Modern homes are lovely to look and fully functional in terms of spatial use. But they are also noisy - this is brought on by thin walls, populations living in close proximity, and scores of noise sources, both inside and outside the house.
If excessive noise disturbs you, it might be time to consider soundproofing the house.
What Does Soundproofing Mean?
Soundproofing is the process of curtailing or eliminating the possibility of sound waves bouncing off different surfaces and creating noise. ‘Noise’ is any unwanted sound that disturbs your ears or thought process. It can range from a neighbour’s TV set playing loudly, to a wedding procession on the street outside your house, to even a family member talking on the phone.
Sound waves travel through the air and hit your ear at different frequencies. The change in frequencies makes it possible for your brain and ears to distinguish one sound for another. It is also the reason some sounds are harder to ignore, or seem louder, than others. For example, a bass guitar will definitely seem louder than your phone’s ringtone and will be more difficult to contain as well.
How Do You Do It?
Most people opt to soundproof their bedrooms or children’s study rooms to eliminate noise and have a peaceful night’s sleep or distraction-free study. This can be done by inserting special packing inside the walls to deaden the sounds coming from outside. But treating the walls is easier when the house is still under construction, or you will have to break the masonry – this option is not possible on already built external walls.
This means that you can try soundproofing the house on the inside without breaking any masonry or conducting major repairs. This blog explains how to do this.
4 Ways To Soundproof Your Home
#1 Get Sound-Absorbing Material Like Carpets And Rugs.
The simplest soundproofing solution any interior designer will offer, is to install a carpet or rug for the areas that you wish to soundproof. The best part is, adding a carpet to the living room or bedroom enhances the space’s visual appeal by leaps and bounds. So you end up with not just a soundproofing solution, but an aesthetically pleasing one as well. The carpet or rug deadens sound on direct impact, such as feet walking on the floor, and even absorbs sound waves hitting the floor from other objects or noise sources in the space. Pick from our range of colourful and functional room carpets and have them placed in your house at the desired points. Now sit back and enjoy a quieter, prettier room with Story@Home’s help.
#2 Get Acoustic Tiles For Walls.
Another good soundproofing idea is to apply acoustic tiles for the walls. This is a useful hack for those who use a part of the house for audio work, podcasting, etc. – it is an essential tool employed by recording studios, live performance theatre spaces, and the like. You can buy acoustic tiles to fill one or two walls in the room, especially close to the source of regular sounds, such as doors and windows. Or you can fix them right behind your desk. They’re typically not too attractive to look at, so you might consider adding a layer of plain acoustic sheeting on top – but consult your contractor for solutions first.
#3 Get Sound-Blocking Window And Door Inserts.
The doors and windows allow sound waves to come inside the house. You could keep them shut, but this is hardly a fool-proof solution – sound still filters in through glass or wood shutters, and from the crevice under the door. Besides, you end up cutting the natural flow of air into the house when you shut the doors and windows. Instead, you can add sound-blocking window and under-door inserts.
#4 Add Drapers And Curtains Wherever Possible.
Another easy hack to deaden unwanted sound is to install curtains and cotton drapes. The more absorbent the fabric, the more it absorbs sound waves. Not just curtains, you can even achieve the same effect with thick cotton comforters and sheets.
A quieter home is possible with the tips we’ve outlined above. Cheers to silence and healthier living!
