How to Reduce Noise from Windows
Do you know how to reduce noise from windows? My home is my fortress, but noise is my enemy! True enough, whether it’s highway traffic, noisy neighbors, or birds chirping, any noises from the outside world are bound to interrupt your everyday routines, particularly if they intrude while you’re in your bedroom or another place that’s supposed to be a sanctuary or workspace (more about sources of noise on silencewiki.com).
Even though you can’t monitor what happens outside, you can soundproof your house parts, like windows using the methods described here, either alone or in combination, to avoid or at least suppress noise. If you want to achieve the ultimate peace and quiet, we suggest that you focus on reading some effective methods that really work (read about how to make the whole room soundproof from outside noise on silencewiki.com).
So, How to Reduce Noise from Windows?
1. Move Your Furniture Around
We’re both aware of how the noise travels. It normally flies through the air until it lands on something. It then goes through or rebounds off the surface. The idea is that it loses some of its sounds every time it does one of those things, and as a result, it dies out more easily.
Rearranging the old furniture or adding some new components is one way to bring more barriers to the sound’s route. Soft, irregular surfaces can be used to absorb sound waves and prevent them from echoing around the area, eliminating echo and reverberation. Wide pieces of furniture should be placed against the window (s) from which the most noise is heard. The impact would be more apparent the greater the region the furniture occupies. Because of their density, heavier furniture is often more successful.
Video: Carpet and Furniture Acoustics – Are they effective?
2. Fill Gaps Around the Windows
Now, this is a more permanent solution. Outside noise can intrude into your house through the small cracks between the wall and the window’s boundaries. It’s shocking how little attention we pay to these minor details. What should you do? You must block these narrow passageways to avoid the sounds from passing in.
This is when acoustic calk comes into play. It will produce fantastic results, and you won’t have to repeat it for at least three, if not four years. That’s why it’s so great: it’s a fast repair with a high degree of longevity and durability (read more about how to seal gaps around your windows on feldcochicago.com).
Video: How to fill gaps around the window? DIY
3. Hang Heavy-Weight Dual Layer Curtains
Many people opt for noise-canceling or heavy-weight dual-layer curtains, or also known as thermal curtains, to assist with acoustics and insulation as a basic soundproofing remedy. Many of these window remedies may also be used as blackout curtains with a foam backing to help shut out the noise. Curtains that absorb sound and block light are a great choice for bedrooms and other sleep and relaxing areas and are particularly popular with people who work night shifts and need to rest during the day. Plus the aesthetic! Make sure to get one that can complement the room.
Acoustic Curtains Absorption and Sound Reducing – Lab Tested to 11db – 5-7 Decibels Real Office Test
4. Use Soundproof Blankets
Soundproof blankets may be used to suppress noise in the house by blocking several noises from entering one room from another. This is a temporary product that can be hung over doors and windows to keep out ambient noise without costing a lot of money. It also looks cool!
These sound-absorbing blankets are made of fabrics that absorb sound. The blanket’s thickness is also significant. And the way the blanket is sewn will help to muffle noise. These blankets are ideal for spaces with a lot of rough surfaces but no furniture. When sound will freely rebound from the floor to the walls to the ceiling and back (more about acoustic blankets on soundproofpanda.com).
Video: Soundproofing Acoustic blankets
5. Buy Interior Shutters
This is a familiar window accessory that we think functions to only block light. The more material you can place between the origin of your noise emission and the interiors, the greater the acoustic efficiency. Noise can be reduced by using some kind of blinds or shutters.
The best style of shutters for soundproofing is honeycomb cell shades. Because of their honeycomb construction, they can catch more air and keep it out. Choose ones with double cells for even more acoustic advantages. Noise-reducing window treatments include wood window shutters and insulating blinds (more later). Since wood is porous, it is an excellent sound-dampening medium. Insulating blinds are made of a heavier mesh, which ensures they can filter out sound better (read about modern interior shutters for each and every room on trendir.com).
Video: DIY plantation shutters – video guide explaining all the options
6. Hang Professional Acoustic Panels
Acoustic panels, which may resemble the previously described blankets, are another hack to try. You should be aware, though, that acoustic panels are significantly thicker and bulkier! And the more mass there is, the less noise there would be.
The most important thing to remember is that these panels are made of quilted fiberglass, which serves as a sound shield. As a result, this substance acts as a sound barrier, preventing sound waves from passing through! Furthermore, because of their rough surface, they can greatly eliminate echoes and absorb sound from all sides of the panel. You can quickly mount them to any surface using hooks or nails. Just keep in mind that the closest they are to the walls, the more noticeable the result would be.
