Are you tired of feeling like you live next to a rock concert 24/7? Living in a noisy area can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you have a kid!
However, there are effective ways to reduce unwanted sounds and create a more peaceful home environment. Here are five practical strategies to help you tackle noise pollution and improve your living space.
This is a collaborative post.
1. Search for green solutions
Many plants are natural air cleaners, but did you know that they can also absorb sound waves through their leaves, branches, or stems? The more dense and lush your greenery, the more noise it can absorb.
Those can be snake plants, monstera, ficus or aloe vera. Begonia fern, for example, can absorb up to 98% of incident acoustic energy.
For your outdoor space, think layers and diversity:
- Create a green wall: Plant tall, dense shrubs or trees along your property line. Evergreens like arborvitae or holly are fantastic year-round noise blockers.
- Mix it up: Combine trees, shrubs, and ground cover for maximum effect. This multi-layered approach creates more surfaces for sound to bounce off and get absorbed.
- Go big with broadleaf: Plants with large leaves are particularly good at absorbing noise. Think maples, magnolias, or even banana plants if you’re feeling tropical.
- Consider the size: Larger plants with bigger leaves, like rubber plants or peace lilies, are your best bet for reducing indoor noise.
- Fill in the corners: Place plants in room corners and along walls where sound tends to bounce.
- Create hanging gardens: Don’t forget about hanging plants! They can help absorb sound from above.
Apart from their sound-suppressing qualities, plants also release moisture into the air, helping dry indoor environments. Their green colour also reduces stress and boosts feelings of well-being.
2. Install secondary glazing sash windows
Now, if you’ve got those charming old sash windows, I’ve got a secret weapon for you: secondary glazing sash windows. This nifty addition can cut noise by up to 80% without messing with your home’s vintage vibes. And bonus points – it’ll keep your place toasty in winter and cool in summer.
To implement secondary glazing on your sash windows:
- Take exact measurements of your windows, noting their height, width, and any special characteristics.
- Choose the proper kind:
- Vertical sash windows with horizontal sliding units
- Horizontal sash windows with vertical sliding units
- Hinged pieces for convenient cleaning and access
- For the best noise suppression, pick sturdy materials like aluminium frames with glass that is 4–6 mm thick.
- Choose between hiring a professional installer or doing it yourself. Although do-it-yourself kits are available, expert installation guarantees a good fit and optimal performance.
- For improved soundproofing, use high-quality weatherstripping and acoustic sealant to ensure effective sealing.
- Installing devices that make it simple to operate and clean both panes will maintain window accessibility.
- Choose low-E glass and keep the air space between panes at least 20 mm to maximise thermal efficiency.
- If required, add trickle vents to meet ventilation needs, and make sure some units are openable.
- Prior to installation, confirm local laws, particularly those pertaining to listed structures, and secure the required permits.
- Establish a routine maintenance schedule that includes washing the primary and secondary windows and changing the weatherstripping as necessary.
3. Choose soft furniture
Soft furnishings are your new best friends. Think plush rugs, heavy curtains, and enough throw pillows to build a fort. And here’s a cool trick – hang some textured wall art or disguise acoustic panels as trendy decor.
Soft furnishings are indeed excellent for absorbing sound. Here are some specific tips:
- Use heavy, lined curtains that are at least double the width of your window for maximum noise reduction.
- Place bookshelves filled with books against shared walls to add mass and absorb sound.
- Hang tapestries or blankets on walls, especially behind bookcases, for extra sound dampening.
- Consider cork tiles on walls – they can be glued or stapled and help absorb noise.
- Use area rugs with thick padding underneath to reduce sound reflection from hard floors.
4. Use white noise
If you’re looking for some silence, white noise can be a great ally. Despite the popularity of typical white noise, many people find that the lower frequencies of “brown noise” or “pink noise” are more calming. These substitutes may be more successful at blocking out undesirable sounds and less taxing on the ears.
Maintaining the volume at the lowest practical level is essential when utilising any kind of noise machine. This method preserves your hearing and saves energy. In relation to hearing protection, it is particularly crucial to exercise caution while adjusting the volume of white noise machines in the presence of youngsters since continuous exposure to loud noises may harm their delicate ears.
Natural noises can be a great substitute for some who find pure white noise a little too harsh. The soft patter of rain or the rhythmic crashing of ocean waves can produce a soothing mood while successfully obscuring outside disruptions. These natural soundscapes frequently feel more natural and unobtrusive than artificial white noise.
It’s interesting to note that some people find that a basic fan may produce enough background noise to block out undesirable sounds. With the extra advantage of air movement, a fan’s constant hum can serve as a low-tech yet efficient white noise generator. This multipurpose solution might be very helpful in stuffy spaces or during warmer months.
5. Seal the gaps
One of the most important steps in building a soundproof barrier in your house is caulking holes. Use a backer rod, which is a spherical piece of foam that acts as a foundation for caulk, to begin filling up wider gaps. This method greatly improves your soundproofing efforts by guaranteeing a stronger and longer-lasting seal.
Use expanding foam made especially for windows and doors for windows. By expanding to fill in spaces without warping or deforming the frame, this speciality foam improves sound insulation while preserving both utility and beauty.
Don’t ignore the less evident sources of sound leaks. Although they are frequently disregarded, outlets, vents, and the spaces around pipes can be important sources of noise intrusion. Your entire soundproofing plan can be significantly improved by addressing these areas.
Acoustic sealant can be used in place of standard caulk to seal spaces between hard materials. Acoustic sealant is more efficient for soundproofing because it is specially made to reduce sound vibrations. Noise reduction can be significantly improved with this tiny adjustment.
Finally, don’t undervalue the need for weatherstripping for windows and doors. Surprisingly large volumes of noise can enter your environment through even the smallest air holes. Adding weatherstripping is a comparatively easy do-it-yourself project that can significantly improve your home’s sound insulation and overall peace of mind.
Here are five easy yet powerful techniques to turn your house into a calm haven. Keep in mind that building a tranquil sanctuary where you can fully unwind and refresh can be achieved with a little imagination and work.