The Art of Sound Reduction

Whether you live in a busy household, have an apartment in a noisy downtown neighbourhood or next to someone who practices bagpipes on their deck, sound reduction means getting the peace and quiet you need to relax in your living space. Here are four tips for reducing sound in your environment.

1. Rugs

Rugs are a simple source of sound reduction. If you have floors made of wood, tiles, linoleum or laminate, rugs or carpeting can really help absorb sound. This is especially important if you live in an apartment and don’t want to be the noisy neighbours above someone else. That isn’t to say you should completely cover your floors. Seek out stylish rugs that match both floor and décor of the room.

2. Drapes

Outdoor noises can be a disruptive source of sound pollution in the home. These include sirens, traffic, dogs barking, kids playing and lawn mowers. Hanging heavy drapes on your windows can help reduce outdoor noise. Choose drapes that match your window colour as well as your interior décor.

3. Turn it Off

There is some sound pollution we can easily turn off.

Sometimes we create our own sound pollution. This can happen when too many appliances or electronics are used or stored in open areas such as kitchens, basements and living rooms. You may not think that having a computer, a TV and a landline phone in the kitchen will bother you, but wait until they’re all humming and whirring—along with your dishwasher, ceiling fan and oven fan!

4. ProCore® Doors

One of the most effective ways to cut down on noise in a home is to install a ProCore® solid core door. Unlike the usual hollow-core moulded doors found in homes, ProCore doors are reinforced specifically for superior durability and sound reduction. This makes them ideal for laundry rooms, jam spaces, home offices and any other room where sound control is important in your home. JELD-WEN carries ProCore doors in many popular moulded panel door styles, so you can get sound reduction without sacrificing style.

To browse JELD-WEN’s extensive interior door collection, visit jeld-wen.ca.