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With a boost in townhouse and apartment living, many homeowners share at least one wall with their neighbours. The good news, however, is that there are ways to soundproof your home to reduce the amount of noise that you have to put up with.
Blocking noise via walls
• Where one townhouse or apartment is joined to another, the main point of noise disturbance travels via the walls. If you own your dwelling, one of the easiest ways to reduce sound is to add just a single layer of drywall to your existing walls. Add two layers and your walls will block out even more sound, so much so that your neighbours could invite a rock band round for a party and you'd barely even notice!
• A rented townhouse or apartment is not quite as easy, but there are still ways to reduce noise levels. In a tiled space, simply adding a few thick rugs will help to absorb sound, as will thicker curtains and tapestries hung from the walls. In fact, the more padding you can add to a room, the more the sound is deadened.
Blocking noise via ceiling
Of course, your walls are not the only paths where noise can travel through. If you have an apartment or townhouse above you, it can be just as bad - if not worse than noise coming from next door, especially if the dwelling has tiled floors. High heels on a tiled floor can sound like a marching band doing daily exercises.
• A floating ceiling is one option, with an added layer of insulation.
Why it works?
The floating ceiling is situated below the original ceiling so the space in between helps isolate noises from footsteps or similar sounds.
• Acoustical tile is another option.
Why it works?
This type of tile helps absorb and dissipate the remainder of the noise before it gets into your home.
• Similar, but far more affordable, is polystyrene ceiling tiles.
Why it works?
These are simply glued onto the existing ceiling and help to dampen noise and come in a range of designs.
Rented home?
For rented homes you could simply drape a piece of fabric across the ceiling in a decorative manner. The fabric will help to absorb and dissipate a bit of the noise from above.
General nuisance noise
• For an affordable solution to general neighbour noise, try hanging heavy curtains that run from the floor to the ceiling. Heavy fabric can do quite a bit to dissipate sound.
• Add a few large, leafy plants near your windows as well.
*Remember, every bit of sound control you include aids with noise reduction.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Janice Anderssen is Women24's DIY and Decor expert. Ask her a question here, or visit her website.
Know of any other methods to reduce noise? Share them with us in the box below.
Blocking noise via walls
• Where one townhouse or apartment is joined to another, the main point of noise disturbance travels via the walls. If you own your dwelling, one of the easiest ways to reduce sound is to add just a single layer of drywall to your existing walls. Add two layers and your walls will block out even more sound, so much so that your neighbours could invite a rock band round for a party and you'd barely even notice!
• A rented townhouse or apartment is not quite as easy, but there are still ways to reduce noise levels. In a tiled space, simply adding a few thick rugs will help to absorb sound, as will thicker curtains and tapestries hung from the walls. In fact, the more padding you can add to a room, the more the sound is deadened.
Blocking noise via ceiling
Of course, your walls are not the only paths where noise can travel through. If you have an apartment or townhouse above you, it can be just as bad - if not worse than noise coming from next door, especially if the dwelling has tiled floors. High heels on a tiled floor can sound like a marching band doing daily exercises.
• A floating ceiling is one option, with an added layer of insulation.
Why it works?
The floating ceiling is situated below the original ceiling so the space in between helps isolate noises from footsteps or similar sounds.
• Acoustical tile is another option.
Why it works?
This type of tile helps absorb and dissipate the remainder of the noise before it gets into your home.
• Similar, but far more affordable, is polystyrene ceiling tiles.
Why it works?
These are simply glued onto the existing ceiling and help to dampen noise and come in a range of designs.
Rented home?
For rented homes you could simply drape a piece of fabric across the ceiling in a decorative manner. The fabric will help to absorb and dissipate a bit of the noise from above.
General nuisance noise
• For an affordable solution to general neighbour noise, try hanging heavy curtains that run from the floor to the ceiling. Heavy fabric can do quite a bit to dissipate sound.
• Add a few large, leafy plants near your windows as well.
*Remember, every bit of sound control you include aids with noise reduction.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Janice Anderssen is Women24's DIY and Decor expert. Ask her a question here, or visit her website.
Know of any other methods to reduce noise? Share them with us in the box below.
