COMFORT
Sound. Indoors or outdoors, wherever you are, it is always present. Outside, environmental sounds such as rushing traffic, chirping birds, rustling trees, talking people, and other activities are constantly around you. At home, however, you often want to escape from all these noises that can make you feel overwhelmed.
Indoors, sounds can fortunately often be reduced by closing windows and doors or lowering the volume on the television.
If it’s not possible to "turn off" noise inside, it can negatively impact your living comfort, your (home) workspace (making you less productive and reducing your ability to concentrate), and even your health. And yet, your home should be a place where you can relax and unwind.
For your health, relaxation, and concentration, a soundproof or noise-reduced home is almost a necessity. Unfortunately, not all homes are well insulated. The weak points in blocking environmental noise are often doors, windows, and frames. In older homes, poorly insulated walls and floors can also contribute to the problem.
Fortunately, there are several ways to keep disturbing noises outside.
A well-insulated home reduces outside noise, minimizes sounds from neighbors, and prevents heat from escaping. If you have an older home, chances are it has poor insulation. Investing in quality wall, ceiling, and floor insulation can quickly have a positive impact on making your home more soundproof.
Simply closing a door does not always have the desired effect of "blocking out" disturbing noises. This is because doors are often hollow inside, allowing sound to pass through easily. A hollow door can be replaced with a high-quality soundproof door, which significantly reduces noise levels.
The "sound leak" can also be at the bottom of a door. Living without thresholds is very popular—not only because it looks aesthetically pleasing but also for practical reasons such as easier cleaning and reduced tripping hazards. The only downside of not having a threshold is that the door does not properly seal against the floor, allowing sound to pass through easily.
This can be resolved by installing the EllenMatic Soundproof drop seal at the bottom of the door. The flexible drop seal ensures a tight closure of the gap. An added benefit is that it not only blocks out noise but also unpleasant odors, drafts, smoke, and even fire.
The thickness of the glass (single glazing, double glazing, high-efficiency glass, or triple glazing) significantly affects how soundproof your home is. Additionally, the material of the window frame, its construction, and installation (seal connections and gap sealing) all play an important role. Replacing single glazing with better-insulated glass helps dampen outside noise while also improving thermal insulation, making your home warmer.
Gaps around window openings can be easily sealed with self-adhesive weatherstrip and rebate perimeter or perimeter seals. Be sure to consider the type of frame (rebate perimeter or perimeter) and the size of the gap that needs sealing. A good draft strip not only keeps out cold air but also helps block unwanted noise.
As we spend more time at home, especially due to remote work, it’s important to assess our living situation. Is your home sufficiently soundproof? Do you experience noise disturbances in certain areas?
Take action by addressing the points mentioned above and systematically identifying ‘sound leaks’ to determine where improvements can be made. By doing so, you can create a comfortable living environment that positively impacts your health and well-being.
