Home Improvement

Peace and Quiet: Soundproofing Your Home for Best Results

You may not believe it. But if there’s one thing we have in common with the whales (aside from the fact that they are also mammals) is noise. The ears of the biggest creature on the planet have been under attack by sonar, man’s very own invention. At 235 decibels, sonar has negatively interfered with whales’ ability to echolocate and communicate with one another. The result? Whales are mass stranded on the beaches, with some eventually dying in the process.

Soundproofing Your Home

While noise pollution cases against whales can be deemed extreme, humans are not immune to the dangers of noise pollution. Fact is the bigger the city, the higher the noise pollution. And as getting back to country living may not be an immediate option for you, finding ways to manage noise pollution is paramount. Luckily, a host of ingenious strategies should bid you well. Allowing you to enjoy as much of the peace as you need.

How Noise Pollution Negatively Affects Your Health

Our ears can only hear so much. Those who dare to test the limits of human hearing are bound to reap catastrophic results. A classic example is Ozzy Osbourne. The lead vocalist of the heavy metal group Black Sabbath has hearing loss. And who wouldn’t? If you’re cranking up the amps so much that the ground shakes and glasses break, then it’s bound to get you into trouble. But Ozzy is not alone. Musicians who have lost their ears’ full potential include Barbra Streisand, Will.i.am, Neil Young, and Chris Martin.

So how much noise is too much? A long walk in a noisy street in New York could exceed 85 decibels. That can be considered risky. As it is, your pain threshold is pegged at 125 decibels. If you’re to attend a rock concert, that could get you about 115 decibels. But don’t push it. Manowar, a relatively unknown rock band, did a soundcheck that clocked 139 decibels. A thunderclap is about 120 decibels, while an ambulance siren can go 10 decibels higher than that.

The problem is noise pollution could impact your health negatively. Of course, the top of the list is NIHL or noise-induced hearing loss. But that’s just for starters. Extreme noise can cause your blood pressure to spike. Worse, if unresolved, habitual noise can also complicate heart disease, not to mention cause stress and disturb your sleep. Children aren’t immune to noise too. Young kids living near airports are having trouble concentrating and have poor memory. In short, they’re destined to struggle in class.

Soundproof Your Way to Quiet

With all that’s at stake, finding a way to manage the volume is paramount. Indeed, like our whale friends in the deep blue sea, all the noise could drive us mad. First up, seal those doors. Weatherstripping your door frames not only helps you stop the heat loss in winter but also diminishes the noise coming in from the outside.

While you’re at it, you can take a look at your windows. Installing new windows that are double-paned or triple-paned, along with the PVC frames, should come in handy. Properly done, this can go a long way in reducing the noise to a bare minimum. You can choose to DIY the process, but getting the experts is wise if you want a professional look and efficiency.

Another important consideration is replacing your internal doors with solid ones. A physical barrier reduces the sound passing through. Moreover, you should take a closer look at the insulation of your precious abode. A well-insulated house does not just keep the warmth in, but it also ensures noise from the streets doesn’t rattle your living space.

Absorbing the Noise

Sometimes, even the most insulated house can still get a lot of noise from the outside world. Another alternative method for you is to absorb the noise instead. This can also work hand in hand with your soundproofing measures. A good start is to install large thick rugs. Doing so will allow you to minimize the noise from below. A great one is a good way to brighten your room’s aesthetics while giving your feet needed warm refuge.

Another good alternative is to make use of thick curtains. Heavy drapes can act as a stopgap, absorbing unfiltered street noise. You might even extend those curtains to the walls to maximize the effect. Certainly, it takes a lot of work to soundproof your precious abode. But then, all that quiet that you enjoy after is worth the effort. It’s music to your ears.

Meta title: Best Ways to Effectively Soundproof Your Precious Abode

Meta desc: Getting your quiet can be a challenge these days. That’s why soundproofing your home can be a great way to have it. Here are some tried-and-tested ways.

Judith Barnes

I am a freelance writer and blogger based in New York City. I love to write about home design, landscaping, architecture, gardens, real estate, and exterior design. I also run a blog called Mypropertal, where I share tips about home and garden improvement projects. In addition to writing, I work part-time as a social media manager for a real estate company in NYC.

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