What Are Soundproof Curtains?

If you have experienced the frustration of a noisy neighbor or live near a major highway, then you know how important soundproof curtains can be.  Unless your home was built with soundproof double pane windows, it is unlikely that your windows do much of anything to stop the excessive noise outside your home.  Soundproof curtains provide one additional layer of protection against noise pollution, providing peace and quiet for your family.  Generally made up of an outer decorative fabric, and a mass loaded vinyl backing layer, soundproof curtains are extremely heavy and also double and light blocking drapes as well. They are a great alternative to more expensive soundproof curtain techniques.

The Truth About Soundproof Curtains:

The fact of the matter is, no curtain can be completely soundproof.  The only thing that can truly stop sound is mass, and in order for a curtain to be able to truly block all noise it would have to weigh as much a wall many inches thick.  Because of this, a more accurate name for soundproof curtains would be sound reducing or noise control drapes.  Don’t let this myth stop you from looking further into noise reducing materials.  In fact, good acoustical curtains can reduce high and mid range frequencies up to 25db, or more than 4 times less noise than if you didn’t have them.  Doubling up acoustical drapes with around 12 inches in between them can provide even more control of unwanted noises.

Installing Soundproof Curtains (Noise Control):

Most acoustical curtains weigh in excess of 15-25lbs.  Traditional drape rods will most likely not support the weight of noise control materials without a little extra work.  Make sure you choose a “heavy duty” baton style rod with heavy duty brackets.  The rod must be able to support a minimum of 4lbs per foot.  You will most likely find something like this at your hardware store, as opposed to a home decor store. (Any solid wood rod, or metal rod with limited adjustments will do).   Additionally, you will need to fasten the brackets directly into the wood that holds in the window frame.  Alternatively you could use drywall or plaster anchors which advertise a rating of 50lbs or more.

Acoustic Blankets:

If you are not as concerned about the style and aesthetics of your window treatments, acoustic blankets are much cheaper than soundproof drapes designed to perform well and look good. They have sound dampening properties like acoustic foam.  Similar in look to a moving or packing blanket, acoustic blankets are capable of reducing noise transmission up to 21db.  (Sound is cut in half for every 10db).  Weighing around 10lbs, these blankets are designed to absorb and destroy both light and noise, and are sometimes even more effective than soundproof curtains.