What Does Sound Dampening Mean?

26 May 2023

Noise traveling to and from rooms can be distracting when trying to work, read, or enjoy some peace and quiet.

It can be hard to focus on what you are trying to do when you can hear music blaring, a loud television, or children screaming through the walls, not to mention a million other potential distractions.

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce sound transmitted through the walls, which can be invaluable when preventing sound transfer inside or outside a room. Felt Right has a unique way to achieve this. Depending on the materials you use for this procedure, you can obstruct more or less sound, even blocking the transmission of sound waves entirely, if you choose.

What is Sound Dampening?

Sound dampening is installing materials within a home, vehicle, or other location to absorb, reflect, or diffuse sound. This reduces the amount of noise that passes through and can also improve a room’s acoustics, which is why sound dampening is also known as “acoustic treatment.” It is a significant reason that recording studios make use of this technique.

Sound dampening can eliminate approximately 80% of the sound transfer, meaning that you can prepare a room for studying, work, hobbies, or mental health.

However, there is just enough sound to hear if there is an emergency in another room or someone yells for you. This is especially ideal if you have children in the house or others who may need your attention so that you can focus on what you are doing while still being accessible to others if required.

If you need even greater solitude, one option is to soundproof a room similar to sound dampening but endeavors to block any sound infiltration whatsoever completely. However, this process is far more intensive and to prove entirely successful generally requires planning in architectural design before room construction to ensure complete soundproofing.

What Materials Work Best for Sound Dampening?

When you sound dampen locations, you must decide which materials you wish to use. Different materials can prove effective to different degrees; some are external solutions, while others require installation within the walls or other surfaces.

Keep in mind if air can pass into an area, so can sound. For best results, address windows, spaces between and under doors, and other airflow conduits. No matter how effective your sound-dampening materials are, if air passes freely through such openings, you will have more noise.

Felt Tiles

One of the easiest methods for sound dampening is through the use of felt tiles. These panels have an adhesive back designed not to damage walls or paint, creating a plug-and-play solution. Felt tiles are versatile, coming in various shapes, sizes, and colors, so they are excellent choices if you wish to snazzy up the interior design of your room and enjoy the benefits of the felt’s sound-dampening qualities.

Choosing felt tile designs to match your taste or set a professional tone can be invaluable when creating a relaxing atmosphere or environment conducive to work. A soothing, welcome decor has proven effective in improving mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. Having an attractive backdrop during work video calls provides an air of credibility to a home office space. In either situation, the reduced noise permeation is invaluable.

Polyurethane Foams

These polymer foams come in rolls or sheets and can serve as a suitable sound-dampening barrier, particularly when reducing high-frequency noises. However, low-frequency sounds are more likely to penetrate if the foam is not sufficiently thick, so keep this in mind if you want more effective noise reduction.

Also, be aware that polyurethane foams are flammable, so only place them in areas where they will not be susceptible to open flames or other fire risks. As a result of this quality, this type of sound dampening should be for home use in fire-safe locations rather than used in an industry setting, where there is a greater risk of inflammation.

Polyester Fibers

These dense materials are excellent for sound dampening in industrial settings or other noisy areas. They work best on high-frequency sounds and are often lauded for their strength and durability, making them incredibly resistant to general wear and tear and fire. Plus, it is a lightweight material, which makes it easier to transport and install.

Cork

This porous material is surprisingly effective as it can trap a significant quantity of air, which means it can catch sounds and convert them to vibrations, effectively deadening noise. Cork is effective even in thin sheets, and the material is incredibly lightweight. Furthermore, it is an accessible material to install and can be purchased in tile forms for easy customization.

Mass-loaded Vinyl

A popular choice because it is one of the least expensive sound-dampening options, mass-loaded vinyl is explicitly intended for sound dampening. It is easy to find and acquire this material, but remember that the denser the material, the more effective it will be. Mass-loaded vinyl does not have much elasticity, so it forms a solid barrier that sounds waves have trouble passing through.

