Is Covid-19 changing the indoor soundscape in your home?

Home should be a place of calm where we can relax and escape from the stress of everyday life. But the pandemic and prolonged lockdown have brought seismic changes to the utilisation of space at home. Ben Hancock, managing director at Oscar Acoustics suggests ways for self-builders to create a quieter home environment that focuses on our wellbeing.

Is lockdown noise driving you up the wall at home? Families have been compelled to share space like never before in the last 12 months. Harmony may well have been shattered during this time, by a cacophony of teenagers’ music, film soundtracks, intense Zoom calls and thumping Joe Wicks’ workouts.

But it needn’t be that way. For the homemaker who craves a peaceful interior environment, there are many ways to soundproof a domestic house or flat, and reduce the daily burden of unwelcome noise.

Tackling unwanted noise at home
One of the first steps to restore peace at home is to identify the source of the noise and research the best solutions for your budget. One of the main perpetrators of disruptive noise, particularly for those who live in flats, is from neighbours above. Disturbances such as loud music, footsteps or lively discussions from upstairs neighbours, are the most common causes of complaints by residents, and have a huge impact on our ability to work from home and concentrate. Luckily ceiling soundproofing is more affordable and hassle-free than you think. If you’re a DIY aficionado you may just be able to take care of it yourself.

Acoustic hangers to reduce unwelcome noise
Nowadays, it’s possible to install products such as an isolated soundproof ceiling system to help mitigate decibel levels.

Sound passes through ceilings and floors as vibrations and sound pressure waves that penetrate and travel through floorboards, joists, and ceilings in the form of vibration and noise. Installing acoustic ceiling hangers can significantly reduce noise from overhead by creating an isolated, ‘floating ceiling’ which stops the vibration that causes the transfer of unwanted noise from floor to floor.

Some types of acoustic hangers can be self-installed by competent DIY persons, reducing installation costs. Another major bonus is that all the work can be carried out from below and only the minimal amount of ceiling height is lost if you choose the right one. Fire-rated products should also be top of the agenda when looking for the right acoustic hanger for a project. It’s also worth checking for industry certifications as a sign of quality too – a superior soundproofing product should meet the British Building Regulations for ‘Approved Document E’ for airborne and impact sound.

Cut the noise with insulating cavity fillers
A common reason for overhead sound transfer is cavity gaps in walls and ceilings that allow sound to travel through, as there is no insulation barrier in place. Cavity fillers are a perfect solution to reducing sound transfer in the home. They can either be sprayed in the wall cavity before a void is closed or they can be blown through holes to improve the acoustic insulation of walls and ceilings. Either way, you’ll notice no difference to the appearance of your ceiling once complete, it will look just as it did before.

Noise insulating cavity fillers have come on a long way in terms of their specs and features and a top-quality product will use materials that are naturally safe and recyclable – most notably cellulose fibre. There are other reasons to consider investing in cavity insulation, beyond the reduction in unwanted sound transfer. A high-quality cavity filler will also result in lower heating bills due to its impressive thermal qualities. For those looking to make an impact, it’s possible to combine a cavity filler with an acoustic ceiling hanger for even more protection against unwelcome sounds, allowing you to work peacefully in the tranquillity of your own home.

It’s well worth seeking out environmentally-friendly cavity insulation products for your noise reduction project. A ‘green’ insulation product will typically consist of naturally safe recycled cellulose fibres, and have been manufactured to a low-energy format, ensuring CO2 emissions are kept to a minimum. Choose a material that is recyclable too, to meet your sustainability requirements.

Don’t move, improve: quality soundproofing solutions add value
The improvements I’ve discussed above appeal to self-builders because they can be implemented without disrupting the room above, or compromising the design of the room itself.

Once completed, you’ll appreciate the improvement in sound isolation, with all the benefits to you and your family’s wellbeing that brings. If your youngest has taken up the trumpet, or early morning aerobics is your partner’s latest obsession, the noise they generate need no longer be a problem. What’s more, with working from home now an accepted part of life, having a soundproofed section of the house could add practical benefits – and monetary value – to your property in the long term. That’s another great reason to invest in soundproofing for some much needed home comfort during lockdown and beyond.