Too Loud! Insulating against Outside Noise

You won’t ever be able to make your home completely soundproof, but you can do quite a bit to block outside noises. With a few simple upgrades and renovations, you will be able to create a peaceful environment inside your home.

Invest in Sound-Blocking Curtains

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to minimize indoor noises is to put up sound-blocking curtains. Unlike traditional draperies, sound-blocking curtains are made from multiple layers of tightly woven fabric. Some of those curtains also have vinyl cores that absorb and reflect sound waves. Installing sound-blocking curtains is a very easy project that should take you no more than an hour to complete.

Install Acoustic Tiles

Acoustic tiles aren’t going to prevent outside noises from getting into your building, but they should reduce echoes. They can also decrease how much noise is transferred from one story of the structure to the other. Some acoustic tiles can quickly be fixed to an existing ceiling with construction adhesive, and you will be able to easily remove them if they ever need to be replaced. As an added bonus, acoustic tiles now come in a wide variety of designs, and you are sure to find a set that matches your favorite décor.

Properly Seal All Openings

Another simple project that could have a major impact on the noise levels inside a building is properly sealing up all of the openings. At least once every few months, you should caulk around all of your doors, windows, vents, and pipes. In addition to reducing noise transference, sealing up the openings is also going to improve the insulation. This simple project could potentially reduce your heating and cooling costs by hundreds of dollars a year.

Add Roof Cladding

The primary purpose of roofing cladding is to prevent moisture from getting into a structure, but that material should dampen sounds as well. This upgrade will be especially beneficial if you live in an area that frequently gets heavy storms. While you might be able to carry out some of these projects on your own, cladding needs to be installed by a licensed roofing contractor.

If you have tried these few tactics and your home still seems noisy, then you might need to consider more comprehensive renovations. Installing soundproof windows and doors can be pricey, but those upgrades will greatly reduce the noise levels inside any structure.

Addy Reeds is a freelance writer from Eugene, Oregon. She discovered her passion for journalism while attending the University of Oregon. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @addyreeds1; https://www.facebook.com/addy.reeds