Traffic noise is one of the most disturbing and annoying intrusions inside the comfort of a bedroom.
If you live in a crowded area or near or on a busy street in a city, traffic noise is probably the biggest hindrance to your peace.
The traffic noise problem can be persistent if there are a lot of cracks or gaps, because noise can travel through them easily.
Moreover, noise can also trespass walls and barriers in the absence of additional protection.
Soundproofing a room can be tricky, especially if you want to do it on your own with minimum effort.
If you’re reading this, then the chances are that you’ve had enough, and now you want solutions.
Well, you’ve found yourself in the right place. In this article, we’ll share some of the most effective tips to eliminate traffic noise from your bedroom, so you can get the beauty sleep that you deserve.
Keep reading below for top noise-blocking tips!
Change or Soundproof Your Windows for Noise Reduction
If you live in a room with windows that open towards a busy street, then the best course of action would be to soundproof them.
If they are old windows, then we recommend replacing them entirely with thicker and more soundproof ones.
So, the first step should be to examine the windows in your bedroom and see how resistant they are to the noise.
This is important because windows are the most significant entry point for traffic noise. Check for any cracks or gaps in your windows.
See if your windows close properly; sometimes they are not air-tight, and that causes the noise to pass through.
If you notice any such issues in the windows, then you need to seriously consider replacing them or making them soundproof.
Soundproof windows block out most of the noise and allow you to live peacefully. These windows are usually double-paned and do not allow sound waves to penetrate through them.Â
Inspect Walls and Install Soundproofing
Inspect your walls and see if they are thick enough. A wall with a 2×6 or 2×4 exterior is not enough to block any kind of sound noise.
If you have a budget, then it may be time to take on a comprehensive soundproofing project.
The idea is to have walls that are double-glazed. Make sure you get all your walls glazed so the noise can’t penetrate from any direction.
Double glazing doesn’t only block noise, but it also keeps your home warm and reduces your electricity bills if you live in a cold climate.
Install Thick and Solid Doors
As is obvious, windows and doors are the easiest way that noise enters your room.
If you want to cancel out the traffic noise that penetrates through them, you need to ensure that your doors are good enough to block any noise and loud sounds.
This becomes especially important if you live close to a bust street or park where there is always noise.
Consider installing a composite door as your main entryway.
Also, have a look at the gap between the door and the floor. If there is enough space, it acts as a way for noise to enter uninterrupted.
You can install door traps (or just try and cover it with a cloth or place a mat there)
Seal all the Cracks & Gaps
Cracks and gaps are major contributors to allowing traffic noise inside your bedroom.
Sound travels through air, so any crack and gap that air can travel through, sound can too.
That is why it is essential to block and seal all these gaps to reduce the noise inside your room.
You can do this by sealing the cracks and gaps found on walls with acoustic sealants.
Not only will this prevent noise from coming in, but this also helps in insulation and will keep your energy bills low.Â
Seal Gaps Around Doors
Noise also travels through the gaps under the door moldings. You can apply sealants under the moldings to create a barrier between the traffic noise and your room.
Another effective technique is to close the gaps with an adhering rubber weatherstripping attached at the bottom of the door.
If you’re looking for a quick and temporary fix, then you can use any thick cloth to cover the gap.
Take a towel, roll it up, and fix it at the bottom of your room’s door.
Get Nature on Your Side
For simple fixes, getting nature on your side can really benefit you.
There are many natural things that block or absorb noise and keep it from entering your room.
One way to do this is by planting trees or shrubs just outside your room’s boundary wall. This will help reduce the noise that penetrates through.
Opt for plants that have big fleshy leaves (such as money plants). These leaves are soft and can be great at absorbing noise.
The best place to place these plants is in the corners of the room.
Moreover, if you live in a big house with a bedroom on the ground floor, installing a waterbody just outside could help cancel out the traffic noise.
For example, the sound from a water fountain is much more pleasant than that of car horns.
Install Soundproof Curtains
Another good solution is soundproof curtains.
Yes! You heard us right; even curtains can be soundproof. Curtains that insulate sounds are readily available in the market.
Hanging these curtains on the windows of your bedroom can significantly aid your noise-canceling measure for your room.
Add Accostic Panels to the Walls
Another great measure for reducing traffic noise is to panel your walls with acoustic foam that absorbs sounds and prevents them from traveling.
You can choose any color or texture for panels covering your walls to add a bit of creativity to your room.
If you don’t want to panel all the walls in the bedroom, try and identify where the noise is coming from and use these acoustic foams right in front of the noise source.
The idea is to have the sound waves fall on acoustic foam panels and get absorbed or weakened.
Rearrange the Furniture inside your Bedroom
Another quick fix may be to rearrange the furniture in your room.
For example, you can move your heavy bookshelf or the dresser to the corner or wall that allows the most sound to travel in.
This technique is useful and requires no budget, so if you’re running low on funds, this can provide the necessary relief.
So, move your cupboards and wardrobes around to add a layer of blockage between the traffic noise and your room.
I was facing the same issue with my bedroom and I moved into one of my bookshelves. It has really made a huge impact. Books are perfect for absorbing sound waves and work really well in dampening the noise.
Pro tip: If possible, place them in the corners (or close to the corners). Corners are the culprit when it comes to reflecting sound waves and having furniture in the corners will ensure that the sound waves are either absorbed or their intensity is reduces
Time to Bring Wallpapers Back
Wallpapers are now also available with soundproof material.
If you’re looking to eliminate traffic noise from your room, then pasting soundproof wallpapers can help tremendously while adding your favorite design to the room.
Wallpapers absorb some of the noise and at the same time also reduce the intensity of the sound waves reflecting from the wall.
Add a Rug / Carpet in the Bedroom
I was surprised how much of a difference having a carpet can have on noise reduction for the room.
Floors are made of hard material and are wonderful at reflecting sound waves. By adding a carpet (or a rug), you make sure these noise waves are absorbed and not reflected as easily.
This helps tremendously in reducing the noise levels.
If you want the maximum benefit from having a carpet for noise reduction, choose one that is soft and fluffy and has lots of fibers. It would further help absorb and dissipate the noise levels.
Final Thoughts
Traffic noise can ruin the sanctity of your bedroom and affect your rest and leisure time unnecessarily. That is why it is essential to take measures to eliminate or reduce it.
Keep in mind that there is only so much you can do to prevent noise from coming into your bedroom.
Unless you go super professional and completely soundproof your bedroom, the noise will find a way to get into the house.
But with these simple tricks that we have covered in this article, you can easily dampen the noise and make your bedroom a lot quieter and comfortable.
By taking the measures that we mentioned above, you can make your bedroom more peaceful.
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