Video: $50 DIY vs $450 PRO Acoustical Panels (Worth It?) – Echo & Sound Proofing
7. Choose Thick Window Blinds
Installing dense material blinds or shades is another way to minimize noise levels in your house. You will be very happy with your purchase if you choose this option. It won’t be a hassle to mount them on your windows because the installation is simple and quick. Naturally, this approach can not fully eliminate the noise. It can, however, aid in its reduction.
Apart from noise reduction, these blinds and shades will also allow you to control the amount of light that enters your room. Essentially, you can have a sense of privacy and quiet, as well as keep unwelcome light out of the room, anytime you want.
Video: Smart Blinds For Our New Home!
8. Install Window Inserts (Plugs)
Foam is not a good soundproofing material for the house. If you’re looking for a fun and easy DIY project to keep you occupied, consider making a soundproof window plug. These plugs are a perfect option because they save you from having to tinker with the window. Furthermore, they are really inexpensive, and you’ll be surprised at how well they block sound leakage!
When you need some peace and quiet, simply plug them into a window opening. After that, literally, let them out. This is a highly useful approach for fully controlling the amount of noise in your household. The great part about this method is that it will only cost you a few dollars in supplies and will be a nice little project for you to do. This is one of the most affordable choices for “do-it-yourself” window soundproofing (all about window inserts on gryphongaragedoors.com).
Video: Window Soundproofing with Indow Window Inserts
9. Attach an Extra Layer of Glass or Acrylic
If you’re a seasoned do-it-yourselfer, you might be able to complete a secondary glazing project on your own. You should cover the interior of a current window with acrylic or glass.
You’ll need to add a metal frame over your current window to do this. The acrylic film or glass is then attached with magnets. This is the most efficient method for soundproofing windows at home. However, bear in mind that if you don’t use laminated glass or acoustic grade glass, you won’t notice a significant acoustic difference. For small noise issues, attaching an acrylic or glass sheet can be a viable alternative, but not for very noisy, deep sounds.
Video: Soundproofing a Window With One Item! Cheap, Easy & DIY!
10. Buy New Soundproof Windows
Noise-reducing glazing is built to a soundproof window, it is a form of glass that reduces sound waves passing through windows to provide acoustic insulation. The noise of a sound wave is minimized by lowering its acoustic capacity. Every material that is impacted by sound waves experiences some reduction.
While soundproof windows resemble traditional double or triple glazing, they have a number of features that help to minimize outside noise. To begin with, the individual glass panes are thicker, with a wider air cavity between them. This tends to minimize the resonance of loud noises while still making sound transmission more difficult.
Filling the glass units with an inert gas such as argon or krypton is another unique feature used to help soundproof a window or door. Sound has a harder time passing through these gases than it does through natural air. Sound waves lose energy and therefore amplitude as they go through the gas (read Soundproof Windows Guide on soundproofingtips.com).
Video: Soundproof Casement Windows – 51dB Triple Glazed Acoustic Window
11. Extreme Measure: Completely Block the Window
The most extreme method is to remove the window totally and completely. If none of the other solutions seem adequate and you live in a particularly noisy neighborhood, we recommend completely blocking your window. You would certainly be able to eliminate the noise in this manner. On the other hand, you should consider your options carefully before making this decision. Do you realize that once you close it, there will be no window at all?
That may not sound like a big deal, but you should be aware that windows are placed in specific locations for a reason. Apart from the annoying noises, the windows allow sunlight to enter your house. They also provide you with fresh air and maybe a pleasant view. So, before you choose this full blockage process, think about it.
12. Combine Some Methods
As I said in the introduction combining these methods works best too. It’s better to fully consider all your choices. For example, you can combine buying a heavyweight dual-layer curtain while rearranging your furniture around the window, not only it will help you to minimize noise, it will also give you a more aesthetic appeal in the room.
Likewise, if you want a more strong combination, you can seal the gaps with a caulk while adding a window insert at the same time. This will make a proper windshield to block any gaps and passageways for the noise to enter your house.
There is no right or wrong combination with these methods since it all works. It would depend on your budget, if you can do them all just for you to have the ultimate peace and quiet, be my guest and do so! Make sure that you will do them well. Keep in mind that no amount of money will equate to your peace, these methods will surely restore your peace and quiet, but the true question is, which works best for you?
