How to sound proof your home

If your locale has become a bit too noisy of late but you don't want to move, soundproofing you home could be your next best option and there are several workable solutions that will prevent excess noise from permeating your home.

Sound proofing solutions

There are several things that homeowners can do to restrict the amount of noise entering their homes and there are some excellent soundproofing products available to help restore peace and quiet on the home front. These products include:

• Soundproof plasterboard
• Carpeting
• Double glazing on windows
• Heavy grade curtains

Plasterboard now comes in three types of soundproofing. They are Barrierboard, Gyprock Soundbreak and Boral SoundSTOP. Talk to your builder or hardware store for information on these products or even contact the manufacturers to help you to decide which would be the best option for the type of noise reduction product you need.

Also consider the benefits of carpeting your home. Carpeting suppresses sound very well and so do soft furnishings. Plush lounges and sofas can help to dampen noise in the home and when combined with the benefits of carpeting it will help to reduce noise levels in the home.

Double glazing has long been a favourite for soundproofing as well as temperature control in the home. A new product called Magnetite is proving to be very successful in offering excellent noise reduction qualities. Unlike traditional double glass panels, Magnetite uses a thin acrylic glazing which is a lot safer and lighter than glass. It can be added to your existing windows and can reduce noise by up to 70%.

Sound proofing: Further information

What type of soundproofing you use to reduce the noise levels in your home will depend on the type of noise you are dealing with. There are websites available that give good practical information on soundproofing as well as advice on what you can use around your home to counter the effects of outside noise finding its way inside the house.