air and vibrations. Did you know beforehand?
Vibration itself occurs when sound waves hit an indoor surface and bounce off the wall on the other side.
Basically, what needs to be considered when making a soundproof room is that the sound insulation process is carried out properly.
The goal is to reduce the amount of sound entering and leaving the room, as well as eliminate the echo effect.
The best way to prevent noise is to build the room from special building materials.
Where the building material must be able to function as a noise reducer.
There are a number of choices of quality building materials that have sound resistance so they are very suitable for the application.
It's easy to find it. The reason, these building materials have been sold in the market.
However, making a soundproof room with building materials means that the room must be completely overhauled or renovated.
If you don't want to make a soundproof room in that way, then you can try another, easier way. What is that?
How does sound insulation work?
To answer this, we must first understand what sound is and how it operates. At its most basic, a sound is the energy produced when something vibrates. This energy travels out from the source in waves, causing the air and any objects they come into contact with to also vibrate with the same frequency.
Unlike light, sound waves travel through most objects with relative ease, which is why you can still hear traffic noise despite having your windows closed.
Soundproofing works by adding extra obstacles which sound waves must travel through, reducing the energy of each wave until it is inaudible or dampened to such an extent that it is barely audible.
Most common reasons people soundproof their homes
There are many reasons why people decide to soundproof their homes, but the most common is to stop noise from getting in/out and to increase the value of the property.
To stop noise from getting in
If you live in a noisy area with a lot of road and foot traffic, then you know how disrupting street noise can be. The sound of engines, screeching tires, horns, sirens, and shouting are all commonplace and can easily disrupt your sleep or concentration.
Inconsiderate and noisy neighbors can be a nightmare. Whether it is an obscenely loud TV or non-stop late-night parties, they can seriously affect your quality of life by disturbing your sleeping patterns and denying your mind the opportunity to recuperate from a full day of people demanding your attention.
To stop noise from getting out
Musicians, vloggers, and others whose profession requires a recording space may take their neighbors into consideration and soundproof their home, or a room at the very least. This is done in order to keep the noise that they make down to a minimum so as to not disturb the lives of others living in the vicinity.
Increased value
Well-soundproofed homes provide a certain serenity. Upon entering, you are isolated from the outside world as its noise can’t reach you. This peacefulness can increase the value of your home substantially, especially if you live next to the main road or in a particularly noisy area.
How to soundproof your house from outside noise
Now that we know what soundproofing does and some of the reasons why people soundproof their homes, let’s dive into how to do the same to your house.
- Fix any holes or cracks in your walls. Inspect your walls and pay close attention to the areas around window frames, ventilation grates, and electrical sockets. If you find any holes or cracks, repair them with caulk. If the damage is substantial, reach out to a professional to handle drywall or plaster cracks and holes.
- Seal your doors. Installing weathering strips to your door frames not only helps to stop heat loss but can also help to hamper noise traveling throughout your home.
- Replace your internal doors. If the doors inside your home are hollow, you may consider replacing them with solid doors. This will reduce the amount of sound which is able to pass through. You could try fitting it yourself but for truly great results you better reach out to professionals.
- Replace or repair your windows. This is an expensive option, depending on how many windows you replace. However, upgrading your windows to double or triple-paned with PVC frames can dramatically reduce noise pollution. If you prefer natural materials, having your wooden windows and frames repaired can also help reduce the clamor and racket coming from outside.
- Fix squeaky floors. Hardwood floors look great and can add a lot of character to a room, but if one or more of the floorboards are loose, it can cause a never-ending squeaky nightmare. Although a fresh installation would be great, getting your flooring back in shape with trusty specialists is the best.
- Insulate your walls and ceiling. Installing insulation products, such as ceiling panels, mass-loaded-vinyl, neoprene rubber, viscoelastic foam, and fiberglass behind walls and ceiling panels can drastically lessen the amount of noise coming in, or out, of your home.
Easy Ways to Make a Soundproof Room
There is no need to renovate, to make a soundproof room, it is enough to put objects that are considered to be able to muffle the sound.
Maybe even some of them are already available at home.
So, no need to bother and spend a budget to buy it.
Here are a number of ways and objects that are considered effective in preventing noise and can be applied at home.
Utilizing Sound Damping Objects
Furniture with Rough Surfaces
Apparently, objects with hard and slippery surfaces tend to reflect sound rather than uneven, aka rough.
So it can be concluded that if you use furniture with a smooth surface, it will make noise here and there.
Therefore, using rough furniture can be an easy way to make a room soundproof.
Heavy and Solid Objects
In addition to using rough furniture, heavy and solid objects can also be an option.
One option that can be used is a wall shelf filled with lots of books.
It's not hard to find this thing, right?
The more books that are placed, the more you can minimize the sound entering the room. Let's try!
Read also:
Storage Shelf Decoration Ideas That Make Your Home Feel Relaxed
Cardboard and Cork
Cardboard and cork can be used as cheap sound absorbers so that the room is soundproof.
