I'm looking for ways to reduce the traffic noise my daughter hears at night from her bedroom window. Despite using a sound machine and heavy curtains, she can still hear cars passing by, which is making it hard for her to sleep. Since I live in an apartment, I can't make major changes, but I'm considering using some acoustic foam or similar material behind her curtains. Will this help, or is it not effective? Also, I don't mind if the windows remain somewhat see-through.
6 Answers
If you have the space, consider building some thick MDF shutters with weather stripping. Layering different density materials can help minimize sound transmission. Get creative with the shutters too—decorate them to make them look nice!
Forget acoustic foam! It really won't help much. Instead, I’d recommend using dense foam and maybe wrapping it in some fabric to make it look nicer. Just cut it to slightly larger than your window and wedge it in. It won't block all the noise, but will help reduce it significantly.
I faced a similar noise issue and got sound-deadening curtains. They work great at blocking outside noise while keeping the room dark. Highly recommend checking those out!
You should definitely give it a shot! There are kits out there, like the Privacy Shield Window Seal, that can really help. But if you're looking for a budget option, just get some foam board from a dollar store, shape it to fit the window, and pop it in at night. I did something similar with foam insulation and it worked decently!
Adding mass is key for dampening sound, so while thick foam can help a bit, it's probably not going to do the trick alone. I used similar foam and found it reduced noise somewhat, but it didn't completely block it out. If you can, consider adding something like a steel plate or heavy wood to really make a difference. Just make sure there's no gaps where sound can sneak through!
Absolutely! I’ve found that drywall or sheetrock works wonders. You could layer some rockwool and then a few layers of sheetrock against the window. Most of the sound might just be filtering through the walls after that.
First, make sure to tackle leaks around the windows since sound travels through gaps easily. Start with removable caulk to seal those edges. Then look for materials that absorb sound. Keep in mind, sound-absorbing materials (like fabric foam) are different from sound-blocking materials (like heavy vinyl); you’ll want to focus on the absorbers for inside her room for the best effect!
Exactly! If you can't put heavy materials on the window, hanging sound-absorbing stuff inside is the way to go. And don’t forget to seal any tiny holes!
That’s a clever idea! I built a frame to fit inside my window and used old blankets and foam blocks—basically just stuffed them in there. It really cut down on the highway noise. Just a DIY frame and some creativity can save you a lot!