How to Soundproof Your Apartment on a Budget
Being an apartment dweller is not all bad after all but hearing unwanted noise has been one of the most frequent complaints, notes Heritage Property Management company. Whether they are steps a floor above, people talking on the inside or the traffic outside, you can always hear annoying sounds that take away your peace. Luckily, you can affordably and realistically minimize the noise without breaking the budget and breaching the lease. Follow this guide to determine how you can soundproof your apartment satisfactorily without straining your financial pocket.
Understanding the Sources of Noise
It is useful to know the origin of noise before executing any soundproofing method. Usual suspects are thin walls, holes in the windows and doors and hard floors that help to spread the sound. Being able to point to the source will enable you to direct your solutions better and will not be wasting your money on strategies that do not deal with the actual problem.
Soundproofing was not of the main concern in any multi apartment, most especially in older apartments. This implies that tenants usually contend with obnoxious sounds more than they can wish. It is useful to understand what you are dealing with to enable you to settle on the correct course of action and sticking points in the living space.
Using Soft Furnishings to Reduce Echo
Soft furnishings are one of the most effective and the least expensive ways of absorbing sound. The sound can be absorbed and echo reduced by using rugs, curtains, cushions and upholstered furniture. A thick underpad under a large area rug will help to reduce the noise of footsteps, particularly, when you live above a person.
Soundproof windows assist in prevention of external noise by using heavy curtains or blackout drapes. Even a hanging fabric wall art or a tapestry, can reduce sound reflection. They are renter-friendly, not permanent, and increase the decorations and have a functional purpose.
Considering Apartment Choices Carefully
Soundproofing of apartments isn’t a bad idea it can even be useful however selection of quieter apartment may be a better choice. During the hunt for a new residence, inspect buildings made of concrete or bricks as they naturally insulate and restrict more sound as compared to the wood-frame homes. Looking around during rush hours may also provide you a suggestion of possible sound problems.
When you want a quieter lifestyle, spend some time researching the area you live in as well as buildings. For example, when looking at apartments for rent Calgary renters might prioritize top-floor units or buildings with good insulation. Checking the surroundings by being proactive when searching, will keep you out of the noise hustle in future.
Sealing Gaps and Cracks
Noise tends to creep in around door, window and wall gaps. Blocking that sound is a cheap option of sealing such gaps. Noise entering through the door frame can be halted using weather stripping around the doorways. Door sweeps and foam tape are cheap and not complicated to put in place, and they do not require any special equipment.
Windows are another major source of sound leaks. The edges might be insulated by putting removable caulking or clear acrylic sealant around the edges. To be extra, some tenants apply films of clear plastic especially on cold seasons to/and also to eliminate the sound and at the same time insulation.
Creating Barriers with Furniture
Furniture can be used such that they reduce sound and create barriers between you and noisy neighbors. Shelves with books, especially those against communal walls prove very helpful. This sound is absorbed and blocked using the mass of the books and the shelf itself.
To cover some walls that conduct the sound, one can use large couches/armchairs. A closet between two walls can be used too, at least two walls are available and can give an additional protection. The trick is to take advantage of the mass by putting heavier objects along the walls where noise is pronounced.
Using DIY and Budget Materials
In case you are of an artistic nature, there are a lot of at-home types which are cheap and rather efficient. Homemade foam panels can also be prepared with the use of egg crate foam or even mattress toppers. They are fit to be on poster boards and removable adhesive strips can be used to mount them.
The other alternative is by hanging moving blankets or thick quilts on the walls or doors. They hold sound and even when you relocate you can simply go and pick them down. They might not be the pro version, but they are the effective one, which can be considered as a perfect material option (short-term) by renters.
It is not necessary to make the soundproofing of your apartment expensive and complicated. It does not take a lot of creativity and effort to make your living space peaceful and enjoyable. Add some soft furnishings, seal the gaps and use any furniture sensibly and another step closer to a quieter home. And when the day to change the place comes up, it is good to know what to seek when choosing a new apartment.
