How To Block Noise Out From Other Houses

A concealed suspended ceiling grid system suitable for most internal drylining ceiling applications. Photo @ADA Fastfix Ltd

If you live in an area where there are many noisy neighbours, it might be difficult to find peace. Fortunately, DIY projects and home improvements may help you decrease surrounding noise. Here are some ideas for reducing the sound from your neighbour’s activities.

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Soundproof Your Walls

Neighbours’ noise, particularly in a flat, is frequently an issue. In shared areas, because the walls are generally thinner, sound travels more readily.
Acoustic foams and panels are two of the methods to soundproof your walls, one of which is to utilize them. These panels are generally made of fibreglass and reduce noise transmission by air- and sound-resistant.

By dry lining your walls, you may improve insulation and damp proofing. This will not only decrease noise; it will also result in lower thermal loss and energy savings.

Sound does not travel as well through thin materials, so the thicker you can make your walls, the better. The dry lining of plasterboard is quicker and easier to install than wet plaster, which explains why it’s also more affordable if you hire someone to put it for you. However, a vapour barrier must be installed behind the plasterboards in order for air to flow freely. Avoiding condensation and preventing dampness from forming is easy with a dry lining. A variety of dry lining materials and insulation fixtures are accessible to make this as cost-effective as possible.

photo @mondiniarredamenti.it/

Plug Gaps In The Door

Cheap materials are frequently used in the manufacture of outside doors, which do not reduce noise. If you have the financial means, upgrading your current door to one that is constructed of sturdier, thicker materials can be a smart idea. This will assist to deaden the sound from your neighbours. If that’s not an option, you can modify what you have to minimize sound transmission.

If the sound is leaking in from the outside, there’s a good chance your door has gaps or holes around it. A foam sealant may assist to make your doors more airtight by sealing them. A door sweep that is attached to the bottom of your door may also be beneficial, as it not only absorbs noise from the outside world but also prevents draughts from entering.

Check Your Windows

If you live in a noisy environment or on a major thoroughfare, it’s conceivable that noise pollution is coming from the outside rather than your adjacent homes. If this is the case, your windows may be to blame for the sound.

Again, sealants are the best solution to keep noise and drafts out. Double glazing, on the other hand, not only keeps sound from passing through thinner glass panes (as well as increasing your home’s warmth!), but it also prevents noise from travelling through thicker panes of glass!

@Igniv Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland, 2020; Interiors: Patricia Urquiola; Photo credit: John Andrew Davies + Maurice Haas

Make the Most of Small Spaces with Soft Furnishings

Many people are unaware of how effective thick curtains and fluffy carpets may be in dampening noise.

Curtains constructed of superior materials, like polyester or velvet, keep the heat in and noise out, making them a smart investment. Rubber-backed rugs, for example, can offer an extra sound barrier because they are thick. This is all the more true if you have only hardwood or vinyl flooring, as carpeted materials do a far superior job of shutting out the noise.

Furniture may also help to absorb excessive noise. We’ve all had the echo caused by an empty room before! You may reduce echoing and create a more peaceful atmosphere by adding a few more items of furniture to your house or hanging frames on the walls.

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Final Notes

You can’t always stop the noise of your neighbours, but you may at least reduce it. The ideas in this article will aid in lowering the volume of your neighbours’ voices. This should hopefully lead to a quieter environment to live in.

photo @mondiniarredamenti.it/