WHY IS MY HOME SO NOISY?

September 11, 2023

Are you residing on or in close proximity to a major road in Ireland? Do you frequently find yourself subjected to the sounds of traffic, neighbors, birds, music, or other disturbances from the external environment? Opting to reside in densely populated areas often entails contending with persistent noise pollution, which can become considerably disruptive to your daily life at home.

Have you ever pondered over how all that clamor manages to infiltrate your living space? Several factors come into play, but the primary culprit for allowing external noise to seep in is often the selection of subpar windows and doors. If tranquility is what you seek, conducting thorough research and choosing noise-resistant windows and doors could result in a much more peaceful living environment.

Soundproofing is progressively gaining importance in residential properties and should be a pivotal consideration when selecting land, constructing a new home, or renovating an existing property. If your aspiration is to reside in a home free from excessive external noise, we have some tips and techniques for you to contemplate before committing to any significant property decisions or upgrades.

Not only should windows and doors effectively block external noise, but what if you happen to be that one noisy neighbor everyone in the neighborhood talks about? You might wish to have the freedom to create as much noise as you desire, keeping your drumming, shower singing, and late-night escapades a private affair.

To adhere to Irish building standards, new homes are obliged to meet specific acoustic ratings, and compliance with these standards holds great significance for both builders and homeowners.

The Property

Your home is meticulously designed to shield you from various undesirable external elements, including noise. The walls, foundations, and roof collaborate to create a protective barrier against anything that could prove detrimental or bothersome. Concerning the windows and doors in your home, their quality and placement can significantly impact the insulation of your property in terms of acoustics.

Design Considerations

If you’re contemplating additional acoustic protection for your property and are exploring ways to reduce noise, there are some crucial design principles you can adhere to in order to minimize the ingress of unwanted noise into your home:

1. Consider the positioning of your property: The placement of your windows within the home can have a substantial impact on the amount of sound that permeates the property. If you’re designing a new home, meticulously plan the layout while taking external noise sources into account.
2. Assess the quality of seals on your windows and doors: High-quality seals for your windows and doors are recommended to shield your home from unwanted noise. Even having high-quality windows can be rendered ineffective if the seals are not of a similar standard.
3. Prioritise maintenance: Conduct regular maintenance on your windows and doors; consistent use and the accumulation of dirt around seals, locks, and handles can lead to wear and ineffectiveness, resulting in more external noise infiltrating your home.
4. Ensure professional installation: Poorly measured and installed windows and doors can create gaps that allow noise to seep into your home. Ensure that you choose a reputable fabricator for the design, production, measurement, and installation of your windows.

If you’re contemplating noise reduction and considering new windows for your home or commercial property, Sean Doyle Windows possesses substantial expertise and experience. For over 4 decades, we have been engaged in the design, manufacture, and retrofitting of aluminum window systems across Ireland. We are here to assist you! Feel free to explore some of our recent projects by visiting our showroom or contacting our team of experts for a discussion regarding your window and door supply or installation needs.