Tehama Country Real Estate

REDUCE NOISE in the home HOW TO N oise in a home is a problem that can affect just about anyone. Noise can occur inside or be the product of noisy situations outside of the home. Eventually these sounds can try a home- owner's patience, but there are various ways to cope with noise. • Reduce the human scope of noise. One of the first steps to take is reducing the amount of noise generated by people inside of the house. If video games are noisy, encourage children to wear head- phones so the entire household is not subjected to the sounds of the game. Set limits on the volume of the television and try to keep only one set on at a given time in the house, particularly if televisions are located in rooms where doors cannot be closed to block the sound. People can also lower their speaking voices inside of the house. • Use sound-dampening furnishings. ere are many benefits to having hardwood flooring throughout a home, including its beauty. But hard- wood flooring could reflect sound waves and cause them to echo around the house. Area rugs will do some to muffle the sound, but carpeting is a good method of sound insulation. e carpeting and the padding underneath will absorb sounds, including footfalls on floors above. Hanging pictures on the wall and using drapery on windows also can absorb sound and prevent it from bouncing off of bare walls. • Change windows. If sounds are coming from outside, it might be worth the investment to up- grade windows, although this can prove costly. Many homeowners with outdoor noise issues in- stall triple-paned windows, which reduce sound and also provide significant energy savings. Changing the window frames is another option. Metal frames will transmit sound better than wood, fiberglass or vinyl. • Install door sweeps. A door sweep is not only effective at preventing dras, but sweeps can pre- vent sounds from coming out as well. • Check where drywall ends. Most drywall is not installed flush with the floor surface. Remove the base molding and you might find an inch gap from the floor where sound can escape. You can reduce noise by using a spray foam insulation in this area and then replacing the molding. A similar tactic can be used around electrical outlets. • Add additional insulation. icker walls make it hard for sound to travel throughout a home. You also can install a sound-stopping wallboard over existing drywall. Putting more insulation in the at- tic can reduce weather sounds generated from rain falling on the roof. • Plant sound-buffering trees and shrubs. For sounds that are generated outdoors, a sound bluff, like a line of thick bushes, can dull sound and pro- vide added privacy. Exploring different ways to reduce noise in a home can create a more peaceful environment.

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