Living in a noisy neighborhood is every homeowner’s biggest nightmare, and you’re no exception. Imagine coming home after a hectic day at work only to find that you can no longer enjoy the quiet haven you’ve always wanted?
Grab yourself a cup of coffee as I take you through a detailed step by step method on how to make soundproof curtains. They are reliable just like any other noise reducing curtains you’ll find on the market today.
Making Sound Absorbing Curtains
Maybe is your next door neighbor yappy dog, maybe it’s the rush-hour traffic, or perhaps the noise is from within you can block the noise using soundproofed curtains. Below are the materials that you will require:
- Scissors
- Two eyelets
- Cotton thread
- A sewing machine
- Tape measure
- Pins
Step 1
Step 2:
Make sure that you double in the measurement of the width. This is because folds in curtains are effective in sound absorption. So if your window is 9 feet wide, the curtain width should be 18 feet.
Step 3:
Fold the hems with pins and then stitch them into place. Fold over about 2 inches on the bottom and top and nearly a half an inch on the side. Leave the ends of the top hem wide open to make it easier for the rod to pass through. This will allow for easier installation.
Alternatively, you can attach the hems using an adhesive hemming tape. Make sure that you tuck it just under the edge of the hem and use an iron to secure the adhesive tape properly.
Step 5:
Slide the top hem through a curtain rod and hang it on the windows or any other place you want to soundproof.
Tips to consider when designing your sound absorbing curtains
- If you’re going to hang the curtains on the windows, invest on some thick fabric. The rule of thumb when it comes to soundproofing is that, the thick and heavier the material, the more effective it is in blocking unwanted sounds.
- You can stick some Velcro thingies on the side of the sides of your windows to hold your curtains in place when you close them.
- The curtain rod should be at least one inch thick in order to provide support to the thicker and heavier For starters, it’s important to note that some of these standard rods you’ll find on the market today may not hold the weight of these heavy drapes.
- Heavy clothes with pores such as suede or velvet are the most effective in absorbing sounds. The best way to decide on which material is the best is to imagine if the material of your choice is able to soak up water. On the other hand, if you prefer lighter fabric like linen or silk, it’s important to consider using double rod so that you can hand the soundproof curtain underneath the existing curtain. Just make sure the heavier fabric is shorter and in a lighter hue than the existing curtain.
- Remember that velvet and some other fabrics are highly flammable. So keep them off any source of potential fire such as stove, fireplace, candles, heaters and any exposed wires.