KEEPING THE PEACE
Foolproof soundproofing
Noise problems can cause a real headache for homeowners. Whether it’s your teenager’s music blasting too loudly from the basement, or a noisy neighbour who frequently entertains guests, improper noise mitigation in your home can really keep you up at night. When earplugs just won’t cut it, what can you do to keep the noise to a minimum, and your home at peace?
BREAKING DOWN THE SOUND BARRIER
When you understand the basic science of sound, the method you use to mitigate the effects of it travelling makes a lot more sense.
So let’s sound it out: sound is energy produced by vibrations. Those vibrations expand outward, making objects and the air around it vibrate as well. If you’re still in earshot before those vibrations dampen, you will register that sound in your head. When those vibrations move quickly, you get high-pitched noises — like from the morning birds. But when the vibrations are slow, you get lower notes, like from your neighbour banging on their drums (I’m guilty of this one sometimes).
What’s the answer to soundproofing, then? We need to stop those vibrations before they stimulate your eardrums. Generally, it’s easier to dull the fast vibrations than it is the slow ones. That said, here are some methods to dampen those vibrations and keep the sound to a minimum.
SHUTTING DOWN SOUND
Start with the obvious entry points for sound: your windows and doors. I talk about properly sealing your home for energy efficiency all the time, but this can also do some of the work when it comes to dampening the sound that enters your home. Check the caulking and seals around all doors and windows and replace any caulking that’s old or damaged. Double (or triple) paned windows with proper air gaps and seals can also reduce the sound that’s coming in.
Making some changes to the layout of the room can have more of an effect than you might think. Have you ever noticed when moving into a new home, how much an empty room echoes? A few strategically chosen items can help absorb the sound. For example, laying carpet instead of wooden floors, or hanging heavy curtains can absorb that sound without allowing it to travel throughout the house.
DOWN TO THE STUDS
The best time to really tackle your noise problems comes during a renovation if you’re taking things down to the studs. This is your chance to beef up what’s behind the walls and stop those sound vibrations in their tracks. There are types of batt insulation on the market that are designed to cut sound, and when it’s tucked into your floor joists or wall studs (leaving some space for dead air) it can really cut down on the sound transfer between rooms.
Another option can be found in your choice of drywall. Certain products are made to reduce sound vibrations that offer you the equivalent of eight layers of a traditional drywall.
If you want to soundproof a bathroom to reduce the sound of the toilet flushing, or pipes flowing, be very careful about which materials you choose. If your soundproofing drywall isn’t mould-resistant, make sure it’s not used on the interior of the bathroom because that’s asking for trouble. It can safely be used on the other side of the wall, but you always want to use mouldresistant products on the inside of your bathrooms.
NEIGHBOUR VS. NEIGHBOUR
If you’re in a semi-detached house, you may find yourself learning too much about your neighbours, or vice versa, if there isn’t much to stop the sound from travelling between units. For the sake of keeping everybody neighbourly, you may be thinking about soundproofing the shared wall.
Before you make any adjustments, remember that the most important function of the wall between you and your neighbour is to protect you from fire and smoke in the case of an emergency in the other home. Before you mess around behind the walls, make sure you’re not removing any of the fire-resistant materials there to keep you and your family safe.
Don’t blow your top when it comes to too much noise. There are lots of ways to mitigate sound. Find the solution that works best for you to keep those noisy vibrations out. I wish you good vibrations only.