Unless you live in a very rural area with peace and quiet all around, chances are you may experience some noise pollution. City sounds and noisy neighbors can disturb our harmony at home, and may prevent a good night’s sleep. One way to counteract this is by soundproofing your bedroom or if your budget permits, your entire home. Read on for five soundproofing options you can implement, in order to have a more quiet and peaceful home.
Soundproofing compound: Soundproofing compound is a material which effectively absorbs sound. Soundproofing compound is applied like caulk and can be used to laminate a ceiling and existing wall. This method of soundproofing is a good option for homes, which do not have space to expand the wall or ceiling out by several inches.
Build double walls: By building double walls you can effectively reduce external sounds. This method uses a second wall or ceiling addition to your existing wall or ceiling to cut out sounds from outside (or inside). A second wall or ceiling is built several inches away from the existing wall or ceiling and the gap is filled with soundproofing insulation material or soundproofing compound. Ceiling soundproofing is a good option for ground floor ceilings in homes.
Flooring options: Some simple soundproofing options for your home can be to simply add carpeting or soundproofing mats.
Carpeting helps to cut down sound resonance and absorbs sounds. By adding special soundproofing mats underneath the carpeting you will effectively cut down the noise factor further.
Soundproof panels: Soundproof panels are panels which can be attached to your existing soundproofed walls in order to deaden outside noise further. These panels can be quite expensive though, and work best if used in conjunction with other soundproofing methods. So, it is best to consider other options first before installing soundproofing paneling.
Other options for soundproofing include adding door soundproofing, or purchasing a specifically made soundproofed door. Fixed furnishings and soft furnishings can also help to deaden sounds. Empty rooms or rooms that contain very little furniture can resonate sounds easier and choosing furniture that absorbs sound will help to cut down the noise factor. Wood is a good option for helping to absorb sounds, whereas metal can help to amplify or resonate sound. Soft furnishings such as cushions, throws and heavy curtainscan help to deaden sound further. Consider placing thick wooden bookshelves against walls as they are very effective in helping to reduce noise, and other thick wooden furniture such as a desk, a dining table, and a heavy wood coffee table.
Note: Always use a professional soundproofing company to carry out the soundproofing in your home. Make sure that they are experienced and find out what soundproofing materials they use. It is always a good idea to approach several companies to ask for a quote, but always check up on references and any feedback they may have received before making a decision. Soundproofing companies can be sourced online or via your local directory.