1.
Soundproofing a House
Study of Techniques used for Soundproofing a House.

2.
Sound propagation and noise
• Sound is made up of low frequency waves, which are
similar to radio waves. When something makes a sound,
it emits these waves which will travel in all directions
from the source.
• These waves will keep travelling until they meet some
form of resistance, such as a wall or sofa. But they can
also bounce off these items, and that can cause an effect
known as reverberation, which actually strengthens the
sound.
• Unwanted sound is called noise.

3.
Basic Techniques of Soundproofing
There are two basic ways of stopping sound either to
reduce it or absorb it, so we have two basic Techniques of
sound proofing
• Noise Reduction: Noise reduction works by blocking the
passage of sound waves through either the use of
distance or the placing of intervening objects in the
sound path.
• Noise Absorpation: Noise absorption operates by
transforming the sound wave itself. While this might
sound like a magic trick, it simply means that the wave
changes when it comes into contact with certain
materials.

4.
Why to Soundproof a House
• Unless we live in a remote part of the countryside in a
house with very thick walls, then noise pollution is a part
of our every day life.
• Noisy neighbours, loud televisions and radios, and high
level of traffic volume are just some of the typical noise
pollutants which regularly invade our homes when we
are trying to relax after a stressful day.
• It's a real invasion of privacy but there's not a lot that we
can do about it other than to find some techniques to
make your home more quiet and comfortable.

5.
How to Soundproof a House
1- How to hush outside noise
Outside noise can be the most annoying because it “belongs to
someone else.” It can be reduced by taking following simple
measures.
• Seal up holes and cracks
• Tighten up existing door and window openings.
• Install high-quality storm windows.
• Add insulation to the attic and walls.
• Use central air conditioning instead of window air conditioners.
• Add mass to walls in the form of drywall. The basic rule of
thumb is: the thicker the drywall, better the soundproofing.
• Trees, hedges and fences provide psychological relief by
blocking noise sources from view.

6.
How to Soundproof a House
2- How to hush general interior noise
Interior noise is produced within the house due to daily routine
ongoing activities and can be reduced by taking following simple
measures.
• To quiet footsteps and impact noises from rooms above, install
carpet with a thick pad in the upper room and a suspended
ceiling with heavy rigid board ceiling tiles in the lower room.
• Limit noise traveling between adjacent rooms by caulking
around all outlets and switch boxes, especially those that are
back to back.
• Replace hollow-core doors with solid-core doors and install a
bottom sweep just as you would with an exterior door.
• Add mass in the form of an extra layer of drywall. It’s simply the
cheapest, easiest to install, most effective sound-blocker
around.

7.
How to Soundproof a House
3- How to hush appliances and mechanical systems
Home appliances and mechanical systems are also a source
of noise within the house and can be reduced by taking
following simple measures.
• Install water hammer arresters to absorb the shocks related to
the quick shut off & running of the water supply.
• Use pipe isolators and pipe hangers available to cut down on
vibration created by running water.
• Space refrigerators, dryers and washing machines away from
walls so the walls don’t pick up and amplify the sound.
• Isolate washing machines and dryers from the floor by placing a
resilient material such as rubber or cork pads under each foot.
Keep the machines balanced by adjusting the leg levelers.

8.
Thanks