When you think of a home, you imagine a peaceful place. So, if your home is noisy, you would want to find a solution. So, where do you even begin to silence the things around you?
Adding carpet can significantly decrease noise in your home or space by 30% to 70%. This is because a carpet absorbs noise and lessens echoes by absorbing sound. Unlike a hardwood or concrete floor, its fibers rap and disperse sound waves, allowing sound to bounce off easily.
This article will explain how carpet reduces noise, the best carpets to reduce noise, and other soundproofing and noise reduction alternatives. Continue reading to learn how carpet absorbs and reduces sound.
How Does Carpet Lessen Sound?
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You’re familiar with the sensation of sounds vibrating through your body if you’ve ever stood in front of a large speaker. This is because the vibration of air molecules is primarily responsible for the transmission of sound.
Carpet can dampen sound vibrations, effectively suppressing them. This is due to the carpet’s construction and composition. Carpets, regardless of type, are extremely fibrous.
Increased surface area and air pockets between fibers and fiber groups trap air molecules, preventing them from vibrating freely. Ultimately, all sounds are dampened due to the reduction in the number of vibrating air molecules.
Different fibers, tufts, and underlays all have their unique resonating frequencies. Similarly, you can feel deafening sounds because air molecules transmit sound waves to the materials surrounding them. This property causes sounds to be dampened due to the length difference, material type, and the number of fibers in carpets.
The Best Carpet Types for Sound insulation
When choosing the best carpets for soundproofing, there are a few critical factors to consider. The top three will be the density, Sound Transmission Class (STC), and Impact Transmission Class (ITC).
Firstly, density indicates that the carpet contains more mass and fibers, necessary for sound absorption. STC and ITC are carpet ratings that enable you to compare carpets for noise reduction when you’re out shopping alone.
Wool carpet is among the best types of carpet for sound absorption. The length, diameter, shape, and crimping of the wool fibers in this carpet are incredible. Additionally, because wool carpets have a dense fiber distribution, these variations occur even in small sample sizes.
Each fiber has a unique resonating frequency, which means it absorbs more frequencies than a carpet made of uniform fibers. This is due to the differences in wool fibers.
Wool is the best material for carpets, having been shown to reduce noise by more than 40% on its own. Nonetheless, it’s best to remember that the carpet’s underlay will provide the majority of the noise absorption. Underlays made of high-performance felt will cushion floors and absorb sound.
Any addition of mass-loaded vinyl has a significant effect on sound quality. Felt adds another layer of fibrous material to the mix for sound dispersion. On the other hand, vinyl is highly dense and heavy, effectively blocking out several sound vibrations.
Outside Vs. Inside Noises
If you stay on a busy street or in a noisy neighborhood, you may also wish to reduce outside noise. Carpet reduces noise levels within the home and helps dampen outside noise. While your walls act as the primary barrier, a carpet will still absorb those sounds.
What Can You Use To Absorb Sound In A Room?
Sound absorption within a room is much simpler than one might believe. Everything in a room reverberates with sound.
As with carpets versus hard floors, a room with soft and dense objects will minimize noise. This section will discuss some items that can be used to absorb sound in a room.
Wall Décor
Blankets and rugs are an effective and relatively inexpensive method of noise reduction. While a shaggy rug will absorb the most sound, any type will help absorb sound while adding a decorative element to the room.
Hanging blankets or simply storing them in the room will aid in this process. Whether you have a decorative blanket or a tapestry to hang, they can help absorb sound in your room.
Pillows or Throws
Pillows or throws in abundance on your bed or furniture aids in sound absorption and help deafen the room.
Introducing fabric to wood furniture reduces its propensity to bounce noises. Consider chair cushions and tablecloths for all tables.
Foam Tiles
Attaching sound-absorbing foam tiles to your walls will help reduce noise. They’re available in various shapes and sizes.
You can add flair to your room without consuming much space by painting them or purchasing more expensive light-effect tiles. Another alternative for the walls is to cover them with fabric wallpaper if your budget permits.
Bookshelf
Another excellent way to absorb sound is to construct a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. While it may seem archaic, a fully stocked bookshelf adds a tremendous amount of mass to a room. This mass absorbs and dissipates sound waves, assisting you in creating a quiet environment.
Weather Stripping
Installing weather stripping on your doors is another way to quiet a room. Typically, the rubber liner is used only on external doors to keep moisture, insects, and dust out. Introducing this to your interior doors, on the other hand, will help soundproof your rooms by dampening outside noises.
What Is The Best Soundproofing Flooring?
When comparing floorings, don’t overlook the ITC and STC ratings. In general, a rating of 60 indicates superior noise reduction, whereas a rating of 70 indicates near-soundproofing.
This is particularly advantageous when installing flooring on a non-ground floor. A higher rating will shield you from hearing every step taken by those above you.
Which flooring material is the best is a challenging question to answer. Even a wood or laminate floor can be made quiet with the appropriate underlayment and decor. The most effective sound-absorbing options are typically a combination of sound-absorbing flooring, an underlayer, and decor.
A wool carpet with a wool underlayment is among the best soundproofing flooring combinations. Consider using a cut carpet rather than a looped one, as it has a more open surface and absorbs more sound. Wool carpets with adequate underlayment can reduce noise by up to 70%.
Which Carpet Underlay Is The Best For Noise Reduction?
Vinyl is the best all-purpose sound-absorbing material available. While MLV isn’t explicitly designed for use as an underlay, it is incredibly effective at absorbing sound regardless of its application.
MLV is a common noise dampener found in pipes, interior walls, and automobiles. The best application of MLV in flooring is beneath a carpet.
Felt underlayers are effective at absorbing sound. This type of underlayment reduces sound underneath laminate flooring and engineered wood floors. Don’t attempt to use this type of underlayment beneath a carpet, as it isn’t designed for that purpose.
Floor Muffler is an excellent underlayment for hardwood and concrete floors. Their Ultraseal Underlayment protects your flooring from moisture and mold. Additionally, this underlayment is 100 percent recyclable.
Keep in mind to check ITC and STC ratings and consult a professional when shopping for underlayment. There are multiple underlayments available in a variety of materials. So, conduct extensive research and consider the options mentioned above before purchasing.
Conclusion
Carpet is one of the most effective sound-absorbing materials available. A carpeted floor will reduce sound volume, echoes, and harshness in any room.
If you’re looking to create a peaceful environment in your home, adding a carpet is an excellent option.