Green Glue, Gaps, and Spaces

Remember that sound can pass through any space air can, so for better sound dampening, you need to find spaces where air can pass through, such as cracks or gaps within the walls. Green glue is an excellent choice for filling holes, blocking airflow, and reducing the noise that can enter (or exit) the room.

For areas you will not want to seal, such as windows, you can find sound-reducing curtains that can serve as sound dampening, combatting unwanted outdoor sounds such as those from traffic, industries, and neighbors.

For doors, sound dampening can be as simple as placing a blanket against the gap beneath. Alternatively, you can install a door stop, soundproofing rubber, or acoustic panels to block sound from entering.

The Bottom Line

When you want to keep from traveling in or out of a room, one of the most effective ways to reduce sound is to find appropriate materials that function as sound-dampening agents, placed along walls and wherever there are gaps or cracks in which sound can pass. Proper sound dampening can create an atmosphere conducive to work or relaxation or prevent televisions, music, musical instruments, and other loud forms of recreation from disturbing others.

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Arnab

Arnab is a professional blogger, having an enormous interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, He carries out sharing sentient blogs.

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7 Ways to Clean Blocked Drains in Your Home

The drains in your home really do take a lot of abuse. Not only are things sometimes accidentally flushed down toilets and drains, but they also naturally collect all of the dust, hair, and whatever else is in the air. Over time, your pipes are bound to get clogged at some point.Clean Blocked Drains cxan make things work for you in all the aspects. Of course, a plumber can clear out a clog in a snap. But, here are seven things that you can try on your own first without using harsh chemicals which could harm your pipes. 7 Ways to Clean Blocked Drains in Your Home: 1. Find the clog: It might not be that deep. In a toilet, it's generally somewhere in the base. And, in sinks, it's often in the trap underneath it where hair and other debris will settle. There are a few different tools that you can use to attack the clog from the outside of the drain. Trap cleaner: You can find one at your local hardware store. It's usually made of plastic and is about the length of your arm. It has ridges along the sides and is designed to fit inside of your drain. You can use it to fish out anything that might be clogging the trap. Drain snake: It's the same idea as the trap cleaner, only it's longer and has a hose that rolls up, so it can get to clogs that may be deeper inside of the drains. Wire coat hanger: In a pinch? Just grab a wire coat hanger, unwind it, fashion it into a long hook, and use it to clear the trap. 2. Use a plunger: It's a basic home necessity for toilets. And, it can also be used for sinks. All you need is a solid suction and you may get the same results on a sink drain that you would with a toilet. In a sink, it might help to have a little standing water while you are plunging. 3. Dish Detergent: You can use it in toilets and sink drains. Pour it straight down the drain or into the toilet, about a quarter of a cup. The detergent will settle on the clog, and start to break it down. Let it sit for a few hours, run some hot water, and try plunging. The soap is sometimes strong enough to break up the clog. 4. Boiling Water: This would be more effective for a sink drain. Pouring boiling water directly down the drain could break up the clog. You could add boiling water, wait a few minutes, try plunging, and repeat the process a couple of times, if necessary. Just make sure the water isn't still boiling while you are plunging to protect yourself from any scalding. 5. Use a wet/dry vac: Wet/dry vacs are great for many purposes, including clearing clogs in your drain. If the clog isn't too deep, you can use it to either pull the clog out or push it down the drain. It's a good idea to try to pull it out first to remove the clog from your plumbing system. But, sometimes pushing it will also clear the clog and allow it to drain. 6. Clean the trap: If you are dealing with a clogged sink, you can usually access the trap underneath the drain. Most likely, that's where the clog will be. If you're handy with home repairs, here's a quick how-to. You'll need a plumber's wrench. Have a bucket underneath to catch the water. Unscrew the fittings on the top and bottom of the trap. Remove the trap and clean it out. An old toothbrush is perfect. Clean out the surrounding pipes. Put it back together. A plumbing company such as Red Dog knows all about unblocking drains so if you are not confident taking apart the pipes in the drain, it may be worth hiring a professional. 7. DIY Clog-removing Recipes: You may actually have a few things in your pantry that can be used to clear up clogged drains. Here a few different ideas that you can try before calling a plumber. Mix salt and baking soda: Combine equal parts of salt and baking soda, maybe a half-cup of each. Pour it directly into the clogged drain, and let it sit for a few minutes. The salt and baking soda will settle on the clog and start to eat away at parts of it. Then, pour boiling water down the drain. If there is standing water in the sink, you can also include plunging the drain in the process to get things moving around. Combine baking soda and vinegar: Mix together equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda, maybe a half-cup of each. Stand over the sink when you mix them. The reaction of the two substances will result in an almost immediate fizz. Pour everything down the drain. This one is best to let sit for a few hours or overnight. Afterward, try rinsing the drain with hot water. Sodium Hydroxide: More commonly known as caustic soda, you can find it at your local hardware store if you don't already have it on hand. You will mix 3 cups of soda with about a gallon of water. The mixture will get warmer and begin to fizz. Pour all of it directly into the drain. Wait for a half-hour or so, and pour boiling water down the drain. If it seems a little better, but still draining slowly, you can repeat the process. Unfortunately, some clogs are either too deep or too intense for any of these home remedies. If you've tried everything, and you just can't seem to get that clog cleared on your own, give Brisbane Drain Cleaning by Conrad Martens a call today. Our team of dedicated service professionals will quickly assess your individual circumstances and easily get your drains cleared. Let us show you have we've built our reputation of providing dependable service focused on quality of workmanship to the entire Brisbane area since 1982. Read Also: 8 Plumbing Myths Busted 3 Reasons Why Business Organizations Need To Get The Drains Cleaned Regularly

