We receive many calls a week from frantic homeowners who want to sound proof their homes from noisy neighbours, the pub down the road, or even traffic noise. Some people are more tolerant of noise than others. There are two ways of sound proofing your home.
One is the professional way, which is expensive; the other is the budget version that we will cover in this post. If you have a problem with noise pollution in your home, here are a few tips. Sound proofing your home can be difficult, but here are a few sure-fire ways to make a difference without a bank loan.
Sound Proofing Your Home on a Budget
There are several ways to soundproof your home, but the most efficient is to call in the pros. This will be an expensive option, as windows and doors, as well as floors and roofs, need to be considered.
Then there are walls where noise travels through from the neighbours. We install a Drywall with a cavity space against the existing brick wall in these applications. The cavity space is then fitted with CavityBatt to reduce sound penetration. However, in this post, we will look at a 90% DIY option that will save you money and, in most cases, be very efficient.
There are two common types of sound: noise pollution and acoustic noise. Acoustic noise is a tiny echo in a concrete room. Reducing sound vibration can be easily solved with the right carpeting and sound-absorbing methods.
If you have ever walked into an empty home and talked, you will realize it is pretty noisy. Now, fill the room with furniture, carpets, and curtains, and it’s a different room.
Remember, sound signals bounce like those little rubber balls that accelerate and bounce fiercely when your little one throws them on the floor. If they throw that same ball on densely padded carpeting, the ball will hardly bounce. That is how acoustics will work. However, that is not your problem with the noisy neighbours or club down the road is your problem
Sound travels through windows, doors, walls, roof space, and floors. The biggest challenge in most homes is usually through windows, doors, and roof space. We will look at a few economical ways to soundproof your home on a budget.
Windows: Sound Proofing Your Home
The windows in your home are one of the big culprits for allowing noise into your home. Unless you have double-glazed windows, you will need to do something about the windows.
Remember, single glass panes in most windows are no match for any home. However, this one can be easily fixed as a DIY option that is not overly expensive.
- Replace your average curtaining with a few layers of heavy fabric. This will give you two benefits: heavy curtaining will reduce noise pollution and, at the same time, reduce heat flow in and out of the home. The curtain rails must also be extended by at least 250mm on either side of the window. Also, ensure you have enough curtains to have the curtains fan-folded when they are closed. This will give the curtained an excellent acoustic effect.
- Seal all windows and make sure your windows are almost airtight when closed.
- Look at replacing the thin glass panels with thick glass. This will not be as good as double-glazed glass, but it will cost far less and still be effective.
Carpets: Sound proofing Your Home
Installing the right carpeting can make a substantial difference in the home. However, this must be dense carpeting with a proper acoustic heavy underfelt. This will give you excellent acoustics in the house, especially with the heavy curtaining you have now installed.
When you play music or talk in your home, there will be far less noise reverberation and more good-quality sound. In most cases, you will have to increase the volume of your TV as the acoustics reduce NOISE levels.
Good quality carpeting will go a long way to soundproofing your home.
Doors: Sound Proofing Your Home
Doors can be problematic for soundproofing your home, as many doors are hollow. Solid wood doors can be a problem if they do not seal well.
Seal the doors as best you can with sealing rubber bought from most hardware stores. Also, try using solid wooden doors.
Sound Proofing Your Home With Roof Insulation
Most sound travels through the roof, which is why roof spaces are usually very noisy. This is especially true in South Africa, where we use roof tiles and metal sheeting.
Roof tiles allow vast amounts of sound to travel into the home. Remember, all that separates you from your roof and your home is a 6mm rhino board ceiling panel. This allows sound to pass very quickly.
How can this be solved? It’s very simple: Install insulation that will give a good NRC. Products like the 135mm Think Pink Aerolite have an NRC of 1.1, which is great. In extreme cases, two layers can be installed; however, one should be more than adequate in most homes.
Other recommended products are the Energy line acoustic products; however, they are far more expensive but do the job as well as the Aerolite insulation. For more info on the specifications of Aerolite, read this page.
There is also the Isotherm Insulation. However, it has a rather low NRC, so it would be a little more expensive, as one would have to install at least two layers of the 145mm Isotherm Insulation. For more specifications on Isotherm Insulation, read this page.
Soundproof foam panels are also a cost-effective way to reduce home noise.
Remember, when installing the Aerolite, it would be advisable to use the services of Aerolite installers like ourselves. This will ensure that you get the best possible noise-saving benefits.
Should you need more info about soundproofing tips or acoustic tips, please fill in our contact form describing your problem and we will respond to giving you some more tips. Alternatively, give us a call.
