Posts Tagged ‘soundproofing’

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.

SoundProof: Simplicity

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Alright, so this particular video isn’t exactly about the art of soundproofing, but it’s a great mix and you’ll see a group of guys (aka SoundProof) having a lot of fun – recording in a soundproof environment. Check it out!

Soundproofing on a Budget: Drywall

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Times are a bit tough right now, and we certainly understand how difficult it can be to figure out how to soundproof your home if you are on a budget. If you absolutely can’t afford to buy soundproofing materials, consider doing the job with some drywall. It won’t be as effective, but it’ll certainly help.

Here’s a brief video talking about how to install drywall for a soundproofing project.

Waiting for the Imperial

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

It’s a story we’ve heard time and time again:

The Imperial will be reopening soon.

Yea. Right.

Apparently the owner of the Imperial Hotel, Shadd Danesi, claims the hotspot will be reopening soon. He says he’s trying to make sure his soundproofing is perfect so as not to disturb neighbors.

The story is getting old.

He needs to get some Green Glue, get the job done, and reopen.

Perhaps before all of the club’s fans find another place to party.

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.

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.

Soundproofing Materials: Insulation

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

One of the greatest misconceptions amongst those not familiar with soundproofing is that insulation can effectively block sound.

Let’s clarify this point. Insulation can act as a soundproofing material, but only in the sense that it slightly dulls the noise you are trying to block. The pink insulation that goes inside your walls during construction will never stop sound as well as a real soundproof product.

Sure, you need insulation to keep your house warm, but if you have a sound problem you’re going to need something more.

Soundproofing Materials: Windows

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Yup, in the world of soundproofing, windows can be (and are) considered a major problem. The misconception occurs when those who are uneducated run out and try to solve their soundproofing problems by replacing all of their windows.

Yes, windows are a major source of noise. No, replacing them with “soundproof” glass doesn’t usually work. In the end, adding a second pane of glass over the one that already exists, creating a 1-inch gap in between, is more effective.

Sadly, you can’t use Green Glue on the windows themselves. Otherwise, we’d be creating our own windows!

Soundproofing Materials: Sheetrock

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Over the next few days we’re going to talk a bit about the different types of soundproofing materials commonly used by contractors. Each has it’s own advantages and disadvantages, and some are certainly more effective than others.

One such material is sheetrock – specifically lead lined sheetrock. It is believed that sheetrock lined with 1/8 inch of #2 lead is effective at soundproofing.

The problem? It costs anywhere from $125 – $250 per sheet if you opt for this method. There are certainly other, more affordable, methods to choose from.

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!