Introduction
Nowadays, noise is considered as a byproduct of a modern life. Depending on where you live, noise pollution has become a real problem that increases your stress levels, causes sleep disorders, and overall reduce your quality of life.
While it’s almost impossible to remove all the noise from your house, you can significantly lower the noise level with some sneaky tricks and devices mentioned below.
Stay away from the hustle and bustle outside and find lots of peace and quiet inside your house by taking these simple steps to create a noise cancelling system for your home.
Contents
- Introduction
- A Note About Creating A Noise Cancelling System For Your Home
- Soundproof Your Windows With Blackout Curtains
- 1. NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Blackout Lined Curtains
- 2. H. Versailtex Premier Blackout Wider Curtains
- 3. NICETOWN Three-Pass Microfiber Curtains
- 4. Warm Home Designs Thermal Blackout Curtains
- Use Soundproof Blankets
- Seal Your Doors
- Soundproof Your Walls
- 1. Foamily Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedges
- 2. Mybecca 12 Pack Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedges
- 3. Acoustic Foam Egg Crate Panel Studio Foam Wall Panel
- Take Care Of Your Ceiling
- Soundproof Your Garage (If You Have One)
- Keep A White Noise Machine Close To You At All Times
- Silence The Noisy Pipes Inside Your Home
- Take Care Of Your Squeaky Floor
- What Are The Key Take-Aways?
- What Else Can I Do To Block Out Noises?
- Conclusion
A Note About Creating A Noise Cancelling System For Your Home
When it comes to creating a noise cancelling system, the best option is to combine a number of different tactics to try and minimize noise.
Keep in mind that your specific home is different than everyone else’s, so you need to pick what is going to be best for your own unique situation.
Below we outline a huge variety of noise cancelling options – implement which options are best for you and your home.
Soundproof Your Windows With Blackout Curtains
Perhaps, you’ve already heard of the noise-canceling windows that block up to 50% of noise pollution.
The development is incredibly helpful and all thanks fly to researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. However, since such windows aren’t available right now, think about soundproofing your old windows.
It’s not a secret that the majority of noise pollution comes from windows, so if your windows are as old as your house with only one layer of glass, consider buying new ones.
New windows can significantly cut sounds coming from outside. If you’re on a budget or you’ve just installed windows but still go crazy with the outside sounds, try soundproofing curtains.
These curtains are thick and they’re designed to prevent thermal leakage and stop sound coming through.
There are hundreds of designs and sizes of soundproofing curtains available on the market today so you’ll definitely find some that will fit your house interior.
Some of the best soundproof curtains we recommend are:
1. NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Blackout Lined Curtains
Apart from blocking the outside noise, NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Blackout Lined Curtains help to block out almost 100% of the outside light, making these curtains an ideal option for a daytime nap, need to focus at their home office, and those who just crave peace in the middle of the day.
The design of these curtains makes them easily drape around the windows, absorbing the light and the sound.
2. H. Versailtex Premier Blackout Wider Curtains
H. Versailtex Premier Blackout Wider Curtains come in a variety of shades and are durable and heavy-duty. With a size of 100×108, these curtains are for large windows, aiding in keeping the outside noise away.
Easy to install, these huge curtains are a worthy investment to help prevent noise from entering your home.
3. NICETOWN Three-Pass Microfiber Curtains
Protect your home from the noisy outside world with these unique NICETOWN Three-Pass Microfiber Curtains. Blocking the majority of the outside light and noise coming into your house, NICETOWN Three-Pass Microfiber Curtains will also help you save on your energy bills.
Believe it or not, these curtains help regulate the temperature inside your house. They are available in different colors.
4. Warm Home Designs Thermal Blackout Curtains
One of the most durable soundproof curtains for smaller windows, Warm Home Designs Thermal Blackout Curtains block 99% of the entirety of the outside light and noise. These are top quality curtains that will serve you for many years to come.
