If you hate being woken up or disturbed by lawn mowing or construction work being done in your neighbourhood, you should consider soundproofing your home. It’s one of the best ways to turn it into a serene and relaxing environment. Outside noises can be very irritating, but you don’t have to deal with them. In this article, we share some easy soundproofing hacks that will help you drown out noise from outside and noisy neighbours so you can enjoy some much-deserved peace and quiet.
Home renovations made simple
1. Stick to solid core doors
The doors in your home are essential for soundproofing. If they aren’t made to be good at isolating you from outside sounds, they’re just going to act as a gateway for noise. This is why you’ll need some doors that are fit for the job. Solid core doors come to mind. Solid core doors are very effective at absorbing sounds and making sure your home stays as quiet as you want it to be. Coupled with vinyl weatherstripping and a threshold seal, you’re looking at a tough door that sounds won’t be able to pass through.
2. Use caulk liberally
You might not think there are a lot of cracks and crevices in your home. After all, if you take good care of it, why would there be any? However, some of the most benign and everyday installations in your wall could act as entrance points for noise. Think things like electrical boxes and ductwork. These are vulnerable points in your wall that aren’t exactly insulated as well as they should be. Taking care of them is easy, though. All you need is a bit of caulk and an eye for details. Caulk-up the edges and try your best to cover everything that could be a weak point. With a few adjustments, you should have your walls soundproof and protected from any sounds coming from the other side.
3. Soundproof the ceiling
Many times, the noise from your neighbours will seem like it’s coming from above. This is because your ceiling and roof are pretty poor sound insulators. But the good news is that you can avoid this nuance with noise-absorbing materials. Fibreglass insulation is a common option for soundproofing ceilings. What perhaps works more effectively is heavy material such as drywall, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), or a layer of heavy vinyl sheeting.
4. Cover your windows properly
The windows in your home are like open doors to sounds coming from your neighbours or the rest of the block. There’s not a lot that you can do to change the acoustic qualities of the glass other than adding additional layers. Even that might not be as effective as you would prefer. The other option is to add coverings to your windows that will help absorb the sound. Motorized blinds are a cost-effective way to provide noise-insulation. They also come with a handy remote control, so you can adjust your settings without having to get up from the couch.
5. Add acoustic board layers
If you’re really determined to get your home sound-proof, you can always add a layer of acoustic board to your home’s walls. It’s more work than other options, but the results will ensure you live in a quieter home—free from interruptions and distractions. Adding acoustic board is one of the more effective ways to make up for your home’s sound-proof shortcomings, and you don’t have to go around replacing doors or sealing things. When you’re out of ideas, this can be your saving grace against irritating noises from the outside world.
Prepare your home with better soundproofing
Drowning out the outside noise is a difficult task in both urban and suburban environments. People are constantly driving cars and making a commotion in the neighbourhood, potentially disrupting your home life. This is why it’s important to consider all of the options when deciding to insulate your home to make it soundproof.
SmartReno can help you find the right contractor to soundproof your home.
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