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If you are a mooo-sician craving peace for your next masterpiece or a homeowner wanting to enjoy a quiet evening, we have tips and tricks to help you create your own Tinseltown tranquility. Here is our guide to soundproofing LA so you can have peace and quiet in the City of Angels.
Unique Los Angeles Soundproofing Challenges
Los Angeles may be the second-largest city in the U.S., but it holds the top spot as the noisiest city in the country. The metropolis is a melting pot of sounds. The vibrating thrum of traffic or roar of construction is more than an irritation. Repeated exposure to noise over 70 dBA can impact physical and mental health. As an Angeleno, you may be all too familiar with these sounds:
- Airport noise: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) brings visitors from all over the world. Noisy airplanes are a major issue, affecting communities and businesses along flight paths. The LAX Residential Sound Insulation Program (RSI) aims to insulate nearby homes.
- Traffic: Los Angeles’ many congested roads and freeways cause a constant high-decibel hum. The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics created an interactive map showing citywide noise levels.
- Entertainment: “The Entertainment Capital of the World” earned its nickname for good reason. Music venues, recording studios, nightclubs and street performers create an overwhelming outburst of sound.
- Construction sounds: Ongoing development projects cause noise and vibration that echoes around the city.
- Emergency vehicles: Wailing sirens and whirring police helicopters are a major source of noise.
- Architecture: LA has various architectural styles. Many older buildings and apartments lack sound insulation to help reduce unwanted noise.
Soundproofing Los Angeles Residences
Homeowners and landlords who want a calm and soundproof abode must battle the many urban sounds. The best way to defend against noise is by creating a barrier. Here are some tips to do just that:
Defend Against Door Noise
If a sound wave wants to enter your home, it will come in through the front door. Gaps around doors provide the perfect shortcut for noise to get through. A Quiet Door™ Automatic Door Sweep stops sound from entering a space by creating a snug fit against the bottom of the door.
When noise hits a barrier, it will try to go around it. Eliminate any gaps around the door with a Quiet Door™ Adjustable Perimeter Seal. This easy-to-install seal protects your home from noise while reducing airflow. You enjoy a quieter environment and better thermal performance! Finish off by sealing edges with OSI® Pro-Series SC-175 Acoustical Sound Sealant.
Wall off Sound Waves
Soundproofing your walls stops outside noise from entering and inside noise from escaping. First, get creative with interior design. Soft furnishings like curtains, rugs or sofas can absorb sound waves. For a more powerful solution, try these techniques:
- Decouple your wall: Decoupling means separating two parts of a wall with a gap between them. This method stops sound transmission and vibration. Use resilient clips with a hat channel to create a double or staggered stud wall.
- Add sound insulation: After decoupling your wall, fill the remaining cavities with Quiet® Batt Soundproofing Insulation. The material adds density to reduce sound energy.
- Install a super system: An isoTRAX® Soundproofing System includes sound-deadening pads and decoupling rails. Place the system over your barrier layer for more soundproofing power.
- Mount acoustic panels: Insert fire-rated Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Panels between the rails. You can also hang art acoustic panels on the wall for soundproofing that functions as decor.
Remember to seal any gaps or cracks with acoustical sealant!
Use the Force on Noisy Floors
The simplest way to reduce sound is by using thick carpets or rugs with a layer of padding underneath. These materials can absorb sound waves. Installing underlayment is an effective but more complicated fix. This technique works best for new construction or renovations because you need subfloor access. It involves placing underlayment between the top and subfloor layers.
If you can reach your subfloor, use PROFLEX™ 90 underlayment for stone, tile or hardwood floors. For carpet, laminate or concrete flooring, opt for Impact Barrier QT Flooring Underlayment. As a bonus, these underlayments protect your floors and extend their life spans!
Reduce Ceiling Sounds
Check out these tricks for soundproofing ceilings in LA:
- Create a drop ceiling: Hang a second ceiling from an isolation solution, like the isoTRAX® Soundproofing System. Then, use both Quiet Batt® Soundproofing Insulation and Quiet Barrier® Soundproofing Material. This noise-cancelling superteam eliminates vibrations while trapping sound energy. Finish it all off with an acoustical sealant. If you have a suspended ceiling, replacing it with drywall using the isoTRAX® Soundproofing System would be advantageous.
- Use acoustical tiles: You could also swap your standard ceiling tiles for acoustical. Try any of our wide variety of sound absorbent acoustc panels to absorb sound waves and redirect them back to the source.
Soundproofing Los Angeles, CA Commercial Spaces
As a commercial property owner, creating a welcoming environment benefits your tenants and your bottom line. Here’s how to invite calm:
Create a Quiet Office
Whether it is the rumbling of the Metro Rail or chatty colleagues, noisy offices can affect productivity. Addressing office sounds means identifying the noise and finding its source:
- Get decorating: Install carpeting or place rugs around the office to absorb sound. You could also add furniture like couches or armchairs to absorb sound waves. Indoor plants add greenery, improve air quality and help dampen noise.
- Divide office space: Use Udderly Quiet® Acoustic Partitions as desk dividers or office partitions.
- Artistic panels: Soundproofing never looked this good! You can customize art acoustic panels to complement the style of any office.
- Hanging sound baffles: A baffle’s porous surface traps sound energy on both sides. Choose fabric-wrapped panels in various colors and styles. Or go abstract with fire-rated Udderly Quiet® Class A™ Anechoic Hanging Baffles.
Improve Recording Studio Acoustics
LA is famous for its recording studios, from Capital Records to Sunset Sound. Hit all the right notes in your studio by blocking out unwanted noise while enhancing inside acoustics. Consider these products to create the perfect harmony:
- Acoustic foam: To reduce reverb and echo, cover the walls with lightweight acoustic foam. Fire-rated Udderly Quiet® Class A™ Pyramid Acoustic Foam is ideal for recording environments. It absorbs sound while improving acoustic performance.
- Bass traps: Place Udderly Quiet® Corner Traps in the room’s corners to reduce low-frequency sound waves. High-grade wedges drop reverb for better sound quality.
- Acoustic panels: Mount acoustic panels to the wall or hang baffles from the ceiling to absorb and dissipate sound. These products promote clearer recordings by reducing reverb.
Shop Los Angeles Soundproofing Solutions From Soundproof Cow
Los Angeles holds a special place in our hearts here at Soundproof Cow. We provide Angelenos with soundproofing solutions that create calm in the bustling mooo-tropolis. Browse our range of soundproofing products or contact us to request a free acoustical analysis.
If the recent fires have affected you, reach out to learn more about Soundproof Cow Cares’ specialty pricing. We are here to help.
