Last updated on May 10th, 2022
You’ve fallen in love with a house. It’s the perfect size, in the right neighborhood, and you can afford it. The only thing is that it’s on a busy street, and it’s unbearably noisy. What should you do?
If you’re like many people, you might think that your only option is to either live with all the noise or give up on the house entirely. Did you know that noise pollution can also be bad for your health? In fact, it has been linked to high blood pressure, heart problems, and a higher risk of stroke.
But you don’t have to resign yourself to sleepless nights, silence-free dinner parties, or having to pause that episode of your favorite show every time a car goes by. With just a few tweaks, you can drastically improve your living situation and enjoy your life at home to the fullest:
1. Opt for double-paned windows
Windows are one of the most common ways that noise creeps into your home. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to install windows with double panes. They can reduce external noise by up to more than half. Also, they’re great insulators for the winter season!
2. Install curtains or blinds
If double-paned windows are too costly for you, you can always add curtains or blinds to your existing windows. They’re great for soundproofing. And it goes without saying–the thicker the curtain, the more sound it will block out. Even if you don’t use them for windows, thick drapes make a fantastic addition to any room in need of soundproofing.
3. Build a wall of bookshelves
This may seem like an unusual tactic, but bookshelves are actually great for absorbing sound and preventing it from moving around a space. Fill some bookshelves with books and build them along the perimeter of your house; they’ll help keep the noise contained within their space rather than letting it move throughout your entire home. Make sure the shelves are built snugly into the walls and there’s no extra air space leftover!
4. Door soundproofing
Even the tiniest gap in your door will let in noise from the outside. All you have to do is seal those gaps. Attach a few rubber doorstops to the bottom of your door, and when you close it, the rubber will keep most of the sound from seeping through. It’s a cheap fix that will give you some serious results.
5. Get a heavy-duty door
If you’re against the look of door sweeps, why not get a heavy-duty door instead? While they’re slightly more high-budget, the increased mass does a great job at muffling unwanted sounds. The same goes for double doors.
6. Install acoustic panels
Consider installing acoustic panels on your walls and ceilings. You can find some aesthetic options that do double duty: a decorative touch to your home AND a divide that blocks out the noise! (Bonus: They’re affordable!)
7. Invest in carpets
Carpets have been known to block out sound, especially if you have hardwood flooring. The additional soft layer helps in conducting less noise. You can even completely swap out your hardwood flooring for a carpeted one for maximum effect!
Pro Tip: Insert a density rug pad underneath your carpet to increase your carpet’s soundproofing potential.
8. Invest in a white noise machine
You might not have control over the noise level of your neighbors, but having white noise machines in each bedroom will help drown out sounds from outside while promoting better sleep overall.
If your house is on a busy street, you may have trouble sleeping, eating, and enjoying your space. No one deserves to feel uncomfortable in the confines of their own home, which is why these 8 ways to help soundproof your space might just be a game-changer!
Say goodbye to unwanted noise and hello to quality sleep, uninterrupted family time, and a happier and healthier life. For more tips, check out the Homebliss blog.
