Does outside noise keep your family up at night? Or is the honking on the streets always ‘hijacking’ your Zoom meetings? If so, it looks like you need to soundproof your home’s windows, doors, and walls with the best thing to keep inside noise out.
If you’re always on the brink of screaming ‘quiet, please!’, then you’re at the right post. In this article, we’ll discuss how to noise-proof an apartment or house efficiently so that you can enjoy some peace and quiet once and for all. Keep reading to see how these 7 tips can give your ears a break!
Why you should prioritize house or apartment sound reduction
Your home is supposed to be the most comfortable and safest place. But that can be hard to imagine if you’re constantly struggling with noise pollution when external sounds keep invading the privacy of your own home. Here’s why you should pay attention to this problem before you lose sleep and patience:
- You don’t deserve sleepless nights. You won’t realize how much noise pollution in your house affects you until you’re already missing out on restful nights. By knowing how to insulate sound in an apartment, you can prevent this from affecting your family.
- You can concentrate better without the noise. Proper apartment sound insulation will also help you concentrate better while working or studying at home.
- You’ll feel less tired in a quiet home. Constant exposure to noise will make you feel more exhausted and stressed, even at home. Studies also found that noise exposure has a relationship with hypertension and anxiety.
- Your family can communicate better in a quiet home. Do you and your family always have to yell to communicate at home because of outside noise? If so, it’s time to consider soundproofing apartments or houses to fix the problem.
- Excessive noise exposure will impact your child’s development. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), repeated exposure to noise can affect children’s language-related skills. So, if you have kids at home, you should invest in how to soundproof an apartment.
How to soundproof an apartment or house
Whether it’s traffic noise, loud conversations, a cacophony of construction sounds, or whatnot, these tips can keep them out of your home sweet home:
1. Install triple-pane windows
If you’re wondering how to soundproof a room in an apartment, the best solution is to invest in window replacement & installation.
To be specific, triple-pane windows are a great option for optimal sound and temperature insulation. Unlike typical single—or double-pane options, triple-pane windows have an extra layer of glass that blocks noise from entering your home.
In addition, you can get modern windows with varying thicknesses and improved sealing that prevents air and sound leaks. If you don’t know which one suits your home best, contact us at Boelter Is Better, and our specialist will perform an on-site inspection.
2. Upgrade to noise-blocking entry doors
Did you just get new windows, but the noise doesn’t seem to go away? In that case, you may need to talk to a door installer to see if your current entry doors are insulated enough to block external sounds.
You can consider upgrading to modern entry doors or patio doors with solid core construction and improved sealing that effectively muffles all kinds of noises. Also, it’s important to have a specialist install them for you to guarantee a tight fit, so noises won’t leak through any gaps.
Aside from effectively reducing noise in an apartment, new entry doors will also boost the curb appeal of your property. This is a great investment if you’re planning to sell your home soon or simply want to make it look more inviting to guests.
3. Get quality siding with good insulation
If you live in an old home, it’s possible that you also have outdated sidings. Because of natural wear and tear, the sidings will lose its insulation and soundproofing capacity, allowing external noise from entering your home.
In this case, it would be wise to contact a siding installer to know more about your best options. Nowadays, metal, engineered wood, and premium vinyl are popular among homeowners who are looking for the right balance of functionality and aesthetics. And no matter what you choose, you can contact us at Boelter Is Better for a free quote.
If you’re interested on how to soundproof your apartment or house with siding upgrade, contact us, and we’ll give you a free consultation. We also offer flexible financing options, so you can get your new sidings without the huge upfront cost.
4. Switch to thick, blackout curtains
If you need to soundproof an apartment but don’t have the budget for major upgrades, you can still block the noise with thick drapes. While they won’t entirely block outside noise, they can still dampen the sound to minimize the disruption to your home.
Aside from that, thick blackout curtains are also a great way to reduce drafts in your house during winter or summer. They’re great at blocking direct sunlight, which will do your home’s cooling system a huge favor. Just make sure that you choose a dense type of fabric to absorb as much noise as possible.
5. Add carpeting and rugs to absorb sound
Are you bothered by noisy footsteps around the house? Or does external noise tend to bounce on your floors and echo in your hallway? If so, you should know how to cushion the floor for sound efficiently in an apartment or house.
One way to do this is to install carpeting on your floor so it will absorb instead of deflect the sound. If you don’t want to make this huge change on your interior, you can also use stylish area rugs around the house to minimize the echo.
For maximum noise reduction, you should place the rugs in high-traffic areas, like your living room or entrances. You can also place them on hard flooring, which typically produces a lot of sound.
6. Consider replacing your home’s insulation
Do you wonder, “How can I soundproof my apartment or home as much as possible?” Well, the best answer is to have your insulation replaced or upgraded.
Most home insulation can last for about 20 years or more. Once it reaches that age, you should have your home inspected to assess the thermal and soundproofing performance of your current insulation. If it’s already degraded and inefficient, your contractor may recommend a replacement.
Aside from preventing noises from entering your home, efficient insulation is also crucial for comfort. Mankato has cold winters, so it’s wise to get an upgrade if your budget permits.
7. Seal gaps and cracks
Lastly, you should seal all gaps and cracks as part of your apartment sound insulation. Specifically, pay attention to the gaps around your windows, walls, doors, and utility lines where sound may seep. Aside from the noise, sealing these gaps will also prevent drafts and pests from messing with your home’s comfort.
On the other hand, you should also get your ducts and vents inspected for leaks. Leaks are a common problem that causes noise to travel from one room to another.
Overall, you can caulk small gaps around your windows and install weatherstripping on movable parts of your doors. We also recommend getting a door sweep to block dust, dirt, and noise from sliding underneath your main entrance.
Looking for sound-proof windows, doors, and siding?
If you’re planning to upgrade your doors, roofing, siding, and windows for soundproofing, Boelter Is Better is the only contractor you need!
For 30+ years, we’ve been the trusted exterior and roofing company in Mankato and Southern Minnesota. Through our professional exterior services, we’ve helped thousands of property owners improve their homes’ energy efficiency, noise reduction, and curb appeal. We take pride in the quality of our workmanship and deliver the same kind of service that we’d love to get for our own homes.
So, if you’re interested in boosting your home’s comfort and aesthetic, contact Boelter Is Better today! Our specialist will give you a free quote and consultation – no strings attached!
