At some point, every one of us has felt the need to block the noise that seeps through the windows in our homes. The reasons for wishing such soundproofing can be as varied as wanting to read a book or watch a movie in silence or holding a conversation with a loved one. In fact, there are times when all we desire is a quiet that only a soundproofed room can afford; no more putting up with the noisiness of neighbours, the weather, the incessant traffic or even stray dogs.
But unlike what many assume, soundproofing your home for cheap is indeed possible. Of course, there are expensive ways to do it too but why splurge when you can save. That is exactly what you can achieve by installing soundproof curtains in your home.
Do Soundproof Curtains Work?
The answer is a resounding yes. Not only are curtains cheaper than other soundproofing materials but can also be installed in a jiffy. The key to stopping or reducing the magnitude of sound waves lies in trapping them. Hard materials and surfaces like wood and tiles enable sound to travel farther since they reflect the soundwaves. On the contrary, softer materials like curtains and carpets tend to absorb these soundwaves and stop the sound from travelling further.
In each of the aforementioned scenarios, outside noise usually leaks into your house through windows and doors, both of which can be draped in curtains that absorb noise. That said, the noise-absorbing capacity is not uniform across different curtains and fabrics. There are some fabrics and curtain designs that are better at blocking out sound. Read on if you want to know more about making your home soundproof using curtains.
Which are the Best Curtains for Soundproofing?
If blocking out all external sound is what you want, dark and heavy bespoke curtains are the best. These curtains also offer a couple of other benefits, they keep out light and cold draughts from entering your home.
While curtains are arguably the most inexpensive and eye-pleasing way to soundproof your house, not all of them are the same when it comes blocking sound. The soundproofing ability of curtains varies considerably with their weight, height, width, material and style.
For instance, thicker curtains are generally excellent noise absorbers, which is why you should consider the weight when choosing between different noise-absorbing curtains. The heavier a curtain, the better it is at blocking noise.
As far as soundproof curtain material is concerned, you can’t go wrong with either velvet or suede. Both materials are reasonably thick, heavy and offer great soundproofing. Softer materials with microfibres also offer good soundproofing. Furthermore, you can consider layered curtains since they are naturally thicker owing to the extra lining. Despite their high cost, thicker curtains remain the most cost-effective way of making your home soundproof. You can further bring the cost down by sewing the materials for the curtain yourself. But as is the case with handmade curtains, this needs a fair amount of skill.
What other factors influence a curtain’s soundproofing ability?
The width and the style of a curtain have a direct bearing on its soundproofing ability. For instance, curtain design ideas that feature extra width and a pleated design offer better soundproofing ability. That is because the greater width of the curtain allows it to gather wider and as a result, creates tighter creases. While the creases reflect soundwaves, the pleats increase the thickness of the curtain. Because of this, it gets harder for the sound to pass through the curtain. A curtain is said to be wide when it is approximately twice your window’s size. However, you should go with pleated curtains that are at least thrice the size of your window for the best soundwave blocking ability.
Your curtain’s length influences its soundproofing ability as well. Ideally, you should install the curtain rail a bit further higher than your window. This allows the curtain to hang in a way that it just about brushes the floor. To get this extra length, add 10-12 inches when you are measuring your curtain’s height. And while the exact length depends on your preferences, made-to-measure curtains with 10-12 inches generally offer a decent fit. A full-length curtain enables you to conceal your window fully and, in the process, block all outdoor noise.
To sum it up
There really isn’t a more cost-effective and convenient soundproofing option for your home than soundproof curtains. In fact, the use of softer materials like carpets and curtains throughout your home also keeps the noise in your home from getting outside. In other words, it is a two-way street. Outside noise doesn’t get in and the noise within your home doesn’t get out. This is great if you want to organise a small party at home or watch a movie on your home theatre system.
The key is to go for curtains that are wide, long, thick, heavy and offer a pleated design. Make sure you choose a curtain that has all those attributes. Only then would you have the perfect soundproofing solution. And as we’ve seen above, curtains for soundproofing also come with other benefits like keeping your house warmer and blocking out sunlight when needed.
If you’d like to know more about different soundproofing curtain options, get in touch with us today. Zenn Interiors is the go-to name when it comes to buying curtains in London. We offer a variety of handmade curtains, bespoke curtains, luxury curtains, handmade blinds and upholsteries in London. Call us today and get a ‘Free’ consultation from our in-house curtain expert.