Roofing Painting Contractor Leads: Ask Before Hiring One

Are the shingles of your roof starting to get loose? Or perhaps the entire roof itself is in need of a fresh paint job but you can’t do it yourself? For roofing and painting contractors in your area – especially those working alongside a lead generation firm like Ippei Leads – anything you want them to do to your roof is a blessing as it means yet another business opportunity. But before hiring one to fix or repaint your roof, here are four questions you might want to ask them first: 1. Can they meet your roofing needs no matter what type your roof is? The roofing and painting contractor you want to hire should be able to service these two major types of roofs: Residential roofing, which is typically easier to repair and repaint Commercial roofing, whose massive size and lower slope make fixing and repainting it more challenging yet profitable at the same time If the roof of your place of business is leaky, for example, and the contractor you talked to doesn’t have any experience with fixing commercial roofing, you shouldn’t hire them since they most likely wouldn’t know how to tackle the said problem. Also, if you need to have the whole roof of your house replaced with a brand new one, and the contractor you contacted hasn’t dealt with residential roofing before, you should skip them lest you want them to install an oversized one that’s more suitable for commercial use. 2. Do they have the license to operate as a roofing and painting contractor? Aside from their knowledge of both residential and commercial roofs, the roofing and painting contractor you plan on hiring should have a license to operate, most especially in the following states where it’s a requirement: Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Florida Hawaii Idaho Illinois Louisiana Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Nevada New Mexico North Carolina (but only if the roofing job will cost you at least $30,000) RhodeIsland South Carolina Utah Virginia If you reside or run a commercial building in any of these states, and the contractor couldn’t show you an authenticated copy of their statewide license, don’t hire them. 3. Do they have both liability and workers’ compensation insurance? The roofing and painting contractor you want to hire may know the difference between a residential and commercial roof. They may also have the license to operate in the state where you reside or do business. But aside from these, you should ask them upfront if they’ve got the following two types of insurance that will shoulder them financially in case of any mishap during the roof repair or repainting job: Liability insurance: There’s no telling when a contractor’s worker may accidentally drop a rusty nail or any tools on top of your (or your customer’s) head while doing the job or someone suddenly passes out after smelling the noxious fumes emitted by the paint. It’s important for the contractor to have liability insurance so their insurer can cover some or all of the medical expenses resulting from an injury during the repair or repainting job. Workers’ compensation insurance: Even if you or anyone else not connected to the contractor you hired didn’t sustain any injuries at all, a worker of theirs might suddenly get caught in a slip and fall accident while fixing or repainting your roof. The contractor should secure a workers’ compensation insurance so financial assistance can be provided to cover their crew’s medical costs and lost wages until the said person is physically capable of working for them again. It’s also a big plus if the roofing and painting contractor also carries commercial vehicle insurance aside from the two mentioned above to protect the cars, trucks, or vans that they use to do their job. 4. Do they have a contract prepared for you? As evident in their name, a roofing and painting contractor should show you a contract before repairing or repainting your roof. The said document should be legally binding and must contain the following: A detailed description of the repair or repainting job the contractor will do to your roof Breakdown of materials they’ll use for the roof repair or repainting job The estimated total cost of the said job Dates when they'll fix or repaint your roof A warranty of at least one to two years wherein you can have any part of your roof replaced if ever they accidentally damage it while fixing or repainting it A termination clause wherein the contract itself could become null and void if either you or the contractor violates any of its terms and conditions Don’t hire a roofing or painting contractor who plans to take on fixing or repainting your roof with only a handshake or verbal agreement to seal the deal. Conclusion: Roofing and painting contractors in America have been experiencing an upward profit margin growth since 2014. No wonder then that there are several of them as of late. But you can’t afford to get stuck with one who might do a sloppy job of fixing or repainting your roof which can lead to further problems down the road for you. So, before hiring a roofing and painting contractor for your roof, you should ask them first the four questions listed above to avoid any regrets on your end. Read Also: 5 Myths About Roofing Services To Avoid Professional Roofing Services And Different Decorating Styles