The trick is to coat the entire wall with cork or coat only certain areas that you want. Just adjust it to your needs and tastes.
The use of these two materials can also be created to make it more interesting and not look boring.
For example, made more beautiful with pictures or paintings. So it can be used as a wall decoration as well.
Carpet or Blanket
Examples of other objects that can make a room soundproof are carpets or blankets.
These two objects can be used by stacking them or installing them in some areas of the room floor.
Using carpets or blankets is very effective, especially for wood or ceramic floors.
Not even just on the floor, you know! Carpets or blankets can also be hung on the wall so they can be used to dampen echoes.
The thickness of the carpet or blanket is considered to be able to absorb echoes and loud noises and prevent them from spinning in the room.
The same principle also applies to curtains that are installed in layers until the thickness can drown out the noise.
Door Draft Protector or Weatherstrips
Doors and windows are the main entry points for noise. If windows can be tricked with curtains, then what about doors?
Well, for doors, you can use weatherstrips that are applied to the gaps around the door or you can also use a door draft protector.
A door draft protector is an air protector that is usually installed at the bottom of the door.
In addition to functioning as an air barrier, this object is effective at keeping outside sounds from entering through the gaps under the door.
The thing that needs to be ensured is that the knob is in the position that it is properly tightened. So the sound doesn't come in easily.
Paint
Painting may be one of the most interesting choices of soundproofing objects.
Yes, canvas painting is a soundproof material. So how do you do if you want to use this one object?
Easy! The trick is to install acoustic panels or tiles on the back.
So to make it look beautiful, make sure the tiles are cut to the size of the painting. Then use glue, then attach it to the wall.
Plant
In addition to painting, plants can also be an interesting choice. Yes maybe this raises a little doubt, can it really muffle the sound?
In fact, the plants but can make the room more beautiful, also can know be objects silencer.
The reason is, the leaves and stems are considered capable of refracting or deflecting, even absorbing surrounding noise.
In this case the size of the effect yes. Larger plants will be more effective in reducing noise.
Read also:
10 Recommended Indoor Ornamental Plants, Make Your Home Healthy and Beautiful!
Using Drywall
Maybe there are those who don't want to use the easy method above because they want optimal results so that the room is soundproof.
If so, then the first thing to do is to find out the main reason why the noise can be heard so clearly.
The occurrence of noise may be related to building structures and materials. This can be consulted with a contractor or acoustic expert.
What is clear is that many building materials available on the market today are specifically designed to muffle the sound.
Then for the wall, try to check first if there are cavities or holes in it?
If there is a cavity, then one of the indications is that it feels soft like cardboard. As a result, the sound from outside can be heard clearly.
Such cases can be overcome by providing special wall coverings that can be purchased online or directly from building materials stores.
These special wall coverings are available in a variety of options. But in general, the best option is drywall.
Drywall is a panel made of calcium sulfate which is processed with the addition of certain materials.
The result is a sheet and can be used on ceilings or walls. This material is considered effective at reducing.
If you decide to use drywall, it must be ensured that this material is installed properly without any cavities.
The trick is to make sure it can be done by using a few screws so that it is firmly attached.
In addition to drywall, the ceiling can also use an acoustic spray which is no less effective.
Using Acoustic Foam
The panel which is designed from soundproof material can function well for various weather conditions.
Because it is available in various sizes and shapes, you can choose the one that suits your needs.
Meanwhile, for the door, make sure to choose a solid and sturdy material, so that noise is difficult to enter.
This is done if you prefer to replace the door rather than adding sound-absorbing elements as above.
Usually, a solid type door like this will be more expensive. However, it is considered very effective in blocking sound from entering the room.
Then for the window, you can use framed vinyl or double window panels.
Smart home organizing tips that help with noise absorption
If you are unable to put the above suggestions into practice due to financial constraints or you are renting the property, there are some other methods you can use which won’t break the bank or require another person’s permission.
- Make use of big, thick rugs. If you cannot bear to cover your hardwood floors, the next best option for blocking some of the noise from below is to use rugs. The right rug can really tie a room together, as well as provide a soft, warm refuge for your feet.
- Consider putting up heavy curtains. Changing your curtains for an alternative made from a heavier material can absorb a surprising amount of noise from the street. To block even more noise, make sure that your curtains also cover the wall below and above the windows. For a fantastic job, consider our fantastic curtain fitting service.
- Rearrange your furniture. You can block some of the noise from the next-door neighbors by arranging your furniture so that larger pieces are placed against the shared wall.
- Build and fill a large bookcase. This one is especially aimed at book lovers. You can pick bespoke furniture or flat pack assembly. By filling the bookcase and ensuring there isn’t a lot of empty space on the shelves, you will find that a good amount of noise from the outside, or your neighbors, is unable to make its way into the room as books are excellent at absorbing noise.
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That's the easy way to make a soundproof room. How will immediately apply it in your resting place?
Remember, whatever method you use will be greatly influenced by the shape of the room and of course your budget. So, good luck!