Home is a haven for everyone. Outside everyone has to deals with commotion and chaos that everyone loves the home to rest and relax. It is one’s sanctuary that the interiors must offer a peaceful retreat. There is a need to enjoy silent and calm moments. However, in the cities, there are noisy neighbors and within the home, the squeaks and creaks beat the peace and quiet that you expect.
Constant noise is harmful and frustrating, while continuous sound exposure can also dampen your hearing as a long-term effect. Finding ways to reduce internal noise is a must.
Divide your space
Divide the open space into alcoves of smaller size. Hang curtains stretching or place large plants strategically to create individual areas. The plants deflect noise, besides cleaning the air. It is a win-win situation.
Concentrate on energy-efficiency
The internal noise is due to home appliances. If you want to reduce internal noise in your home, look for energy-efficient appliances. They run quieter and installing them is environmentally-friendly. Thus, it means less noise and peace of mind. Being eco-friendly offers you a feeling of helping the planet. Buying a dryer or washer, a dishwasher or a refrigerator with high-efficiency means energy consumption and less noise pollution.
Soundproofing
Building a new room within a room helps in reducing internal noise. But if your space is not huge, you cannot afford to build a room inside. However, this does not snatch your desire of having a quiet area. Here are a few tips to ensure a quiet life and some peace.
- Soften the Surfaces: Sound bounces through flat and hard objects such as hardwood floor, glass, and tile. Thus, adding window trimmings, plush furniture, carpet, and even plants turns a flat room into a softer and silent area.
- Seal it Up: The doors have gaps and this may bring unwanted noise from everywhere indoors. The vents of the electrical outlets are a huge problem. Air enters anywhere and the sound follows. Sealing a room helps in keeping the space quiet.
- White noise: Fight the internal noise in a new way by masking it with white noise. This system employs soft sounds of moving air and covers the noise nearby. It is the right choice in commercial places and for new parents. In fact, a white noise system may transform a noisy office into a silent workspace. There are free Smartphone apps and white noise machines that are worth trying to reduce internal noise.
Sound is measured in several ways, and each product or material has its rating. The acoustic of a room may appear complicated when you try to understand sound. A glass window pane with 24 as STC rating allows sound to travel easily through its material and a concrete wall of 8-inch has an STC of 72. Thus, it shows not much sound can pass. You can use drywall and get it installed properly to get 50 or higher STC.
Basic steps to reduce internal noise
The internal noise causes sleepless nights and stress. If you have plans about renovation or some new construction as an addition, consider the techniques of soundproofing.
Sounds that cause internal noise are the sounds seeping into a room through doors and windows, walls, ceilings, and floors. The sound may be decreased by dampening or obstructing the sound wave. Fortunately, the new multiunit buildings and constructed homes feature noise-blocking.
Absorbing and blocking sound are two things, though absorbing is easier. You can add an acoustic panel for an inch. Covering the walls with materials helps in reducing the rating of the noise. An acoustical wall panel fabric-wrapped in 1-inch is now available in an array of colors. It can be designed as per your interior décor.
Having cork flooring is the best for sound absorption. If floors sport tiles, hardwood or linoleum, try carpet or rugs coupled with padding that is sound-absorbing. There are flooring options also to reduce internal noise. Considering floating hardwood has an advantage. This flooring installation leaves a gap between your actual floor and subfloor such that the sound is dampened effectively.
Last, but not least is the draperies to be added. They are amazing for sound blocking and absorbing. You may consider heavy materials such as wools and velvets. You can also consider a mass-loaded vinyl, for a better reduction in internal noise.