Can you sound proof your existing windows?
How does noise travel?
There are two main types of noise that are contributing to disturbing the peace in your home.
Airborne Noise
Most of the noise we normally hear at home are airborne which travels through the environment and enter your home through small gaps between your windows, doors or any opening. The source of such noise are generally traffic noise, neighbourhood noise, weather and animal noise.
Structural Vibration Noise
The second type of noise are vibrations noise which are normally from structural issues and construction. This type of noise is normally caused by the vibration from the wall, floor or ceiling of the apartment. The source of such noise are normally from construction piling, compressors, strong structural impact or natural structural expansion.
Understanding how sound waves travel through air and structural concrete is the key to stopping it, but that's easier said than done.
Where Sound Can Be Stopped
Noise that travel through air gaps of your doors and windows are not obvious. Most doors and windows are not designed to reduce noise and are not effective if you are experiencing noise problems in your home. For some people, shutting the windows and doors might be enough to stop noise if they are living in a relatively quiet area but it won’t be enough for homes that are near sources of persistent noise.
Homes that are located near sources of noise like highways, busy roads, shops on the first floor, schools and construction sites will find that noise leaks easily into their home. Noise also travels upwards which means sources like banging from construction work nearby can be heard acutely on higher floors even though the source of the noise can seem very far away.
The solution is to effectively minimize any air gaps that are within the windows and doors of your home.
Where Sound Cannot Be Stopped
While there are no air gaps on your walls and ceilings, sound can still be heard coming from the source behind them due to the vibration from the structure. This may happen in some of the older flats where steel bars expand and contract causing noise or vibration noise from poor insulation material used for walls and ceiling. Alternatively, newer BTOs may have this issue as well due to non-soundproof drywalls being used.
Soundwave from the noise striking the wall and pressure variations cause the wall to vibrate. This vibrational energy is transferred to the other side of the wall and radiated as soundwaves.
While there are ways to reduce noise coming from the walls and ceilings, there is no way to truly soundproof noise coming from such sources as the vibration may be coming from a unit not directly next to you. Instead of trying to soundproof structural noise, there are ways to prevent outside noise from leaking into your home.
Ways To Block Airborne Sound
Upgrade Existing Windows To Soundproof Windows/Doors
Sound proof windows and doors that are precision engineered to minimize any air gaps to stop noise from leaking through them. Not all sound proof windows and doors are the same and we recommend making an informed decision before deciding to install them in your home.
There are sound proof windows that are only able to stop low frequency noises while some are more effective in stopping mid to high frequency noises. Some have additional features like UV reduction and Low-E which helps with reducing the outdoor temperature from affecting indoors. Most importantly, the design of the frame must be precise to minimise any air gaps or it won’t be effective in blocking noise even with the best materials.
Soundproof Existing Windows/Doors or Wall
There are solutions to soundproof existing windows, doors or walls. While they are somewhat effective in reducing noise, they can’t truly sound proof your home.
Retrofitting a 2nd layer of windows
This is often the most effective way to soundproof your windows by retrofitting soundproof windows to your existing windows. This helps to further block out noise from your existing windows by reducing the gaps from the frame and the glass and panels. This is especially useful for condos where MCST does not allow the windows to be changed or minimal hacking is involved.
There are also other soundproof barriers available in the market such as acrylic retrofitting systems which do help reduce slight noise, however, the noise reduction won't be as significant as a soundproof window. Such technology at most can reduce 70% noise far below what soundproof windows can do.
Perfect for: blocking out external noise (isolating noise)
Door drop seal + perimeter seal
Door perimeter seals are installed around the door frame while the drop seal will be installed on the door to reduce noise from travelling through these gaps. It is a great noise isolation tool provided that your door panel is made of more soundproof material such as solid-core timber or acoustic isolated door panels
Perfect for: blocking out noise between rooms (isolating noise)
Acoustic Partition Dry Wall
Acoustic partition wall is great to reduce airborne noise travelling through the wall. This is done by adding rockwool absorbent material to ensure noise reduction between dry walls. This is normally used for offices as it is a quick method to create soundproofing spaces, and is easy to assemble and dismantle when needed. However, this option is only suitable to reduce airborne noise traveling through rooms, for structural noise (stomping or vibration noise), it will have limited effect.
Perfect for: ensuring noise won't be able to travel through dry walls.
Acoustic Ceiling Partition
Acoustic ceiling partition is similar to partition wall, however, it is often used in offices to block out airborne noise traveling through the false ceiling. It is also created by adding a rockwool interlayer on the ceiling to help reduce the noise transmission. However, although this options can be used normal residential units, it won't be very effective in reducing structural noise from your neighbour stomping or banging of doors.
Perfect for: office noise reduction between rooms with false ceiling.
“Sound Proof” Curtains
This dampens the waves that are coming through the windows. While it does help with some noise, it will not dramatically reduce the noise if the source is persistent. However, curtains are a good option to help reduce some internal noise feedback too and are able to help reduce some form of echo within the room.
Slightly useful for: reducing some sunglare, internal noise dampening
“Soundproof” ziptrak
This is another trendy item used to enclose balconies to reduce sun glare, rain from coming into the balcony as well as reduce some form of noise. However, like soundproof blinds/curtains, it does not reduce the noise much as it does not isolate the noise. Instead, it helps to dampen the noise slightly.
Slightly useful for: reducing some sunglare, and small amount of noise for your balcony
Acoustic Panels
These panels, commonly made out of hard foam, are placed on the walls to prevent noise from radiating through them. These are more commonly seen in recording studios where it is used to further reduce noise in an already quiet room. This is because microphones used in these studios are very sensitive and can pickup any noise. However, acoustic panels are mainly used to reduce noise feedback and it is only effective in reducing eco within the room and not isolating external noise.
Acoustic panels can also be in the form of ceiling clouds, ceiling board or display to be used in various functions and design.
Perfect for: internal noise dampening, reducing echo
Carpets
This is useful to prevent contributing noise to your neighbours downstairs or if you live in a multi-story home by dampening the sounds of movement like footsteps. Carpets are also a good option to reduce internal echo.
Slightly useful for: internal noise dampening, reducing echo
If you would like to contact Noise Plaster for a hassle free consultation, you can get in touch with us.
