How To Block Sound from Noisy Neighbours

Living close to noisy neighbours can make it difficult to relax, concentrate or sleep. Whether the disturbance comes from conversations, home renovations, children or everyday household activity, there are several practical ways to reduce unwanted noise and create a quieter space at home.

Soundproof The Walls

Simply hang some pictures which may help absorb some of the sound within your room. Add some foam to the back of the canvas to get a little more sound absorption. There are also felt panels designed to absorb sound and you could use these as your own vision board or to display your worldly travels. These approaches can reduce echoes, but they will not significantly block noise travelling through a wall.

Another option is to install acoustic panels, which are specifically designed to absorb noise and improve sound quality. These panels come in a variety of colours and sizes, and can even be customised with your own designs and images. They can be easily mounted on your walls, and are a great way to add a touch of style to your space while also reducing echoes and reflected sound.

In addition to these options, you may also want to consider installing heavy curtains or blinds. These can help absorb some sound within a room and may slightly reduce outside noise, but they are not a substitute for proper soundproofing.

Finally, if you’re willing to invest a bit more money, you could also consider installing soundproof insulation in your walls. This involves adding suitable acoustic insulation as part of a properly designed wall system to help reduce sound transmission. While this may be a more expensive option, it can be an effective way to make your home or office much quieter and more peaceful.

Soundproof The Door

Is there space between the weather stripping around your frame and the door? You can reduce these gaps with high-quality weather stripping. You can also block draughts that seep under the door with a draught blocker. Doing this may help reduce unwanted sounds entering through the gaps.

Additionally, you can install a door sweep to further seal any gaps between the bottom of the door and the floor. This can reduce sound travelling through the gaps and entering the room.

Lastly, you can consider replacing your existing door with a solid-core door. Compared to hollow-core doors, solid-core doors are denser and can be more effective at blocking sound, particularly when fitted with suitable seals.

Soundproof The Windows

Even if all the windows are closed, the sound might still get in. Take a look to see if there is a proper seal around your windows and frames. A suitable secondary glazing or window insert system may help to reduce outside noises. Hanging heavy curtains is an even easier option. They may help to muffle some noise, although their effect on sound entering from outdoors is generally limited.

Floor/Ceiling Soundproofing

Do you live in an apartment or two-storey home with noisy people above? The noise can be particularly noticeable with tiled or wooden floors. Carpets and rugs can help soften footsteps and reduce echoes, especially when placed in the room where the noise originates. If none of these provide peace, think about using white noise or earplugs to make the disturbance less noticeable.

Earplugs

If you want to reduce the noise of the world, earplugs are a practical solution. Getting some quiet time at home can sometimes seem impossible. Breathe in and breathe out. Relax and get those batteries recharged. Put in your earplugs, get your favourite reading material and take a break from the outside world, even if it is just for 10 minutes.

Mack’s Dreamgirl earplugs are made of soft foam and have a slimmer shape suited to some smaller ear canals. The soft, slow-rebound foam is designed for comfort. If you’re a side sleeper, their shape may make them worth considering as one of the best earplugs for sleeping.

Earplugs are not a one-size-fits-all product and they are not meant to hurt or pop out, so you have to get the right size for your ears. For some people with smaller ear canals, Mack’s Slim Fit earplugs are the answer.

Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs are made from soft, low-pressure foam and are suitable for anyone who finds their size and shape comfortable. With a 32-decibel Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), they can help reduce unwanted noise. This is a laboratory rating, and the reduction you experience in practice depends on how well the earplugs fit and are inserted. If you want to get that much-needed sleep, these are worth considering for keeping noise down.

Reduce the noise from children, lawnmowers, leaf blowers and renovations with the wide selection we have on sale. We offer a range of Mack’s, Moldex and Ohropax earplugs. We also offer Haspro earplugs, with options designed for different everyday situations.

Enjoy some peace and quiet, even if it is for just a few minutes!

The Best Reusable Earplugs

Did you have a hard day at the office? Do you need to get work done at home? Maybe the kids are getting on your last nerve and you just need some quiet time. Alpine SleepSoft are reusable earplugs designed for sleeping, but you can also use them to reduce noise at other times. Haspro Office earplugs are another option for those who work at home during the day.

White Noise

White noise can help mask distracting sounds by providing a steady background noise. It does not physically block sound, but some people find that it makes intermittent disturbances less noticeable.

If the outside noise is getting too much, a white noise machine is another option. When used alongside properly fitted earplugs, it may help create a more comfortable environment for relaxation or sleep.

Some families also use white noise machines to help babies settle and to mask occasional background noises. Keep the volume low and place the machine well away from the baby’s cot. Create relaxing sounds at a comfortable volume whenever you want to relax, focus or fall asleep.

Nature Sounds

For a more natural approach to masking unwanted noise, consider playing calming nature sounds. The gentle sounds of rainfall, ocean waves, or a babbling brook can help mask disruptive noises while promoting relaxation. Nature sound apps and recordings are readily available, making it easy to create a more peaceful environment in any space. Alternatively, you could position a small fountain or water feature in your quiet space to provide a soothing background ambience.

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