Dear John: My brother lives in a condominium complex and his unit is virtually soundproof. I really envy his builder for the excellent job done in noise control! One can hardly hear any type of noise nor sounds from the neighboring units. On the contrary, my current home is not at all soundproof. Can I do anything to control noise and lower the sound transmission in my home? Is it possible at all to make my house more soundproof?
Dear Neil: Pardon me, what did you say? Did I hear you speak? Oh I am just joking!
An often mistaken and neglected aspect of residential construction is soundproofing. It is still thrilling to learn that your brother's home is an exception! I am still glad you asked the question. As a "Noise Control" expert, I can perhaps start by informing you about sound.
What is Sound Within the Purview of Noise Control?
Audible sound is the result of an object vibrating. The vibrations cause sound that can travel in an air medium. These sound waves then either bounce off other objects and/or cause them to begin vibrating. A chain reaction of sound waves is created through the transmitting medium and our ears translate the vibrations into that physical sense we call 'sound'. Depending on the vibration intensity, reflection of these vibrations, density of the transmission medium (air, water, liquids, solids, etc.), the ear drum trills and the brain interprets this as audible sound. Sound can be both pleasurable as well as undesired - in the latter case it becomes noise! Even within the purview of normal conversation or listening to music, it is experienced that different people exhibit different definitions of sound or noise at different times!
Everything in the universe produces energy in one form or the other. Sound also produces energy that is directly proportional to the intensity of this sound. Energy in turn is responsible for the consequent vibrations that can be transmitted through less dense materials, thereby causing one to experience disturbances due to hearing a variety of sound or noise inside the home. Corollary is that if less dense materials cause appreciable transmission of sound, denser objects or mediums can absorb them and make the environment more soundproof.
What Can You Do For Noise Control in Your Home?
There is absolutely no problem if you are in the process of getting your home built. Here the architect or the building contractor is in a position to make modifications and changes. The trouble begins if you have purchased a second-hand house, or are already living in a home for many years. Major changes in these cases can be very expensive and unaffordable many a times.
According to John, this is the exact case in this example of Neil enquiring or really complaining about noise in his present home! The only way to control unwanted noise in a built house is therefore to curtail the airborne sound and to absorb it through available noise control means:
-Use heavy drapes or curtains on windows and doors.
-Caulk or plug wide openings in wall fittings, plumbing interface with walls and floors etc.
-Provide adequate rubber cushioning for all articles that vibrate like washing machines, music systems, fans, air conditioning equipment, domestic appliances, refrigerators, etc.
-Semi rigid weather strips are commercially available that can fill the gaps between the frames of doors and windows. Since no air leakages occur, the effect of noise is also drastically reduced.
-Using an underlay to a thick 'wall to wall' carpet in your home reduces the thumping noise of walking - especially if you are living in apartments or condominiums.
Remember, "stop or absorb energy emitted by the vibrations and you will institute a healthy noise control system".
Hemant Mehta is a professional copywriter who takes up freelance assignments on the Internet.
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