Use Soundproof Blankets
If you need silence and peace in your house but don’t want to opt for changing out all of the curtains in your home with soundproofing curtains, try using a blanket with soundproofing qualities.
It may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option on this list, but it can help block out outside noise. If you do not want to opt for a specialty blanket, your regular blanket can do the trick, although it won’t be as effective.
Soundproofing blankets can also be used on your doors as well. Our top choice when it comes to soundproofing houses is US Cargo Control Moving Blanket. This blanket is easy to install – whether you want to soundproof your window or door, it’s easy to use and can be moved around to different parts of your home.
Seal Your Doors
The doors in your home can be a major source of the noise because it lets in sound from the outside world, just like with windows. As mentioned above, you can use blankets or curtains to fight the noise, but it’s better to install a solid door.
When compared to the hollow core constructions that are horrible at blocking sounds, solid doors provide an effective sound barrier. There are also solid doors that are created specifically for reducing the noise coming from the outside.
Moreover, the majority of noise might not come through your door. It can actually sneak around your door. Try providing a seal by installing door soundproofing or weatherstripping. The weatherstrip tape is used all around the door, as well as in between the door and the wall, which are the door’s weakest spots.
Keeping Fun Indoor Weather Stripping tape can help you block the noise coming from both windows and doors. It can also be used for warding off dust, wind, cold, and insect. Since the tape is self-adhesive, it takes a few minutes to soundproof your doors and windows so why not?
The door sweep is another way to block the noise. It’s used on the bottom of the doors. Since you can’t use a weatherstrip tape to insulate the door’s bottom, a door sweep will do the trick. The door sweeps are cheap and they also help to prevent bugs and thermal leakage, along with blocking the sounds.
Check out MAGZO Under Door Draft Blocker Insulator Door Sweep. It takes a couple of minutes to install and is highly durable and multifunctional. Thanks to its 3 layer design, this door sweep helps to lower the noise level up to 5 times. It will also help you cut your winter electric bills by blocking the cold and hot air cross.
Soundproof Your Walls
If your walls are thin, this can be a huge source of the noise in your house. There are a few ways to soundproof your walls. Start with a mass loaded vinyl. Designed specifically for the noise control, a mass loaded vinyl is a flexible material typically installed on the floor or ceiling or hung on the walls. Our top pick is Soundsulate 1 lb Mass Loaded Vinyl.
It’s available in a variety of sizes and is odorless. The mass loaded vinyl is often used for soundproofing studios, conference rooms, basements, apartments, and houses. There are so many spaces you can proof sound with 1lb. mass loaded vinyl.
Getting extra drywall is another thing you can do to prevent your walls from being the source of the noise. All the noise coming through the walls usually turns out in the form of certain vibrations.
Creating drywall with the help of some dense materials is an effective way to prevent those vibrations. The drawback is, building an extra drywall requires time, skills, and effort. You can do it yourself by finding the step-by-step instructions on YouTube.
If you’re not into DIYing, then consider acoustic panels, which are designed to stop both outdoor and indoor sounds from passing through the walls.
The main complaint about acoustic panels is that they don’t look stylish or beautiful, but nowadays there are tons of designs so that shouldn’t be a problem for you. We recommend these 3 acoustic panels:
1. Foamily Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedges
The classic red and black combo will turn your room into a work of art while reducing the noise level in your house. Foamily Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedges are durable, easy to install, and can make your home much quieter.
Not to mention that they come in a pack of 12 foam panels, so you can soundproof your small room quickly. These acoustic panels aren’t for the bigger rooms, though. There are several color combos to choose from.
2. Mybecca 12 Pack Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedges
Available in 13 designs, Mybecca Acoustic Studio Foam Wedges fight flutter echoes and standing waves, as well as prevent unwanted reflections. They’re often used in home offices, gaming rooms, home entertainment theaters, home studios, offices, control rooms, vocal booths, recording studios, sound therapy, and others.
They can also be used for blocking the noise in apartments and houses. Since the panels are versatile, you can cut these acoustic panels to size and shape.
