I’ve been doing soundproofing projects for many years now, and one of the most common question people ask me is, “Do soundproof curtains work?”
In my opinion, soundproof curtains are extremely effective for sound‐deadening applications, but when it comes to sound‐blocking, I think they’re completely useless. They’re good for reducing echo in a room, but they certainly won’t reduce the decibel level of sounds that are entering the room.
However, just because they’re not effective at reducing decibel levels, that doesn’t mean soundproof curtains won’t help decrease the presence of unwanted noise in your room.
Let me explain further. Suppose you bring your smartphone into the bathroom and decided to play a song. I guess you can hear how annoying the sound is, right? It tends to reverberate off the walls and echo terribly. Now, take your phone into your master closet and play the same song. I’m sure it doesn’t reverberate off the walls. Why? Because the closet has clothes in it, which help deaden the echo.
Soundproof curtains work the same way. They don’t quiet the source of the sound, but instead, they make the sound die out much more quickly.
Do Soundproof Curtains Work?
Let’s get straight to the answer, yes!
If you hear lots of exterior sounds like traffic, dogs barking or construction work while you’re in your room, then a soundproof curtain will not be as effective as a quality soundproof window, but I can guarantee that this is still a straightforward and effective choice when it comes to noise reduction.
Curtains are a remarkable way to deaden sound in your room and keep it from reverberating or echoing. When it comes to blocking noise completely, curtains may not be enough, but they’ll surely help.
How to Choose High-Quality Soundproof Curtains
Choosing the right curtains for your needs is quite simple. A soundproof curtain is just an extra‐thick curtain, but for marketing purposes, these are labeled as soundproof curtains.
An effective soundproof curtain will be made from heavy, tightly woven fabric and will extend from the ceiling to the floor, as well as several inches past each side of the window. The main point is that it’ll cover as much of the area around the window as possible, so the folds of the curtain can seal the sides—thereby blocking the noise.
The ones I highly recommend purchasing are the NICETOWN Blackout Curtains, and I also like the Best Home Fashion Thermal Blackout Curtains.
Here are four solid tips for getting the best level of sound reduction possible from your curtains:
- Some people will suggest that you buy two panels for each window of your house. Even though you’ll get some noise reduction, however, this won’t be as effective as having four panels.
- Buy ceiling mount curtain brackets, because they’re a lot better than regular wall brackets. They’ll take the curtains closer to the ceiling and break down more of the sound before it gets to enter the room.
- Don’t spend your money on the curtains that are 84 inches long. It’s best to invest your money in the ones that are 96 inches long. The reason behind this is that your curtains will go floor‐to‐ceiling if you have traditional 8‐foot ceilings, and the longer curtains tend to look better as well.
- If you haven’t invested in a steam cleaner, I suggest you do so immediately. When you get your curtains, you’ll likely find that they have a lot of wrinkles. I don’t recommend putting these in the wash, as I prefer to steam‐clean them, which also helps take out the wrinkles.
The Alternatives to Noise‐Proofing Curtains
If you have a large budget, I highly recommend getting these Moondream sound insulation curtains. Keep in mind that they’re not cheap, but they’re likely to get rid of your noise problem without completely breaking your wallet.
You can also purchase this green glue sealant to seal all the gaps in your windows.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you have the funds and want to fully stop sound from coming through your window, then I’d recommend hiring an expert for the job. You’ll probably spend between $1000 and $1500 on a soundproof window and pay an extra $500 to have it installed.
Conclusion
Hiring an expert to install a soundproof window is the best way to block sound from coming into your room. But going this route is quite expensive, and probably isn’t worth the sacrifice and investment for most people.
Soundproof curtains are an inexpensive DIY method that can save you tons of cash. Plus, even if you’re not a handy person, installing a soundproof curtain should be pretty easy, especially if you follow the advice in this article.
Thank you for taking the time to read our article. You can also check out my other guides, such as Best Soundproof Curtains 2019. If you have any questions, feel free to let us know by leaving a comment. We wish you the best on your soundproofing journey!
image: Needpix.com