Windows and doors are how outside noise gets into a home. If yours don’t block sound well, sleep, study, and daily life all suffer. A home that cost you hundreds of thousands—or more—can start to feel like it wasn’t worth the money.
This post looks at how to improve the sound insulation of doors and windows, with three simple ways to help you keep noise pollution out.
One fix is soundproof curtains. Professional soundproof curtains are made with high-density fabric or soundproof materials. Compared with ordinary curtains, they can absorb an average of 12 to 18 more decibels of noise, making them a good choice. When you install them, pay attention to gaps, especially at the top. Don’t choose something like a Roman column with large holes. Add a valance or curtain box if needed. Waffle-weave and tussah silk materials are recommended for better sound insulation.
Another fix is better seals. If doors and windows aren’t airtight, they let in wind and rain—and noise comes in through the same gaps, disturbing your rest. If poor airtightness is causing the noise, replace the window seals with EPDM sealing strips to keep the noise outside.
There are three simple ways to check whether doors and windows are airtight. If no air passes through, the airtightness is good. Close an A4 sheet of paper in the door or window, then try to pull it out. If the paper won’t come out, the seal is good; if it does, it isn’t. Hold a lighter near the closed edge of the window. If the flame flickers clearly, air is passing through, so the seal is poor. Run the fine hair on your finger along the closed edge of the window. If you feel airflow, the seal is poor.
The most effective way to block noise is to replace the doors and windows with ones that have good sound insulation. Thermal-break aluminum windows and suitable glass are recommended.
For glass, choose according to the type of noise. If your home is near a busy commercial area or an overpass, where high-frequency noise such as square dancing, street vendors, and horns is common, insulated glass is recommended. If low-frequency noise from trains, planes, or car engines is more common nearby, laminated glass is recommended. If both types of noise are frequent, or you need better sound insulation, laminated insulated glass is recommended. At present, triple-layer laminated glass with an insulating cavity is the most popular choice. Vacuum glass has excellent sound insulation, but it is very expensive, and its overall value for money is not as good as insulated or laminated glass.
Bought a street-facing home and never slept well again? Try these three tips and get your quiet, comfortable home back.
