Creating a soundproof working environment

A working environment for maximum focus

Today’s guest post is by Debbie Henderson, on cutting out noise nuisance for a peaceful working environment:

There are some great examples of home offices on this blog that highlight the range of home offices that are set up but one of the many good reasons to work from home is to gain a quiet, calm working environment. The open plan office layout that’s so common today can be extremely distracting when it comes to getting your head down and concentrating.

You’d think that working from home would automatically be peaceful and quiet, but as many people have found, it’s not always the case! Noise from neighbours, traffic noise, or people or pets crashing around your house can put a dampener on any concentration levels you’ve managed to find.

So when you’re setting up your work area, along with considering all the other factors that make it work for you, have a think about possible soundproofing options. Contrary to popular belief, it actually doesn’t have to cost very much to soundproof either your home or your office with some simple products and techniques.

Two ways to soundproof your working environment
Sound is made up of low frequency waves, similar to radio waves. They keep travelling until they meet a form of resistance – a wall or some furniture for instance. So, there are two ways to reduce any noise. You can either reduce the noise by blocking the passage of sound waves with objects or by implementing certain materials to absorb the noise.

Doing it yourself
It’s totally possible to effectively soundproof the room you’re planning to work in, without the need for any workmen. Plenty of places online sell the materials you’ll need.

As you’re looking to stop noise from entering the room and interfering with your workspace, you’ll be looking for some kind of insulation liner, like Latex Sound Insulation Liner. (A useful site both for information and products is Cover Your Wall in the UK).

It’s the perfect kind of DIY product and works well on walls and ceilings. It gives really good protection against lower frequency sounds such as the human voice. Made of technically advanced micro cell latex foam, it’s also easy to paint straight on to.

Problem areas for sound entering your house
Obviously windows are pretty big culprits and single paned windows are the worst. Upgrading to double glazing can reduce your noise levels by around 20%, and if you choose double glazed with acrylic frames, this can reduce noise levels by up to 50%.

If you don’t want to do that then you can invest in heavy curtains. It is possible to get very heavy sound-deadening curtains that would work out cheaper than upgrading your windows.

Some quick fix extra tips

• Attack noise at the source – use rubber or cork under the legs of heavy appliances.
• Always have stereo speakers on stands or off the floor to prevent turning your room into an amplifier.
• Try and have at least 25% absorbent materials in every room – things like curtains, carpets, furniture, drapes – these help to dampen sound a lot.

Now make sure you have everything you need to equip your workspace and you’re good to go – the most peaceful working environment possible!