Create Your Own Sanctuary of Silence

Noise is around us all the time and it can be hard to find a quiet moment. So why not create your own peaceful sanctuary by soundproofing your home?

If you’re planning to renovate, start with special attention to the insulation. First think about where you want, or need, the most undisturbed peace in your home, and begin there. This will be the spot for your sanctuary of silence.

Stone wool insulation is the top choice used in professional recording studios, so you can’t get much better material than that as a sound dampener for your home. It is an excellent acoustic barrier that actually absorbs the sound instead of leaving it to bounce around between walls. This is due in part to its non-directional fibre structure and density. For homeowners, retailers recommend a performance-tested product called, Roxul Safe ‘n’ Sound mineral wool insulation. It provides higher sound absorption against low frequency (bass) ranges that other types of insulation struggle to block.

To maximize sound absorbency, follow these tips:

• Because sound will travel through ductwork, insulate around it where possible and avoid back-to-back duct openings.

• Use an acoustical caulking or neoprene strip between the baseplate of the wall and the floor.

• If using pot lights, use certified insulating boxes that allow Safe ‘n’ Sound to be maximized around them.

Immediately after insulating, you will get increased comfort and calm in your home by minimizing the sounds of the television, video games, music, appliances, hobbies, and of any conversation that travels throughout the house. By soundproofing a room it means that the sound is confined to that particular space, leaving the rest of your home undisturbed and your life, uninterrupted.

by Scott McGillivray

Scott McGillivray is the award-winning TV host of the HGTV hit series Income Property, a full-time real estate investor, contractor, author, and educator. Follow him on Twitter @smcgillivray.

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