how replacement windows can benefit your home

After a long day at work, you probably don't want to hear the bustling sound of the city or the busy traffic on the street and would rather enjoy the peace and quiet. If your house is not properly insulated and your walls are "paper-thin", so to speak, you'll never get the quiet you deserve. Here are three insulating tips that not only prevent heat loss, but also will soundproof your home or a particular room.

Weatherstrip the Doors and Windows

Most of the noise comes from the doors and the windows. The sound doesn't go through the windows and doors per se, but rather around them through the cracks in the seal. Weatherstripping the windows and doors will fill in these gaps and prevent the sound and noise from getting through into the room. If you're looking to create a serene haven with one of your rooms, you'll want to weatherstrip interior doors leading into that particular room as well.

There are many different weatherstripping materials you can choose from; however, for the purposes of soundproofing, your best bet would be to choose something made from rubber or foam, as they create an extremely tight seal and also absorb noise as well.

Weatherstripping can also prevent insects and dirt from entering a room. Do keep in mind that weatherstripping will deteriorate with time due to age, friction and general exposure to the elements in the environment. This is unavoidable. However, if installed properly, the weatherstripping installed for interior doors can last a lifetime.

Insert Appropriate Insulation into the Doors

Most interior doors are hollow. Sound can amplify and transmit through the hollow space into your room. You want to make sure to install a solid core or switch to a solid door. If you have hollow wood doors, you should consider spray polyurethane foam insulation or rigid fiberglass. These types of insulation have amazing noise-reducing properties, and are also relatively easy and quick to install, so they will save you a lot of time and money.

Familiarize yourself with the noise reduction properties of each type of insulation to make a more informed decision customized to your setting. For example, open-cell polyurethane does a great job at reducing high-frequency noises whereas closed-cell polyurethane foam eliminates low-frequency noises.

If security is a huge concern and you have hollow steel doors, a stiffened steel core may be the way to go. Be prepared to pay more for the added security though. Once again, the type of door that you are dealing with and your needs and concerns will factor into the type of insulation that is most appropriate.

Choose Sound-absorbing Insulation Materials

The rule of thumb is hard surfaces tend to reflect sound whereas soft surfaces tend to absorb sound. You can minimize the amount of sound that bounces throughout the room by padding the walls, ceilings and floors with sound-absorbing insulation materials.

In particular, consider installing sound-absorbing insulation on the ceiling. The insulation will look like soft cushions.  You can also do the same for the walls to get an enhanced noise-reduction result. Most experts recommend using drywall for the walls. Drywall is dense and heavy. It will easily absorb and block unwanted sounds, so you get the peace and quiet you deserve.

Conclusion

As the population continues to grow, more and more Americans are becoming conscious of ways they can insulate their home for enhanced noise-reduction properties. Don't be troubled by the sound of the city, and get the relaxation you need. Speak with a professional contractor for a thorough inspection and to get more information regarding what you can do for each room. For more information see http://www.randkaz.com.