Soundproofer Ballymena Northern Ireland (BT42): If you are concerned about the level of noise that's infiltrating your Ballymena home, be it in a bedroom, living room, studio or home office, you should contemplate installing some soundproofing. You could also be concerned about any noise from a home cinema or family room leaking out and disturbing other inhabitants. Either way, soundproofing is important for your peace of mind.
Before we can find methods for countering sound pollution, it would be a good idea to understand exactly how sound travels.
There basically a couple of ways by which sound can travel around a room:
1. By vibration of solid materials and objects.
2. The vibration or air molecules through the air.
Although sound also travels through liquids, unless you're wanting to reduce noises from a swimming pool or aquarium, we will only be concerned at how to soundproof rooms within a structure.
SOUND TRAVELLING THROUGH THE AIR
Any ill fitting windows, gaps around doors, heating ducts and even electrical sockets and light fittings can all be methods of transmission of sound into or outside a room. All sounds and noise will create movement and vibration of the air molecules, and it is this that we pick up and hear. All sounds are moved through the air in the same manner; it doesn't matter if it's kids playing, busy traffic, aircraft, machinery or music playing that creates the sound.
It is helpful to visualise a room as a boat and inspect it carefully for leaks that require sealing.
SOUND TRAVEL THROUGH OBJECTS AND STRUCTURES
Sound waves can also be reflected by, absorbed by or transferred to solid objects and structures. Sound can be transported around a property from its source through the vibration of walls, ceilings and floors. Even if a room is built from a solid material which is resistant to sound vibrations, such as a concrete basement, the sound can sometimes be reflected and maybe even amplified to other rooms in the property.
How do we stop this sound transmission from affecting other people? Soundproofing obviously.
SIMPLE STEPS IN SOUNDPROOFING
If you have bare floorboards or floors, consider covering them with carpet or laying a few rugs to help reduce any vibrations and sound reflections. Not only will such a simple solution help to reduce your noise problem, but it can also brighten up the room. Hanging curtains and wall coverings can also damp down sound reflections and vibrations through walls and windows without the need to hire a professional team of soundproofers.
Track down areas around the room where noise can escape or come in; windows, sockets, door frames and light fittings, and stop up any holes or gaps. There are special acoustic sealants available on the market that absorb the sound waves, and do not transmit them to the surrounding materials. There may be a little difference in the price in comparison with a standard sealant, but the soundproofing capabilities are far better and can make a massive difference to a room.
If your room is an empty canvas and you are doing the soundproofing as you decorate or renovate, look at putting up a layer of plasterboard or soundboard, (also called gyproc, sheet rock or drywall). This is a fairly dense type of boarding which is a perfect and economic soundproofing material. It's perfect if you are installing a games room, home cinema or study in your house in Ballymena. If you are not familiar with fitting plasterboard and framing, it's better to hire a professional team to guarantee the optimal soundproofing benefits from its installation.
The final do-it-yourself solution is to think about the doors in your property in Ballymena. While hollow doors are lightweight and relatively affordable, their soundproofing characteristics are not anything to write home about. If you're able to change to solid doors you will find it enhances your room's soundproofing more cheaply than some other alternatives.
PROFESSIONAL SOUNDPROOFING SOLUTIONS BALLYMENA
If the level of sound is excessive in your area, because of heavy traffic on a busy road nearby, or aircraft flying over for instance, then more serious methods to combat the excess noise will have to be explored. The best way to resolve these problems is to get hold of a reliable soundproofing and acoustic company from your local region.
Be prepared to answer the following four questions during an evaluation of your specific soundproofing requirements:
- What are the dimensions of the room or area that needs to be soundproofed?
- What are the specific noises that need to soundproofed? i.e. Is it sounds from within your home such as a music studio or home cinema, or outside noises such as neighbours playing loud music, overflying aircraft, street noise, etc.
- Where is the major source of the sound coming from? i.e. Above, through the floors, windows, doors, ceiling or walls, or a combination of all sorts of things.
- What is the space you wish to soundproof constructed from? (i.e. a brick wall, a stud partition wall or a fully lined concrete wall).
Your answers to these queries will allow you to get estimates for the different solutions available that match your situation. The areas of your room that are causing the biggest noise issues may each need different solutions.
PROFESSIONAL SOUNDPROOFING OF CEILINGS, FLOORS and WALLS
There are 2 key areas that must be addressed to soundproof any room:
- Increase sound absorption.
- Minimise sound amplifying and reverberation.
A site survey is going to be necessary to look at the areas that need to be improved.
A specialist will investigate the different ways to add mass and density to the areas with problems. Soundproofing can be improved by the application of acoustic rubber and foam which will absorb soundwaves and improve and a room's sound quality.
Voids between floor joists may require insulating to eliminate the resonating gap between them. If you think about a drum for example, you're looking at a noise amplifying void enclosed within a resonating material; fundamentally what you might find within ceiling and floor joists, or cavities in walls.
Soundproofing is maximised if multiple layers of varying density materials are used, as opposed to installing only one form of material. This is due to the fact that the various different materials react in different ways with various frequencies and will provide a better overall resolution to your soundproofing exploits.
All soundproofing companies in Ballymena have to follow the legislation for domestic properties set down in the Building Regulations (Part E). This regulation has the aim of protecting other residents in the immediate area from the impact and effect of sound pollution.
Trade associations in the soundproofing sector who provide training, qualifications and guidance are the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) and the Institute of Acoustics (IOA). Only those Ballymena firms that have been vetted and accredited by these associations for quality, professionalism and reliability are permitted to display the logo.
