Soundproofing your bedroom or living space is one way to maintain a peaceful atmosphere at home. Some people swear by soundproofing blankets, but do they really work?
Soundproof blankets work by absorbing the noise around you. While they may not block out noise completely, soundproof blankets work as a barrier to reduce or dampen unwanted sounds significantly.
In this article, I’ll discuss the effectiveness of soundproof blankets, how they work, and what situations are perfect for using them.
Also read: Sound Blankets Vs Moving Blankets – Key Differences
How Effective Are Soundproof Blankets?
Soundproof blankets work very well for noise reduction. Simply hanging a soundproof blanket on the wall can lessen the volume of the noise coming through by up to 80 percent.
The effectiveness of soundproof blankets depends greatly on the quality of the material used.
The STC (sound transmission class) ratings on these blankets show they have been field tested and rated accordingly. The higher the STC rating, the more effective the soundproof blanket is at eliminating sound.
Check out this article for more ways to reduce sound coming through walls.
The following characteristics contribute to the overall effectiveness of soundproof blankets:
- Density
- Thickness
- Type of material its made from
- Type of noise
- Volume of noise
- The blanket’s stitching
How Do Soundproof Blankets Work?
Soundproof blankets are effective for reducing noise because they are made of dense, layered materials that absorb sound.
These materials can consist of the following:
- Fiberglass
- Mineral wool
- Cellulose
- Foam
- Mass-loaded Vinyl
Soundproof blankets are designed with multiple layers that create a dense barrier. They absorb any sound waves that bounce around the room. The sound passes through the first layer and is reduced as it approaches each of the soundproof blanket’s inner layers.
What Types of Noise Does a Soundproof Blanket Minimize?
Soundproof blankets are perfect for both absorbing and blocking different types noise. They’re an excellent solution to any noise problem and are much more affordable than the many other soundproofing options on the market.
When it comes to soundproofing, you should aim to minimize two types of noise: inside noise and outside noise.
Inside noise refers to the sound that is produced within the home itself. This can include sounds from people talking, appliances running, and children playing. By far, this is the most common type of noise in homes, and you don’t want them to escape the room.
Outside noise refers to noises that come from the outside world, such as cars passing by, music blasting from your neighbor’s stereo, or construction work going on outside. You don’t want these sounds to enter your room.
How Can You Use Soundproof Blankets?
The great thing about soundproof blankets is how versatile they are. They don’t require permanent installation and can be easily picked up and placed elsewhere when needed. You can use soundproof blankets in many different ways to fit your needs.
Drape Them Over Loud Appliances
Draping soundproof blankets over loud appliances can help deaden the noise in the room the appliance is located in. While the sound will not disappear completely, it will be significantly reduced.
There are many appliances that can be very disruptive to your daily life, such as washing machines and dryers. Loud appliances often run for a while, so having a soundproof blanket would benefit anyone in close proximity to these things.
Hang Them on a Wall
Hanging a soundproof blanket on a wall is a great way to absorb the sound in a noisy room or to block out outside noise. It’s great for those who are living in an apartment next to loud neighbors or those who may have an empty space in the house that echoes due to the lack of furniture.
Whatever the reason, hanging a soundproof blanket on the wall catches the sounds bouncing off walls around the room and brings the noise level down to a more acceptable volume.
Place Them on the Floor and Ceiling
Sharing a multiple-story home with other people comes with hearing a lot of noise.
Footsteps, chairs being pulled out and dragged across the floor, kids running around, and loud thumps are commonly heard by those who’ve got people living above them. It can be incredibly frustrating to listen to all day and even worse at night.
Soundproof blankets can be used on the ceiling as well as the floor. Ask your upstairs neighbor if they would try a soundproof blanket on the floor in the noisier areas of their place.
Likewise, using a soundproof blanket on your ceiling would be the perfect compromise for volume control. Soundproof blankets can also be covered with carpet for added noise reduction.
Hang Them Over Doors
Doors having multiple gaps make it easy for sound to travel from one room to another, as well as from one side of the door to the other. If you have a space under the door or the edges around the door, hanging a soundproof blanket can help with this problem.
In addition to hanging a soundproof blanket, using a sliding door sweep to close the gap beneath the door will help tremendously. Pairing soundproof blankets with other objects can make soundproofing your door more effective.
Use Them to Cover Windows
Windows also have gaps that allow sound to pass through easily. Windows let in many unwelcomed noises, especially when you’re living on a busy street where cars drive past, horns honk, and even roadwork and construction occur.
These outside noises get old fast, and hanging soundproof blankets over the windows will help reduce them. Some soundproof blankets even have grommets that make them easier to use for soundproofing windows.
Conclusion
Soundproof blankets are great for minimizing noise, but they can’t completely block unwanted sounds.
If you are looking for an affordable, easy soundproofing solution at home, soundproof blankets can work very well for you. When used with other types of soundproofing materials, these blankets can become much more effective.
While soundproof blankets won’t fully quiet the noise, they can reduce noise 30 to 80 percent, making them a convenient and cost-effective way to keep your home peaceful.