Residing in an apartment building offers convenience in many respects, but it comes with its challenges. One major drawback is dealing with excessively loud neighbors, which can mean enduring constant hammering and banging. Additionally, families with kids can’t always keep their noise levels down. So, what’s the solution?
Enhancing Sound Insulation Inside and Outside the Building
Rather than constantly harming our reputation within the residential community by engaging in endless disputes, let’s explore our options for improving sound insulation. Some may argue that their home’s insulation is already top-notch, but they might be referring to thermal insulation. Don’t be surprised if the sound of a neighbor’s lawn mower disrupts your peaceful Sunday lunch. Thermal insulation, no matter how effective, is not the same as sound insulation and vice versa.
If you plan to renovate your home, you can start soundproofing from the ground up. This could involve replacing doors and windows and using noise-reducing insulation materials to renovate the walls. This approach can be quite costly and labor-intensive, as it often requires installing a pre-soundproofing wall, which can take up considerable space. However, there are many modern sound insulation materials available today that not only block noise effectively but also add a decorative touch to the room.
When Existing Sound Insulation Isn’t Enough
There are numerous options for improving home sound insulation. We can experiment with various DIY methods and high-quality solutions until we achieve the desired results. You’ve likely heard about using egg cartons for home insulation. While this method is inexpensive, it is also less effective and can significantly detract from the interior’s appearance.
Thoughtful, Quality Solutions
Rock wool is an excellent material for soundproofing walls due to its highly advantageous properties. It’s no wonder this material is favored for noise insulation in professional studios. Rock wool is also water-repellent, making it ideal for indoor use and providing great soundproofing.
To keep out street noise, insulating the exterior walls of the building is a good option if feasible. However, to protect against noise from neighboring apartments within the building, focus on insulating the floor or ceiling. For soundproofing a specific room, insulating the partitions can be effective.
Ceiling insulation is more complex and might require a professional, especially if the noise is coming from above. In such cases, a sound insulation system at least 13-15 cm thick is needed.
Noise Reduction with Soundproof Mats
Noise from outside can be bothersome, but indoor echo can also be a significant issue. In such cases, the focus should be on sound absorption rather than sound insulation. Various surfaces in an apartment, like floors, parquet, and linoleum, can reflect sound and create echoes, reducing the overall comfort of the home. This issue is not exclusive to homes; larger retail chains often use noise-reducing materials to create a quieter, more pleasant shopping environment, as customers tend to prefer calmer spaces over noisy, bazaar-like ones.
One significant advantage of a soundproof mat is its versatility—it can be placed on any floor or even hung on a wall. Its design effectively isolates sounds from the environment. While all carpets can absorb some sound, an acoustic carpet is specially made with thicker material and multiple layers to enhance sound insulation. These sound-insulating elements are not only functional but also decorative, available in a wide range of colors and patterns.
The efficiency of an acoustic carpet can be further improved with the use of sound absorbers placed underneath. A non-slip felt pad, for example, can be an excellent solution to enhance the carpet’s soundproofing capabilities.
When a Rug Isn’t Enough
If a rug alone isn’t sufficient, don’t worry—there are other ways to further enhance the sound-absorbing capability of your space. Acoustic curtains and door curtains, made of thicker materials, not only help with sound absorption but also serve as decorative elements.
A well-stocked bookshelf can also help block and absorb sounds effectively.
Surprisingly, a photo wall can be used to reduce unwanted noise as well. This approach is both aesthetic and functional, covering bare walls and contributing to a quieter, more homely environment.
Additionally, placing insulation under interior doors can prevent noise from entering the room. This can be achieved using either homemade or factory-made door plugs.
Different situations require different solutions, but by utilizing the sound insulation and absorption methods mentioned, you can achieve significant results and create a quieter home environment.
