When you buy a new home, you might not always be privy to its downfalls. In fact, the owner and the estate agent will often do everything in their power to downplay any possible negative points while promoting the perks. It’s a common tactic that anyone in sales is familiar with. A broken bathroom sink, ruined carpet, or similar minor issues are quite easy to remedy. A noisy neighbourhood, on the other hand, is a completely different story.
If you live close to the main road, railway line, or any other busy parts of the city, the noise can keep you up at night if you’re not used to it.
Whether you have bought a new home or trying to sell your current house, the noise factor should be addressed as soon as possible. The good news is that there are a number of options when it comes to noise reduction in your home.
The first step is to inspect all the vinyl windows in your home. Is there a particular room in your home where noise is a bigger problem than in the other rooms, then this part of your house will require extra attention. If you notice that this room has a low-quality window, this could be a reason for the higher noise levels, and a window replacement is advisable. Choosing the right windows is extremely important, and you should look for triple glazed windows in particular. The extra pane of glass means that there’s an extra shield against the elements – including unwelcome noise. If you have any windows in your home that you basically never open, you may want to replace them with fixed casement windows. These sealed units don’t open, but they still allow light to filter through. Because they don’t open, they are even more effective in preventing noise from penetrating gaps and tiny spaces.
Your entry doors are also important to inspect and possibly replace.
Test your doors and make sure that they all seal properly. If there are any air leaks, you can be sure that sound will also make its way through these same gaps. Doors that protect against the cold and heat also offer great noise reduction.
Compared to installing acoustic ceiling panels and similar soundproofing techniques, replacing a window or door is a much easier task and it offers great results. If your doors are still in very good condition, you might need to replace the weather stripping and not the entire door. Some doors also need to be adjusted from time to time, so make sure that you inspect them regularly. It also doesn’t hurt to check all of your interior doors. If you want to restrict the movement of noise from one room to the next, you can apply weather stripping to your interior doors as well.
Remember, soundproofing your home is not just about keeping the noise out, but also about keeping the noise in if you are the one responsible. Reducing the flow of noise from inside your home will mean that you can host parties, dinners, gaming nights, and other social gatherings without worrying about disturbing the neighbours.
When installing new windows or doors, it’s a good idea to have experienced and trained professionals do the job. Expert fitment means that the homeowner will enjoy the best results in terms of energy efficiency, functionality, and effectiveness in noise reduction. It’s equally important to look for quality products and ask your window and door dealer to tell you about their best products for noise reduction.
Contact Luma Doors + Windows at (905) 303-0560 to arrange your free in-home estimate as well as professional advice.