Today, Americans spend more and more time enveloped in home activities, thanks to home offices, media rooms, spacious kitchens and busy family spaces. Our homes have grown to accommodate our active lives. That's the good news.
The not-so-good news is that most of our homes haven't fully adapted. We've begun to recognize another type of pollution: noise.
Open floor plans, increased activity and a raft of high-tech gadgetry and appliances have sullied our solace--just when we were ready to kick back and enjoy a tall, cool one.
Granted, noise isn't as scary as fouled air or tainted water, but it can affect sleep, stress and quality of life--including our sense of privacy.
Fortunately, you can take several actions to control noise. Although some must be handled during a major building or remodeling project, others are relatively easy fixes you can do anytime.
Sealing Holes
Whether you're building new walls or improving old ones, seal-up any place where air may leak through; where there is air, there is the potential for noise.
Use flexible polyurethane or acrylic latex caulk or foam sealant to seal where pipes, wires, heating registers and any other objects penetrate the walls or ceiling. To avoid direct transfer of sound, switch and receptacle boxes and heating registers should not be placed back-to-back in a wall.
Reducing Noise Makers
If you've ever stretched a string between two tin cans to create a primitive telephone, you know sound can travel along a physical object--a string--just as it travels through the air. With this in mind, opt for flexible furnace ducts rather than the rigid-metal type--or at least install flexible types between the air-handling equipment and the rigid ducts.
When possible, use resilient pads to separate pipes from framing members. Provide air chambers to eliminate water hammer caused when you quickly shut off a faucet. And caulk openings around pipes.
When purchasing new appliances, opt for the quiet ones. You'll be amazed at the differences between conventional fans, dishwashers and the like and their newer, quiet counterparts. If possible, isolate noisy equipment, well away from sleeping areas.
Dedicated equipment rooms with insulated walls and solid core doors are a good idea.
To achieve a home that is not only functional but quiet takes a little work. But when you're ready to put up your feet and enjoy a good book and you can't hear the tube or the latest rock group, you'll know it was well worth the effort. Silence is golden.
Get a Pre-Screened Home Soundproofing Contractor in Your Area!
Sound Insulation Resources
Note: some of the following addresses or phone numbers may have changed.
Assn. of the Wall & Ceiling Industries Intl.
803 Broad St. 3600
Falls Church, VA 22046
Phone: 703-534-8300
Fax: 703-684-2925
CertainTeed Corp. Insulation Group
P.O. Box 860
Valley Forge, PA 19482-0860
(800) 523-7844
http://www.certainteed.com
800 782-8777
|
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
PO Box 1763
Norcross, GA 30091
800-BUILD-GP
(800-284-5347)
http://www.gp.com
Johns Manville
P.O. Box 5108
Denver, CO 80217
(800) 654-3103
http://www.schuller.com
Knauf Fiber Glass
240 Elizabeth St.
Shelbyville, IN 46176
(800) 825-4434
http://www.knauffiberglass.com
Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp.
Fiberglas Tower
Toledo, OH 43659
(800) GET-PINK
http://www.owenscorning.com
|
National Wood Window and Door Assn.
1400 E. Touhy Ave.
Suite 470
Des Plaines, IL 60018-3305
Phone: 708-299-5200
800-223-2301
http://www.nwwda.org
North American Insulation Manufacturers
44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 310
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-684-0084
request the Sound Control for Commercial and Residential Buildings
United States Gypsum
PO Box 806278
Chicago, IL 60680-4124
Phone: 312-606-4000
800-USG-4YOU
http://www.usg.com
|