3. Acoustic Foam Egg Crate Panel Studio Foam Wall Panel
Available in three colors, Acoustic Foam Egg Crate Panel Studio Foam Wall Panels are extremely thick and thus help to absorb unwanted noise.
Apart from soundproofing, these acoustic panels are used for lining a gun case. Some people use these panels to protect any breakable valuables when traveling or moving. They are versatile and highly recommended.
Take Care Of Your Ceiling
If you’re living in an apartment and your neighbors above are your biggest source of all the noise, soundproof your ceiling. Soundproofing the ceiling takes some time and effort, though the material is readily available.
You can use acoustic panels listed above. With soundproofing acoustic panels, you can quickly reduce dozens of types of sounds, including echoes. But, keep in mind that any vibrating sounds like those created by from air conditioners and dishwashers might still pass through.
Soundproof Your Garage (If You Have One)
In case your house has a room above or next to the garage, the outside noise can get through the garage into that room. Pay attention to your garage door first.
Generally, a garage door is faced with a sheet of steel, plywood, aluminum, or vinyl on the outside and designed with an open interior framework.
If you are able to, considering investing in a premium garage door, which is already filled with durable and soundproof foam insulation. It has an extra facing on the inside and is great at preventing the street sounds.
Keep A White Noise Machine Close To You At All Times
If you’re looking to reduce the noise level inside your house, pick up a white noise machine. This machine is usually used in offices to boost focus and productivity. It can also be installed in your bedroom to promote sound sleep.
By creating the noise that your brain is able to ignore, a white noise machine helps to alter the concentration from the other noises bothering you or preventing you from sleeping well.
We recommend Marpac Dohm Classic White Noise Sound Machine because it has utilizes soothing and relaxing sounds of rushing air, along with a number of customizable sounds as well. The dual speed fan and acoustic housing create a volume control and an adjustable tone for a relaxing soundproof environment.
Simply flip the machine’s switch to low or high, rotating the collar and cap to play the most relaxing sound for you, and block street noises.
Silence The Noisy Pipes Inside Your Home
If the pipes of your house make loud banging noises, chatter, or rattle when you flush the toilet or turn faucets off, it can create bothering sounds.
There are a lot of ways to quiet those banging and thudding pipes. First of all, figure out the cause of your problem. When water comes to the end of the pipes, it causes water slamming to a halt. Opt for a water hammer arrestor to reduce the noise level.
Take Care Of Your Squeaky Floor
If your floor causes unwanted sound, it’s time to fix those constant squeaks. This source of the noise is often ignored, but when the home is empty or quiet, floor squeaks can become a real disaster.
If you have stairs that creates unwanted sounds, make sure you fix those squeaky stairs as well. You can do it yourself. If your floor or stairs are too old to fix squeaks, consider replacing them.
What Are The Key Take-Aways?
The key takeaways here are that there are a ton of noises that can enter your home and disrupt you. Because of this, the best approach is to use a multitude of options to block out sounds however possible.
Sound foam, which noise machines, sealants, etc. All of these can be used in conjunction to make your home a more quiet place.
What Else Can I Do To Block Out Noises?
Sometimes the outside world is so loud and noisy that it may be impossible for you to block out all of the sounds in a loud environment.
In this case, we recommend picking up sound blocking ear covers or headphones, which you can use to block out sounds from directly entering your ears. This may be your best option, and it can be used in conjunction with everything else on this list.
Conclusion
If you get creative, you can come up with hundreds of effective ways to build a noise cancelling system for your home. Even if you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of alternatives mentioned above.
Finally, check out the noise level of your kitchen appliances, as they can create loud sounds not only for you and your family but your neighbors, too.
Take a few minutes to soundproof your house to improve your sleep and your overall happiness inside your home. The soothing silence inside your house will make you enjoy your home life much more, so don’t just ignore or mask unwanted sounds. Get rid of them today for quieter tomorrow.