Soundproofing materials mainly minimize vibrations in a room to reduce echoes. Soundproofing curtains are one of them. But these curtains do not completely remove the decibel level of sound. Sound-absorbing curtains are a simple addition that helps reduce excessive noise, but they are not a complete solution.
A sound reduction curtain can reduce a good amount of noise in a room. It is essential to know how to make soundproofing curtains. In this article, we will learn how to do it.
Making Soundproofing Curtains: Proper Steps
Making a soundproof curtain is not impossible. To create this, all you need is a needle, thread, meter stick, or any other distance-measuring equipment, such as scissors.
The material that someone chooses for making the sound-absorbing curtain mainly depends on the quality of their purchasing curtains. Choose polyester, suede, or velvet curtains soundproofed with fabric if you want the best soundproofing material. These fabrics are good because they have more fibers. In this case, thermal insulated curtains are also a good option. So, here we cannot ignore the necessity of soundproofing fabric for curtains.
Essential Materials for Soundproofing Curtains
The following elements are the supplies that you need to build sound-absorbing curtains. These elements can also be used to make DIY sound-absorbing curtains. If we talk about DIY soundproof curtains, that means someone can make a sound-absorbing curtain on their own. And his purpose is to make DIY acoustic curtains.
- The chosen size of fabric should be equal in size, width, and length.
- The synthetic material should be 2 cm wide and 2 cm shorter than the fabric.
- To hang your drapes, you’ll need two hooks.
- Cotton
- Tape
- Pin
- Scissors
- Chalk for dressmakers
- Sewing machine
4 Steps to Make Your Soundproof Curtains
Step 1: Measurement is the very first step to making soundproof curtains. By measuring the height and width, anyone can cover the entire window area of their room. When a curtain covers a whole window, only then can the room be quiet.
Moreover, the curtains must reach the floor if you wish to cover a sliding glass or a floor-to-ceiling window. And it’s alright to add an extra inch or two to get a better outcome.
The quantity of area covered by a soundproof curtain actually affects the curtain’s usefulness. For example, a user can add two more inches to his curtain fabric’s top and bottom edges if he wants a properly finished curtain.
Step 2: More folds can help a curtain become wider. By increasing the width measurement, someone may make it twice as wide. Include extra folds in the curtain to obtain a more practical setup. In addition, it will absorb more outside noise. Such as, for a 4 ft. window, the fabric should be 8 ft.
Step 3: Fold and stitch is the third step. Using pins, fold the extra fabric and sew them in with a needle and thread. When folding, make sure the top and bottom edges are more than 2 inches apart, and the sides are half an inch apart. Keep a hole at the top of the curtain so that the rod can enter.
If someone is not interested in sewing stitches, they can use sticky sewing tape to attach the fabric. In this process, place the fabric under the hem edge, then use an iron to seal the tape.
Step 4: And then hanging the soundproof curtain is the last step. Use a stable rod to hang the curtain properly. And make sure the curtain covers the whole window.
Benefits of Soundproof curtains
Apart from the capability of noise cancellation. These curtains can create a quieter atmosphere in houses, apartments, or offices. But these noise-reducing curtains have some advantages.
- Protects home from excessive light
- Extra layers of fabrics can give good service in both hot and cold weather.
- Easy to install
- Can reduce sound as much as possible
Negative Effects of Soundproof Curtains
Soundproof curtains have several drawbacks. Such as noise reduction windows, which are more effective because of their thick, heavy nature, are difficult to transport, install, wash and maintain.
They can also make primary living spaces far too dark for comfort, limiting the number of rooms in which they can be put unless someone is ready to pay higher power bills and sacrifice natural light. This is especially problematic for those who want a soundproof environment during the day. They usually require quiet and natural light to improve their mood. But that is not possible. Because a soundproof curtain won’t function as well until it’s totally shutting out all light.
Essential tips on how to make a soundproofing curtain
Before installing the soundproofing drape, a user should know some tips. Such as, instead of two panels, buying four for each window can affect the density and the more panels you can put into the room or windows. It will become more soundproof.
Moreover, make sure you choose 96-inch-long drapes rather than 84-inch-long curtains. As a result, you’ll have floor-to-ceiling drapes, especially if your ceiling is 8 inches high. And lastly, use a ceiling mount to keep your curtain close to the ceiling.
FAQ
Do Noise-Cancelling Curtains Actually Work?
A soundproof curtain can make a significant difference in the noise effect. While the curtains will not prevent sound, you can add more soundproofing materials to the curtains as per your preference.
How Do I Pick a Soundproof Curtain of Good Quality?
Quality does not matter. The most important thing to remember is that soundproof curtains should cover the whole window because it will ensure that your curtain folds produce a sufficient seal around the surface of your window.
“Soundproof” curtains are produced at home. Will they have an impact?
Yes, if a random curtain cannot satisfy you, then DIY is the best option. Users should choose velvet or thick cotton fabric with numerous layers for the most pleasing appearance. For example, heavy acoustic curtains comprise two layers of thick cloth sewed together at the hem. But they are costly.
Bottom line
To conclude, these curtains are not to keep a window soundproof all the time. But they are still an effective way to reduce noise at a low cost. The basic steps of installing a sound-absorbing curtain outlined in this article will show you how to make soundproof curtains to suppress noise.
