Acoustic blinds or curtains

These simple sound proofing ideas will be ideal for most properties and in some cases even for historic listed buildings.

10
Oct
2020

Soundproof Foam VS Acoustic Foam

The misconception about foam being soundproof exists mostly because people lack the understanding of the differences between sound absorption and soundproofing.

It is natural to assume that if products like foam absorb sound, there will be none that is left to escape the room.

Unfortunately, sound is not like a fluid that gets absorbed and trapped in something like a sponge. The way sound behaves needs to be understood clearly here.

Sound waves are nothing but vibrations and when they strike a surface, they tend to vibrate it.

Sound does not ‘pass’ through a wall or ceiling but merely vibrates it. These vibrations are further transferred to the other side and that is how sound transfer takes place through walls, ceilings, and other surfaces.

1. Walls and Ceilings

The most common myth is that panels made of foam can be stuck on walls and will reduce the amount of sound from entering or leaving a room.

The foam that you see stuck on the walls of studios is not meant for soundproofing but is meant for sound absorption. The products that do the actual soundproofing in a studio are something else.

What You Should Be Doing Instead

You should first of all try to make your walls heavier. You can add mass to your wall by:-

Extra Drywall

Installing an additional layer or two of drywall will help to reduce sound transfer. A 5/8” thick drywall sheet weighs 2.31 pounds per square foot. That’s some serious mass and is a great substance for reducing sound transfer.

Coming back to foam, there are many varieties available and their densities vary depending on the type and grade. However, the foam would have to be several inches thick to match the mass of drywall.

Pros

  • Low cost.
  • Lots of mass.

Cons

  • Effort and workmanship required to install.
  • Involves modification of structures, so not an option for rented apartments.

Floors

  • Impact Noise
  • Airborne Noise

Impact noise is the noise caused as a result of footsteps or furniture being moved on the floor.

Airborne noise is the sound that is normally transmitted through the air and these include traffic noise, dog barking, neighbors yelling, and everything else.

Posted by admin in Acoustic blinds or curtains, Acoustic panels, Acoustic Treatment, Airborne Sound, Control Sound, How To Soundproof Doors, Metropolitan Insulation, Modern Soundproofing, Sound Insulation for Old Houses, Sound Insulation Ideas, Soundproofing, Soundproofing Apartments, Soundproofing Commercial Property, Soundproofing for musicians, Soundproofing New Homes, Spray Foam Insulation
28
Jul
2020

Negative Effects of Sound Pollution

Every sound in a structure can be traced back to its acoustical roots. Creaky door hinges are rusty, too tight or in need of a good oiling. Floorboards squeaking or groaning are either incorrectly fastened or not plumb or true.

As for ominous loud ticking clocks, either you’ve been watching too many scary movies or you have very thin walls with no acoustical insulation and thin drywall layers. This too can be easily solved with a variety of wall types  from traditional staggered stud to new high-performance ultra-thin ZR walls.

Unintended Negative Effects of Noises

The impact of subway noise on surrounding neighbourhoods shows that increased cardiovascular disease is related to sleep disorders caused by rail noise in urban areas. While most spooky sounds are low frequency noise, subways do create a wider variety of noises than wind turbines or deep footsteps, thereby having a wider and deeper range of effects. These are similar to having a spooky bad dream including, but not limited to: 

  • Increased heart rate
  • Lack of deep REM sleep
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Elevated anxiety and stress levels

Last, but not least, is our favorite means of long-distance travel, airplanes.  Because of new engine designs, noise from aircraft is getting better with each generation. Nevertheless, there is still a significant impact on local environments and the people living there. Similar to subway noise, physiological issues include:

  • Cardiovascular issues
  • Cognitive issues in children
  • Elevated anxiety
  • Decreased attention spans due to sleep deprivation.
Posted by admin in Acoustic blinds or curtains, Acoustic panels, Acoustic Treatment, Bad Acoustics, Block Noise, Commercial Property, Common Soundproofing Myths, Hidden Noise Hazards, Home Insulation, Hotel Soundproofing, How To Soundproof Doors, Improved Insulation, Insulate Your Home, Insulating Your Loft, Metropolitan Insulation, Modern Soundproofing, Noise pollution, Noisy household appliances, Noisy Neighbours, Sound Insulation for Old Houses, Sound Insulation Ideas, Soundproofing, Soundproofing Apartments, Soundproofing Commercial Property, Soundproofing for musicians, Soundproofing New Homes, Soundproofing Party Walls, Spray Foam Insulation
15
Jan
2020

Noisy household appliances and how to stop them being a nuisance

You may be used to the familiar sounds of your household appliances whirring, buzzing and humming, but have you considered how the noise pollution in your home could be affecting your health?

According to the World Health Organisation, being exposed to noise that exceeds 55db can disturb sleep and cause stress, having a negative effect on health and wellbeing.

Other more serious illnesses that have been linked to exposure to high noise levels include heart disease, hearing problems, high blood pressure, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Whilst we may quickly find excessive noise from our neighbours or traffic outside extremely irritating, many of us accept and put up with the noise made by our household appliances.

Some of the noisiest appliances in our homes include:

  • Hairdryers
  • Vacuum cleaners
  • Food processors
  • Washing machines
  • Dishwashers
  • Air conditioning
  • Extractor fans
  • Refrigerators
  • Lawnmowers

If you have appliances in your home that make an excessive noise, there are steps you can take to try to minimise the effect they have on your health and wellbeing.

Close doors

Unless you have a home with an open plan design, simply remembering to close doors whilst very noisy appliances are being used can help to reduce the level of noise you and your family are being subjected to.

Replace noisy appliances with low noise Quiet Mark appliances

Quiet Mark is an international mark of approval given to certain low noise appliances by the UK’s Noise Abatement Society.

Soundproof your home

Speak to our team of experts here at Metropolitan Insulation about our domestic soundproofing and sound insulation services. We install a variety of different acoustic insulation solutions including absorbing foams, sound barrier mats, acoustic tiles, sound absorbing diffusers, and sound screens.

For more information about our services or to discuss your requirements, give us a call on 0800 028 4042.

Posted by admin in Acoustic blinds or curtains, Hotel Soundproofing, Improved Insulation, Insulate Your Home, Insulating Your Loft, Metropolitan Insulation, Noisy household appliances, Sound Absorption, Sound Insulation Ideas, Soundproofing, Spray Foam Insulation
10
Feb
2019

3 Simple Sound Insulation Ideas

These simple sound proofing ideas will be ideal for most properties and in some cases even for historic listed buildings if you don’t wish to go through the planning permission process.

Acoustic blinds or curtains
If your building is poorly insulated against noise from outside, then acoustic blinds or curtains can go some way to reducing the amount of noise entering rooms. It is important to remember however that insulating your room this way will be good at reducing echoes in a room but only when they are closed which is ok at night but you will need other sound proofing measures for daytime.

Synthetic grass
Fake synthetic grass is popular with gardeners that like the low maintenance aspect of it but it is also being put to use as a form of insulation. Whether it is laid on floors or walls it has proven to be a good soundproofing material if you like your spaces green and natural looking.

Acoustic panels
The beauty of acoustic panels is they are effective at insulating sound coming through walls and they can be decorative. But if your property is listed you may still need planning permission to install them.

Posted by admin in Acoustic blinds or curtains, Acoustic panels, Metropolitan Insulation, Sound Insulation Ideas, Synthetic grass