Before you set about reducing the noise in your home, it would be helpful to first understand how sound travels. Sound is composed of waves, and sound waves travel by way of vibration. Think of the ripples created when you toss a stone into a pool of water. Sound waves travel like these ripples travel across water. When a sound wave hits a wall for instance, it vibrates through the wall until it reaches and becomes audible on the other side. In fact, mediums like walls, floors, and ceilings conduct sound waves rather well, causing them to amplify in the space on the opposite side of the wall, floor, or ceiling.

Make sense? Good. Now you can tackle reducing the noise in your home.

Now that we have gone over how sound travels, let's explore the resources available to treat your home and reduce noise.

Sound Engineered Drywall (SED) and Plywood (SEP)

Much like standard drywall and plywood, SED and SEP are designed to absorb sound by reducing its ability to travel. SED and SEP can be installed on top of existing walls, floors, and ceilings in your home. These materials can also be used during construction if demolishing and rebuilding is an option.

Mass Loaded Vinyl

This product is often used to soundproof floors, although it can also be used on floors and ceilings. Mass loaded vinyl is versatile, as it can be applied over existing floor surfaces or used during construction, just like SED and SEP. Once you install mass loaded vinyl onto your base floor, install a new top floor surface like hardwood or carpet and you are done.

Windows

If you are disturbed by outside noise, treat your windows. Older windows can be replaced with newer, double-paned windows, and this extra layer of glass will greatly reduce the noise coming in from outside. For added protection, you should seal any openings around the windows with weather stripping or soundproofing adhesive.

Doors

Heavy wood doors work wonders for keeping out unwanted noise. If you have a front door with a decorative window, it is not doing all it can to keep noise at bay. Applying weather stripping to the bottom of the door will not only cut down on noise, but it may help your reduce your electricity bill! If you don't have any weather stripping on hand, and outside noise is out of control, the age-old towel under the door is a very quick fix.

A busy home is no stranger to noise. Instead of accepting a noisy home, use soundproofing materials and a little creativity to create a sanctuary you love to return to every day.