Car alarms, mobile phones, traffic, noisy neighbours – an urban area is an aural assault course. But what can you do when the noise starts at home?
Install acoustic ceiling tiles
These are relatively easy to install yourself and will help cut down on noise. A suspended ceiling, with tiles and blanket insulation in the cavity above them, is an expensive but more effective option.
Insulate individual items
Place your stereo against an unshared, outside wall and place speakers off the floor or on a piece of old carpeting to insulate them. The same can be done for a washer or dryer – try plumbing them into a spot where you can shut the door on them while they’re operating. Insulate your water heater and lag pipes. This will cut down on energy as well as noise.
Triple glazing
Traditional double glazing is fine for insulation, but usually not deep enough to affect noise levels. The ideal option is what’s known as triple glazing, where a single pane of glass is added a few inches away from a double-glazed panel.
Soundproof a party wall
If you are willing to lose a few inches of floor space, it is possible to soundproof the wall you share with your neighbours. This involves constructing a stud wall just in front of the existing wall, insulating the gaps and finally finishing the new wall with plasterboard.
Fit carpets
One disadvantage of a wood or laminate floor is that it’s noisy to walk on and sound travels through it easily. A thick carpet with a heavy, good-quality underlay will go a long way towards cutting out any sounds coming up from the room below.
Heavy curtains
Lined, velvet curtains like your grandmother used to have are very practical when it comes to deadening soundwaves. Update the design but keep ’em heavy.
Fit heavy internal doors
If you have internal doors, make sure they are solid rather than hollow. Like many other measures you can take to reduce noise, this will also save energy.
Talk to your neighbours
By far the most effective way of combating noise is to deal with the source. Speak to housemates, family members and your neighbours about noise levels. Try to avoid being confrontational when the noise levels are high and choose a time when you can discuss the issue calmly.