Do Soundproof Curtains Really Work?

If the goal is to reduce the sound or noise coming into a room from the several points of entry available, such as windows, walls, and doors, then soundproof curtains will do very little to prevent this.

However, if the goal is to absorb echoes or sound made in a room, or should I say act as a point of reflection, then YES, soundproof curtains will do an excellent job at this.

A sound is said to be “reflected” when the sound coming in hits a hard surface and disperses around the room, hence amplifying its echo properties. This is the reason why the noise in an empty room is louder than the one in a furnished room.

An empty room has lots of hard surfaces a sound will bounce off to be amplified (echo), while a furnished room has soft surfaces that absorb sounds as they hit them.

Another factor to consider is the major type of soundproofing we have which are: sound absorption and sound reduction.

A material is said to fall into the sound reduction category when it does a good job of blocking out sound or noise from entering a room or space. Sadly, soundproof curtains do not fall into this category as you now already know.

Nonetheless, some materials do a very good job of absorbing the sound made in a room, thereby, making the room quieter with less echo made. This is where soundproof curtains shine the most.

This is why you have to be very sure of why you need soundproof curtains before making a purchase.

Are there soundproof curtains?

Yes, some curtains are specifically designed to absorb the noise made in a room, hence the name ‘soundproof curtains’.

These curtains may look like your regular curtains, but their design is what separates them from normal curtains.

Soundproof Curtains are made to run from the top of a ceiling to the floor, and it’s also made to have extended widths than the windows. This helps to provide additional cover to the windows and the wall as well since sound can bounce off walls.

They are also very thick and heavy, especially when compared to your regular curtains.

Are blackout curtains soundproof?

If you are like me and can only sleep comfortably in dark rooms, then blackout curtains are for you. Blackout curtains help to prevent light penetration from outside, thereby creating a darker ambiance even in the presence of heavy sunlight.

However, in terms of being soundproof, they fall into the same category as soundproof curtains–they are good at absorbing sound from within, but not blocking sound from outside.

If you didn’t know better, you could easily mistake a soundproof curtain for a blackout curtain because of how similar they are built. However, one of the key differences is usually in the color. Blackout curtains tend to have darker colors than soundproof curtains.

Medical research has also proven that sleeping with the lights on can harm your health, which is one reason why I had to learn how to sleep with the lights off;

Besides, when you sleep with the lights on, you tend to keep your brain active when it should be resting. This is a major reason why you are more easily awoken when sleeping during the day than at night, and could also be a reason why you sometimes wake up with headaches.

It simply means your brain was quite active when it should be resting.

Are soundproof curtains effective?

Yes, soundproof curtains are very effective in absorbing echoes from a room. However, they don’t do a very good job of blocking noise coming into a room.

The only place they fall short is when it comes to sound reduction or sound blockage from the outside. For this to be successful, soundproof curtains would require certain physical properties that they just don’t have. Simply put, they are limited.

Nonetheless, soundproof curtains will always spice up the interior decor of a room amongst other benefits you are unlikely to find in a regular curtain. I guess it’s fair to call it a win-win.

Also Read: Does cotton absorb sound?

What are soundproof curtains made of?

The material composition of soundproof curtains may differ based on the company manufacturer, but based on the research I conducted, soundproof curtains are made with certain materials that include crushed limestone, vinyl, and PVC.

It is the proper blend of these materials that’s responsible for the heavy nature of soundproof curtains.

As I stated, this doesn’t apply to all soundproof curtains out there, but the materials stated above are more likely to be used than not.

How to get the best out of soundproof curtains?

Even if soundproof curtains are great at sound absorption, they’ll need your help to get the most out of them.

The reason is simple: soundproof curtains cannot cover every area of your room, especially the large ones. As a result of this shortcoming, hard wall surfaces will still be exposed, that does not even mention the ceiling and floor.

Try doing the below to get the best out of your soundproof curtains as regards sound absorption.

Invest in soft furniture

Soft furniture will help in sound absorption. Furniture like cushions and throw pillows will help clear up echoes in a room, leaving very little work for soundproof curtains.

For chairs and other cushions, however, you have to be mindful of the surface. A cushion with a hard surface like leather will largely defeat the purpose of absorbing sound because they reflect sound instead.

On the other hand, cotton surfaces or something similar will do a very good job of allowing sound penetration.

Use rugs

Rugs that cover every inch of a room will help in sound absorption on the floor. This means that even if the sound hits the floor, rather than reflecting and causing echo disturbance, it absorbs most of it.

If you have a carpet in place of rugs, you can decide to pad it up with foam, but the surface of the carpet might be a challenge. Regardless, it’s a good place to start.

Bookshelves

The moment I enter a room and find a bookshelf, I tend to act in a reserved manner. I don’t know why, but it has happened to me a lot. Bookshelves are good sound absorbers, as well as sound blockers too if placed in the right place such as walls.

The shelf isn’t the only item responsible for the soundproofing, the book is as well. That’s not to mention the many benefits owning a bookshelf brings to your home.

Artworks

Hanging artworks are also beneficial to sound absorption, especially low-frequency sound. Since most frames are made of wood, artworks help a great deal in not just beautifying a room but also making it serene.

You don’t have to be an art lover to be interested, and I’m sure you’ll get to love having them on your wall when you eventually do.

Mattress

If you stay in a single room, your mattress will come in handy for sound absorption, thereby, making your room less echo-friendly. Your sleeping pillows will also help as well. That’s not to even mention the blanket and other clothing items you have

FAQs

How much are soundproof curtains?

Soundproof Curtains can cost around $20 upwards, but if you want something with more quality and durability, then get ready to spend around $100. All in all, it depends on your budget. The more you are willing to spend, the better for you.

Are there curtains that block out noise?

Anyone who tells you some curtains blocks out noise is only trying to make a sale and nothing more. Soundproof curtains do not effectively block out noise in the actual sense, rather, I can categorically tell you that there are curtains that do a very good job of absorbing noise.

Can an air curtain block sound?

Based on research that was carried out on link.springer.com, air curtains were said to block sound, especially those made from bighead carp.

Should you shut all curtains at night?

In terms of light penetration, it is advisable to shut your curtains at night to help you have better sleep, and that’s not even mentioning the privacy it gives you. However, if the weather is hot like we have in summer, then you should consider opening it to enable you to breathe fresh air.

Conclusion –

Do Soundproof Curtains Really Work? I’ll consider soundproof curtains a must-have because of the many benefits they bring to a room. If you have more comments or suggestions on this topic, kindly let me know in the comment section. Cheers.

Do Soundproof Curtains Really Work? – Here’s The Truth