Buy Soundproofing Curtains
If you live on a busy city street, next to a loud construction site or in an apartment building with thin walls, you might have a lot of outside noise invading your residential space. There are many ways to keep outside noise out, and one way is to buy soundproofing curtains. Soundproof curtains are thicker than regular curtains, and they often have heavy panels that absorb sound before it reaches the interior of a room or home. Buy soundproof curtains that match your decor and effectively minimize the sound coming into your house from outside.
Contents
Steps
- Determine where the noise is coming from. Find the wall or window that is allowing the most noise into your space. This is where you will want to hang soundproof curtains.
- Measure the area you will hang your curtains. This will help you determine what size of curtains you need to buy.
- Use a tape measure to get the height and width of the space you will cover. Most soundproof curtains hang over windows, but you can hang them against a wall or a door you do not use as well.
- Pay attention to the thickness of the curtains. In order to provide a barrier against noise, soundproof curtains should be at least 2 to 3 inches (5.08 to 7.62 cm) thick.
- Feel or hold the curtains in your hands. Soundproof curtains should be heavy and weigh at least 15 to 20 lbs. (6.8 to 9.07 kg).
- Look for a layer of vinyl backing. Soundproof curtains look like any decorative curtain, but the back of the curtains should contain mass loaded vinyl material.
- Make sure the mass loaded vinyl is constructed from high quality vinyl and includes silica and sand. This is what creates the soundproof barrier in the curtains. Check the packaging, or ask a sales associate.
- Shop online or in specialty acoustic stores. You will not find soundproof curtains in home decorating stores or retailers such as Home Depot.
- Check your local phone director or online listings for retailers in your area that specialize in soundproofing materials or acoustic curtains.
- Conduct an Internet search for soundproofing curtains to find online retailers that sell custom soundproof curtains.
- Check sites such as eBay and Craigslist for soundproof curtains for sale. They will be cheaper if you buy them used from people who already had them made.
- Remember to buy rods and hardware that will support the curtains. Because they are so heavy, you cannot hang soundproof curtains from regular curtain rods.
- Shop in hardware stores for the rods and hardware necessary to hang soundproof curtains.
- Ask about any warranties or return policies. If you order the soundproof curtains and have them custom-made, you may not be able to return them for a refund if you do not like them.
Tips
- Consider other methods of soundproofing that can be used with your curtains. Things that can supplement the soundproof curtains include fabric panels, vinyl drywall and double window panes.
- Keep your own noise from leaving your home with soundproof curtains as well. If you enjoy playing your music or television loudly, or you play your own instruments inside your home, set up your equipment near the curtains to avoid disturbing your neighbors or other passers-by.
Warnings
- Remember that completely soundproofing a room or home with curtains is unlikely. Soundproof curtains will cut down dramatically on the amount of noise that gets into your space.