Soundproofing Foam Ballymena
I recently thought I'd have a look at what property owners in Ballymena are searching for with regards to soundproofing, and it seems that when searching on Google and other search engines one of the most commonly types in requests is "soundproofing foam". And on a local basis enquiries include "soundproofing foam Ballymena". That's actually quite interesting, as it illustrates that Ballymena householders are under the impression that acoustic foam products are suitable for solving their noise problems.
The last thing I want to do is ruin your day, but if you're assuming that the din from your noisy neighbours in Ballymena can be reduced with this type of product, you are on the wrong track.
Stopping the transmission of noise is not the function of this familiar "egg box" shaped foam, which was in fact created for use in music studios and similar settings, where it can enhance the sound clarity in a room, and reduce resonation, echoing and amplification. It is not the right solution preventing sound from moving freely around your house, or preventing noise from passing through a wall from a neighbouring property. Soundproofing foam is porous and does not block noise, it absorbs it and lets sound pass through it.
If however, you are building a music room, this could be a handy product for you to use, and can be bought in different thicknesses (usually 25mm and 50mm), and in various sheet and tile sizes.
Acoustic Mineral Wool (AMW)
One of the handiest products available for soundproofing houses in Ballymena, AMW (or acoustic mineral wool) has a range of applications for your noise reduction requirements. Designed specifically for installation in the cavity spaces of floors, walls and ceilings, acoustic mineral wool is effective in improving acoustic performance, dampening vibrations and absorbing sound waves.
AMW typically comes in 1200mm x 600mm slabs and is readily available in thicknesses of 25mm, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm. AMW is often made of recycled materials (around 20%), is non-flammable and is chemically inert. It will not react with any materials or substances that it comes into close contact with (i.e. brickwork, metal wall ties, plastics, masonry), and does not encourage the growth of fungi, bacteria or mould.
Especially effective as a sound absorption filler when installed between stud partitions, suspended ceilings and floor joists, acoustic mineral wool is widely used in the construction sector for fire, thermal and acoustic insulation. When applied together with other soundproofing products, AMW can help in observing The Building Regulations (Part E) when it comes to separating floors and walls.
Acoustic Door Seals
Without acoustic door seals, soundproofing systems in buildings and structures would be incomplete. These seals are specifically designed to decrease noise transmission through doorways, ultimately leading to an improvement in the overall sound insulation of the room or space.
Acoustic door seals are created using a combination of materials, including weatherstripping, foam and rubber, all of which are selected for their unique ability to stop and absorb sound waves. By preventing sound from passing through cracks and gaps in the doorframe, these seals improve the overall sound insulation of a room. To further increase their soundproofing capabilities, certain acoustic door seals include sound-deadening materials, like mass loaded vinyl, in their design. This ensures the seals provide the highest possible protection against unwanted noise.
The efficiency of an acoustic door seal in blocking noise is determined by various elements like its size, shape and installation location. For the best possible sound insulation, it's essential to choose door seals that are made to fit the style of door and the room's intended use. Doors that lead to lecture halls or recording studios, for example, require more sophisticated soundproofing solutions than those that lead to private offices.
For optimal functionality of an acoustic door seal, proper installation is essential. The door seal must be installed without any gaps between it and the door frame, and periodic replacement is essential to retain its soundproofing properties.
Ultimately, acoustic door seals are an efficient way to increase the sound insulation of any room. The right door seals can make a noticeable difference in reducing noise, whether it's in a private office, a lecture hall or a recording studio.
Government Grants for Soundproofing
In the past there have been grants available for help with soundproofing in areas of excessive amounts of noise pollution. Grants were recently offered by the Highways Agency for locations close to busy highways and roads where households were adversely affected by traffic noise. Before you commence any soundproofing work in Ballymena it might be wise to look through the Government portal for compensation schemes and grants that might be currently available. (Tags: Ballymena Soundproofing Grants, Grants for Ballymena Soundproofing, Government Grants)
Soundproofing Near Ballymena
Also find: Cullybackey soundproofing, Glenarm soundproofing, Rasharkin soundproofing, Toomebridge soundproofing, Garvagh soundproofing, Broughshane soundproofing, Maghera soundproofing, Kilrea soundproofing, Moorfields soundproofing, Cloughmills soundproofing, Portglenone soundproofing, Dunloy soundproofing, Kells soundproofing, Gaigorm soundproofing, Bellaghy soundproofing, Gracehill soundproofing services and more. Most of these villages and towns are covered by tradesmen installing soundproofing. Ballymena home and business owners can get estimates by going here.
Ballymena Soundproofing Tasks
There are a whole host of tasks that can be conducted by your local Ballymena soundproofing company including party wall soundproofing, soundproofing doors, soundproofing supplies in Ballymena, soundproof curtains, soundproofing gyms, independent ceiling systems, soundproofing prices, soundproofing advice in Ballymena, noise control Ballymena, basement soundproofing Ballymena, noise reduction services, reduce noise from downstairs, secondary glazing, acoustic treatment, concrete floor soundproofing, soundproofing music rooms, sound insulation, residential soundproofing in Ballymena, soundproofing surveys Ballymena, wall soundproofing Ballymena, echo reducing in Ballymena, underfloor soundplank installations, soundproofing walls from noisy neighbours, vibration control, soundproofing for ceilings in Ballymena, acoustic fencing installation, acoustic membranes in Ballymena, timber floor soundproofing, sound testing, under floor hanger soundproofing, acoustic noise cancelling services, soundproofing consultations, and more. Listed are just a small portion of the duties that are performed by people fitting soundproofing. Ballymena providers will be delighted to keep you abreast of their entire range of services.
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