Soundproofing
I’d like to soundproof a bedroom on the top floor of my townhouse. For some reason, street noise carries up there much more than to the 1st + 2nd floor. Looking for advice on what to do and reccomedations about who to work with. The existing window in the bedroom is woodframe. I’m landmarked so…
I’d like to soundproof a bedroom on the top floor of my townhouse. For some reason, street noise carries up there much more than to the 1st + 2nd floor. Looking for advice on what to do and reccomedations about who to work with. The existing window in the bedroom is woodframe. I’m landmarked so am wondering what kind of window to get. Also, any ideas about adding soundproofing to a wall. The current wall is brick with sheetrock interior. Advice would be appreciated.
http://www.citiquiet.com/
http://www.citiquiet.com/?gclid=CLXAr5mp-JkCFeZL5Qod3VR9Fg
Sound proof windows can be installed on the interior, over the top of your existing window. This should get over the landmarked issue. Apparently they work v. well. Have a look:
http://nymag.com/urban/guides/bestofny/services/03/soundproofwindows.htm
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/noise/city-soundproofing-024459
Also, I am taking a home maintenance class, and my teacher tells me that mineral wool is a good thing to put inbetween your studs. It comes in sheets that fit inbetween the usual 16″ gap in your sutds. For this you will need to take down your drywall. The double stud wall that brownstoner111 mentions is better than this, but most people don’t have the space for a wall that is twice as thick.
We put new Marvin double pane wooden windows on our landmarked house. We were amazed at how much quieter our front top floor bedroom became.
Having built a recording studio before I can tell you that to soundproof walls you want to double up sheetrock and/or create separation btwn the outer wall and inner wall if possible. You can check Auralex for soundproofing products but they are quite expensive. They also recommend, and I have done this, to put a layer of rubber between layers of sheet rock. The main thing to remember is space between mass or as much mass as possible to absorb sound. You can also add treatment to the walls to absorb sound. They have items at Auralex but many look like more for a corporate environment.
Most likely custom. Depends on the age and type of your building. There’s also this type of thing you can have installed inside:
http://www.soundproofwindowtreatments.com/
Check out the little videos for sound reducing capabilities.
Op here Bessie,
I’m landmarked. Do you know if you can buy triple pane in a wood frame in stock or would that be a custom product?
Thanks
Replacing the window is your best bet. You’ll need to go with triple pane. Double pane just really doesn’t block enough sound. Edges must be well sealed inside and out to obtain maximum sound block and energy efficiency.
Or you could try an instant fix. Over the years I’ve had great luck with a fan. The low white noise has allowed me to sleep through the piercing crackly voice of the deaf woman next door, furious late night phone callers at the pay phone across the street, and random drunken conversations as people left the neighborhood bar. If that doesn’t work, try ear plugs.