How to Soundproof Doors and Windows

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By Shirley Philbrick
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lined drapes

Doors and windows, even when closed, allow sound to permeate an area that you may need to have as a "quiet zone". Soundproofing is done frequently by musicians and someone like myself who is a licensed massage therapist and requires quiet, or muted, sound. There are ways to create do it yourself soundproofing. Here's how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Go simple. Hang drapes that are double backed with a special lining to inhibit sound, or cold, from entering a room. These can be found in specialty housewares shops, JCPenney or Sears, or many other stores. These types of fabrics should be synthetic types of materials (NOT cotton), as synthetics absorb sounds better.
Step 2

As an alternative, try using quilted roman style shades are also an option, but again, not using cotton is helpful. The batting in quilted shades is synthetic so this will help to some degree.
Step 3

For the sewing enthusiast; make your own door or window coverings from fabrics such as velvet or silk. Think velvet floor to ceiling draping in theaters that is used to reduce noise and echos.
Step 4

Place door draft guards at the floor level to reduce noise and drafts coming through. These draft guards can also be used for windows and are found in any stores that sell housewares.
Step 5

Install sound deadening board. Sound deadening board is a material that is made of a dense fiber that is compressed to make a 4x8 sheet. These sheets can be attached to a wall, or door, to add additional sound deadening ability. Most often sound deadening board is used for wall coverage and would not be appropriate for a window ! However, with some creativity, it could be used in application to a door by applying a cotton batting (that's used in quilting projects - found in Walmart or fabric stores), and an attractive, non-cotton fabric covering. (Stapled on).

Comments

pianistic said

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on 11/29/2008 Good ideas.

Susang6 said

on 11/11/2008 The insulated back drapes certianly do keep sun, heat, and cold out. Velvet is beautiful and the fall of the drape lush...will add drama to any room. like the formal theaters! Great tips, with the cold snowy winter approaching I better get busy and start covering my windows and doors, plus working nights, don't want that sun!

derbyka said

on 11/11/2008 I live in an apartment and am always looking for ways to reduce sound. I think I'm going to try the drapes tactic. I already installed a draft guard and it definitely helps.