While windows are undoubtedly a necessity in any home, they’re also some of the weakest points in a building. This means that they let the heat out in winter, the heat in during summer, and the noise at any time of year. While you can go with double and triple glazing options, some people might wonder if there are any other soundproofing options. Here, we look at how curtains can effectively be used to limit the amount of sound that enters a property.
Sound proofing
While sound can travel through physical materials as well as through airwaves, the more ‘stuff’ it has to go through, the more energy is absorbed by the stuff. While a thick wall with varied densities is obviously the best solution for soundproofing, with windows, this poses an issue.
By using thick curtains, you can absorb a lot of the energy contained in acoustic waves. This means that less of the noise from outside can enter your home, and less of the noise you make inside will make it outside.
Thermal insulation
Heat also travels via a kind of wave; they’re very different to sound waves of course, but the same kinds of curtains that can be used for soundproofing can have very positive effects when it comes to thermal insulation.
As we start to approach winter, with record-breaking energy prices, a lot of people will also be looking for ways to decrease their heating bills. Insulated and thick curtains can massively help when it comes to retaining heat in a building during winter, while also keeping the heat out during our increasingly hot summers.
Best types of curtains for soundproofing
Of course, not all types of curtains are equally effective when it comes to soundproofing. The most effective curtains will be quite thick, meaning that there’ll be more material for the soundwaves to travel through.
Pleated curtains are also more effective than flat curtains, as the pleats add a lot more surface area. It can also produce a nice, cosy aesthetic, if you get along with that sort of thing.
If you find a curtain material that you love the look of, but it’s quite thin, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be adapted to make it appropriate for soundproofing. There are all sorts of backing materials you can sew onto thinner fabrics, some for blocking light, others for blocking sound and providing thermal insulation.
If you’re looking for somewhere to source your next set of insulated curtains, it’s worth checking out online retailers like Woodyatt Curtains. They have a wide range of lined curtains that are great for soundproofing and thermal insulation, and currently offer free UK delivery on orders over £75. If you want to see them in person first, then you can always have a look around a showroom and then once you identify something you like, order the closest option you can find online.
