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Juliewells
02-09-2009, 01:02 AM
Soundproofing is any means of reducing the sound pressure with respect to a specified sound source and receptor. There are several basic approaches to reducing sound: increasing the distance between source and receiver, using noise barriers to block or absorb the energy of the sound waves, using damping structures such as sound baffles, or using active antinoise sound generators.

Soundproofing affects sound in two different ways:

1. Noise reduction

2. Noise absorption

Noise reduction simply blocks the passage of sound waves through the use of distance and intervening objects in the sound path. Noise absorption operates by transforming the sound wave.

Noise absorption involves suppressing echoes, reverberation, resonance and reflection.

Residential soundproofing aims to decrease the effects of exterior noise. The main focus of residential soundproofing in existing structures is the windows. Curtains can be used to dampen sound either through use of heavy materials or through the use of air chambers known as honeycombs. Single, double and triple honeycomb designs achieve relatively greater degrees of soundproofing. The primary soundproofing limiter of curtains is the lack of a seal at the edge of the curtain. Double-pane windows achieve somewhat greater soundproofing than single pane windows, but the increase in soundproofing with higher energy efficiency windows is primarily due to the better seals on double-pane than single pane windows. Significant noise reduction can be achieved by installing a second interior window. In this case the exterior window remains in place while a slider or hung window is installed within the same wall opening. Soundproofing can be further increased by installing a sound barrier curtain, such as the honeycomb curtains, between the exterior and interior windows. Soundproof Window will reduce noise levels by 75-95%.