Important Things to Transport during a Relocation

Moving to a new house means a lot of packing and transporting. If you are someone who owns a lot of items, then you are going to have to spend a considerable amount of time sorting your belongings out. Even though this process might seem a bit tedious, you need to do it properly. If you are not careful enough, your belongings can easily get damaged or misplaced. When moving these items, the following are some things that you need to pay extra attention to. Antiques and Valuables As you may already know, these kinds of items not only have a significant monetary worth but also tend to have emotional value too. So, you have to make sure that they are transported safely. It is best to keep these kind of valuable items together. Try to put them in the same boxes so that it will be easier when you unpack. If you are concerned about the safety of certain items, it is best to speak to the moving agency beforehand to raise your concerns. This way, you will know that they will be extra careful during the moving process. Vehicles If you are moving halfway across the country, then you might definitely not want to drive the vehicle to your house all by yourself. If you have to drive far, it is best to hire a professional to do it since you might be already tired and sleepy. So, you need to find companies that offer car transport from Sydney to Darwin. This way, you will be able to make sure that your vehicle will be moved to the new house by a reliable third party. This will enable you to travel to your new home in peace. Furniture When it comes to furniture, there is going to be a lot of items that you will have to sort out. In this case, it is best to use professional help. The first thing that you need to do is to make sure that all items are packed in a proper manner. For example, the edges of the tables and other furniture need to be covered so that they will not get damaged easily. If you do not do the packing properly, they can definitely get scratched or dented. So, if you do not know how to do it, it is best to hire a professional. Moreover, when you load the furniture to the truck, make sure to position them in a safe and smart manner. Read More : What Species Of Wood Is Right For Your Wine Cellar Furniture? 5 Innovative Ideas To Lend Your Bedroom With More Space Home Decor Is An Art Itself – Things To Know 5 Perfect Ways To Create Size Illusion In Room With Home Accessories Kitchen Appliances Another important thing that is susceptible to damage is kitchenware. Things such as mugs, plates and other cutlery items can easily break or crack. So, you need to make sure that they are properly packed and placed in the truck. Do not keep them right at the bottom of the pile as they will be more susceptible to damage down there. Placing heavy items on top of such vulnerable items is not a smart thing to do. Labelling the boxes with such items will also help the moving professionals to be extra careful with them. Read More : Installing A Kitchen Tile Splashback – The Basics Apart from these, there are also other belongings that you need to be concerned about. This includes your books, office items, clothes and even your plants from the garden. Think about the individual needs of each of these categories to make sure that they will be transported in a safe and efficient manner.

What Does Sound Dampening Mean?

What is Sound Dampening?