Archive for the ‘soundproofing’ Category

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Row Home Party Wall Soundproofing

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

We’re always reading and we came across another great account of a guy who suddenly found the need to soundproof the party wall between his townhouse and his neighbor’s. The house was 100 years old but he was surprised to find old horse-hair plaster between their homes when he began gutting his side of the wall.

So what should he do?

No one wants to damage the integrity of a 100 year old home. We’d recommend considering Green Glue noise proofing, adding some new drywall, installing a layer of the damping compound, and installing a second layer of drywall on top of the first. This method will take care of the sound problems the old construction was causing, is cost effective, and will certainly restore peace amongst the neighbors.

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Soundproofing Shared Student Housing

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

Living with others, especially those living the college life, can be incredibly tough. A student recently asked a question about how he could soundproof his room better so that he does not lose sleep when his less-than-quiet roommates come in late at night.

The real question is whether he is living in a dorm or in a rented apartment. We’ll assume he can’t apply Green Glue to the walls and we’ll opt for some cheaper, removable methods of soundproofing instead.

If the noise is coming from below, try throwing some bigger throw-rugs down on the floors. If it is coming through a side wall, try hanging sound absorbing panels, cork, or even foam and tapestries on the walls in your room.

They’re not stellar techniques, but when trying to get through college you’ll find that every little bit helps.

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Soundproofing with Blinds and Drapes

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

Before we proceed, we’d like to be very clear on one point. While soundproof blinds and drapes may help you to reduce the levels of noise in a room, neither is a suitable replacement for true soundproofing technique.

That said, there are some times when soundproof blinds and drapes can proof helpful. Let’s say you’re renting a house or apartment and can’t get permission to do any formal soundproofing, like you might do with Green Glue damping compound? Perhaps you’ve purchased a vintage or historic home and are having trouble getting permission to make any major renovations? In these instances, blinds and drapes may be just what you need to take the edge off of unwanted noise.

Don’t waste your money on accessories if you don’t have to. Simple changes to your window panes or acoustical seals may be all you need. If not, finding aesthetically pleasing drapes may be the right solution for you. Good luck!

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Soundproofing a Gun Range

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

The average gun lodge is a pretty simple structure. Most are built with hard wood floors and have relatively bare walls except – you know – for the mounted heads and prizes. While most people visiting the average lodge like to shoot there are often older members who want to do no more than relax inside while others would like to leave their families in the lodge while they hunt with friends.

In these cases, the simple bare walls don’t do much to shield against the high decibel sounds created by guns. The sounds are even worse if you’re a member of the type of lodge with an indoor range. If this is the case you should seriously considersound proofing your gun lodge.

Sure, the members of your lodge (most wearing ear protection) don’t mind the noise but perhaps your nearby neighbors will enjoy the improvements!

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Exploring the Elements of Soundproofing

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Before you start your soundproofing project you’re going to have to do a bit of research. During that process, don’t become overwhelmed by the myriad of different tools and techniques you have available to you. Over time, we’re going to discuss which elements are more effective than others.

In the meantime, you should know that there are four main categories of materials used in room soundproofing. They include:

Each works differently and would be used in different situations. Some can be combined and others should be used alone. If chosen carefully, you’ll get the absolute best soundproofing results possible. Our goal is to help you identify your problems and make the best choices possible,

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Are Acoustic Panels Worth the Price?

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Simply put, the answer to this question is yes. Here’s why.

When the average person designs a home theater, he thinks about the aesthetics of the room, but not always the acoustics. The truth is that every single aspect of a room impacts sound – from pain to furniture to window coverings. We forget these thins when we go out to buy huge chairs, entertainment centers, a big screen televisions. And, as such, we sometimes mess up the acoustics.

So how do we solve the problem? We hang a few decorative acoustic panels around the room. They can usually be chosen to fit your decor and, in the end, your soundproofing efforts won’t be for naught. You’ll end up with a gorgeous room, and a relaxing, quiet place to enjoy your movies.

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Sheraton Hotels: Quiet Retreats

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Just an FYI, but if you’re incredibly sensitive to noise you’re going to want to find a hotel that specializes in offering the quietest experience possible. We recently stumbled upon some information about a series of Sherton Hotels, also known as Starwood Hotels, that promise just that.

Most of these hotel rooms, located around the world, come with standard amenities, like sweet sleeper beds, high speed internet, and buffet breakfasts. What you’ll really enjoy, however, is the “high tech soundproofing” materials they used when designing the hotels. This is one place where a good night’s sleep is almost guaranteed.

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Dorm Room Woes: Water Pipes

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

We recently had a request from a reader asking how to soundproof a dorm room from the sound of water flowing through pipes. This poor college student must’ve gotten the room closest to the public bathrooms.

Your options are really limited considering you can’t make permanent changes to a dorm room wall. You could consider losely hanging some mass loaded vinyl or some heavy drapes, or you could consider getting yourself a sound machine or some other source of white noise.

Don’t do anything permanent. It’ll end up costing you time and money when you move out.

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Soundproofing in Apartments

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Not long ago we came across an intresting question. A landlord in an apartment complex wanted to know if he was allowed to go in and soundproof an occupied apartment.

The answer here is simple. Check your lease and you’ll see that you (or your lawyers) probably included information that grants you access as long as you give your tenants ample notice. We’d start with the apartments of the tenants who are complaining – as they’re most likely to welcome you graciously – before moving on to the tenant causing the problem (if you even have to). With a little Green Glue and some extra drywall, your sound problems will be fixed in no time flat!

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Soundproofing against Games

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

As silly as it sounds, gaming is a very serious cause of concern amongst parents. Not just because their kids spend too much time playing, but because they make so much noise while they’re doing it.

Are your kids a little loud when they get excited about their video games? If so, consider soundproofing the bedroom or game room so that you’re not as disturbed while they’re in action. With a little Green Glue and some paint, you’ll have the job done in no time flat!

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