Noise Blocking Curtains Guide

Looking to reduce noise coming into your home or office? Noise blocking curtains, also known as soundproof curtains, are an effective and affordable solution. These special curtains are designed to dampen sounds from outside by blocking sound wave transmission.

How Do Noise Blocking Curtains Work?

Noise blocking curtains are made of dense, heavyweight fabrics that effectively absorb sound rather than letting it pass through. The materials, construction, width, and overlap of the curtains are key factors that determine how well they can buffer sounds.

Here's a quick overview of why these curtains reduce noise infiltration:

• Dense materials impede the transmission of sound wave vibrations from one side of the curtain to the other.
• Heavy fabrics dampen noise vibrations rather than amplifying them.
• Multi-layered curtains block more sound wave frequencies across the spectrum.
• Extra wide and full curtains with pleats cover more surface area to absorb sound.
• Sufficient overlap of the curtains with the wall, floor, and one another seals acoustic gaps.

Sound Absorption vs Sound Blocking

There are two main ways that materials can reduce noise:

Noise blocking curtains primarily block sound with their dense mass and structure. But they also absorb some higher frequency noises that make it through the first layer. The combination minimizes both external noise infiltration and internal sound reverberation.

Choosing the Best Noise Blocking Curtains

All noise blocking curtains are not made equal. The right ones for your needs will depend on several factors:

• The source and intensity of the noise
• How much noise reduction you want to achieve
• Whether you still want light to pass through
• Your budget
• The look and feel you prefer

Consider the Noise Source

Consider the primary external noise sources you want to muffle. Is it traffic, construction, noisy neighbors, indoor hallway sounds, or something else? Understanding the main frequencies and volumes will help determine the density and other specs you need.

For instance, very loud or low-pitched noise like vehicle rumbling requires more soundproofing than higher-pitched noises like voices.

Opaque vs. Transparent Style

Opaque blackout curtains offer the most noise reduction since they completely block light. But if you still want to see outside, opt for layered, noise-dampening curtains made of soundproof transparent materials.

Measure Window Size

Make sure to get noise blocking curtains wide and long enough to cover the entire window area. They should extend past the edges of the window trim to effectively seal noise gaps. Consider floor-to-ceiling lengths for maximum coverage.

What Features to Look For

These qualities will maximize the noise protection capabilities of your sound blocking curtains:

• Density: Look for durable, densely woven fabrics like velvet, wool, felt, quilting, and synthetic fur. Density prevents sound vibrations from penetrating through the material's mass.
• Lining: Lined curtains with different thick layers of fabric block a wider range of sound wave frequencies.
• Fullness: Curtains with box or inverted box pleats absorb more noise since the folds create pockets of trapped air.
• Weighted hems: This helps the curtains form an acoustic seal with the floor to prevent sound infiltration from below.
• Reinforced edges: This prevents the curtains from getting damaged. Metal grommets also minimize sound traveling through holes in the fabric.
• Light blocking: Opaque blackout curtains offer more noise dampening since zero light passes vibrationally through them.

Best Materials for Blocking Noise

These fabric types provide the most noise blocking for soundproof curtains:

Felt

Dense, heavyweight wool felt curtain panels have long been used for sound absorption. The thick layered fibers growing perpendicular to the surface optimally dampen noise.

Velvet

With an exceptionally plush, dense pile, velvet curtains block noises extremely effectively. The luxurious fabric feels nice too.

Quilted Fabrics

Quilting usually involves a layered fabric "sandwich" filled with insulation material. This traps more noise vibrations across a wider acoustic spectrum.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass makes an incredibly lightweight but highly noise-dampening sound barrier. Curtains backed with fiberglass batting or insulation minimize transmitted noise.

Foam or Insulation Backings

Pairing curtains with supplemental sound absorbing materials like mass loaded vinyl, acoustic foam, or insulated backings enhances noise reduction performance.

Tips for Proper Installation

To ensure your noise blocking curtains effectively prevent sound infiltration, pay attention to these installation details:

Sufficient Overlap

Your curtains should generously overlap with each other in the middle, as well as the wall edges and floor. This envelops windows in a sound-buffered cocoon, leaving no gaps for noise sneaking through.

Use a Curtain Rod with Returns

Extending your rod an extra 6 to 12 inches beyond the window frame provides space to completely overlap the curtains. The returns prevent sound passing through the side gaps.

Seal Perimeter Gaps

Use acoustic caulking and weather strips around edges where the curtains meet the walls and floor. This bridges any tiny sound gaps that could compromise the noise dampening performance.

Noise Blocking Curtain Alternatives

In some situations, alternative soundproofing options may suit your needs better than curtains alone:

Acoustic Panels

Panels made of noise-trapping foam or other sound absorbing materials reduce echos and reverberation within a room itself.

Secondary Interior Treatments

Layering additional interior window coverings such as shutters, shades, or a secondary lighter curtain boosts sound dampening.

Window Film

Special acoustic window films block some noise while still allowing light through. This transparent yet noise-reducing option works for those needing visibility or unable to install curtains.

Noise Blocking Curtains by Room

Here are some of the main rooms people soundproof with noise blocking curtains:

Bedrooms

Getting good quality sleep is difficult with noise disturbances. Soundproof bedroom curtains effectively buffer outside noise pollution so you can rest peacefully.

Home Offices

Minimizing distractions is key forconcentration and productivity when working from home. Acoustic office curtains reduce disruptive noise.

Nurseries

Infants sleep lighter and need peaceful rest. Noise blocking nursery curtains ensure your baby isn't woken up.

Preventing sound transmission in and out of your home theater creates acoustic privacy. This allows you to fully immerse in movies without disturbing housemates.

Overall, noise blocking curtains offer an elegant soundproofing solution for bedrooms, nurseries, offices, and most other rooms. With proper installation, they can reduce noise disturbances by 20% to 50% depending on the product specifications.

Do your research to find the best noise blocking curtains for your budget, noise problems, and aesthetic preferences. Then install them correctly so no sound sneaks past the acoustic barrier they create over your windows. A peaceful, distraction-free environment awaits!