Revisiting Room Sound Insulation Ideas

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From time to time we receive material from our readers which needs to be included on our site and this issue includes a fine example of contributing thoughts and helpful information from our good friend Bailey Chauner from Seattle, Washington.

In previous posts we have addressed the importance of sound insulating your practice area in order to make life more pleasant for your family and neighbors. I think you will find Bailey’s ideas to be very helpful and for that reason we have included his contribution today.

The Science of Soundproofing: Simple Tips for the Trumpeter’s Home

Whether you’re a trumpet novice or a musical master, you need to practice. The noise of even a well-played instrument can impact your roommates, neighbors, or family. Even playing all the way across the house may not be far enough to muffle the sound, and things could be a lot worse if you’re in a small condo. There has to be a way to strike a balance between peace and quiet and the sound of music. Luckily, soundproofing a room — or even a few — can be a fairly simple DIY project to save not only your eardrums but also your sanity.

Not sure where to start? Not to worry! This how-to guide will give you three easy steps to soundproof your space.

  1. Simple Soundproofing Step One: Mind the Gaps

Take a look around the room and keep an eye out for any gaps in door and window frames. A lot of sound can escape through even a small gap.

  • Reduce door gaps: Adding a door sweep on both the inside and the outside of the door can help reduce sound travel.
  • Cover the windows: You can hang thick curtains over windows, or seal leaks with budget-friendly foam weather stripping or professional-grade acoustical sealant.
  • Line heating/cooling ducts: Don’t forget to line your heating and cooling ducts with soundproofing duct linerto further reduce noise.

  1. Simple Soundproofing Step Two: Reduce Reflection

Did you know that sound, like light, reflects? Sound can bounce off of any number of surfaces, which can propel the notes and beats of an instrument pretty far. If the room you’ve chosen as your practice area has any hard surfaces, like granite countertops, hardwood floors or even just plain old walls, sound will reverberate until it runs out of energy, which means it can hit multiple surfaces over and over again.

How can you soundproof against reflection?

  • Bring in some textiles!Cover the floor with carpeting or thick rugs, and even consider hanging some material from the walls.
  • Install soundproof materials: There are all kinds of soundproofing materials out there, some more effective — and more costly — than others. You can install soundproof curtain around the perimeter of the room, tack up vinyl or install acoustic insulation.
  • Avoid cheap alternatives: Considering a cheaper option like adding mattresses or egg crates to the walls? Skip them. Not only are they unsightly, but they are ineffective, as well.

  1. Simple Soundproofing Step Three: Modify Your Space

Let’s say you live in a 1,000-square foot loft downtown and want to be sure your evening jam sessions don’t disrupt the neighbors. Being a good neighbor might mean you have to make some adjustments on your end.

  • Avoid shared walls: Play your musical instruments in a room that doesn’t share any walls with your neighbors or position yourself closer to the outside walls.
  • Add a false ceiling: You can consider adding a false ceiling to give some relief to the upstairs neighbors and replace your hollow doors with solid, heavy core ones. If you hit a major chord and notice some shaking picture frames, vases or other objects, remove them or secure them.

Music is an incredible hobby for some, and a way of life for others. Not only will soundproofing your home help keep the peace in your family and with your neighbors, but it will also teach you some of the more scientific elements of sound and music that you may not experience just by playing an instrument. Whether to please your landlord or pacify your family, soundproofing can help you get more in touch with the instruments you love to play and the music you love to create.

Original article from Redfin

To read his full article on this topic, be sure to visit his site at https://www.redfin.com/blog/soundproof-your-home-for-playing-music

Thanks again Bailey and may the future be kind to both you and yours.

Bruce was a member of the faculty at the University of Northern Iowa, School of Music in Cedar Falls from 1969 until his retirement in 1999. He has performed with many well-known entertainers such as Bob Hope, Jim Nabors, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Anita Bryant, Carman Cavalara, Victor Borgie, the Four Freshman, Blackstone the Magician, Bobby Vinton and John Davidson.

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