Do you know that some curtains are soundproof and recommended for drummers?
In case you don’t want to hear your neighbours screaming at you each time you start playing, you must pick soundproof curtains. Read this brief guide that will improve your drumming career. Yes, we discuss different types of curtains with a focus mainly on the noise cancelling curtains.
What Are Noise Cancelling Curtains?
Drumming is a pretty loud activity no matter whether you live in an apartment or a private house. This instrument sound can be equal to the train arriving right to your room.
In case you don’t have a separate soundproof training spot, you have to take care of decreasing the sound volume. Noise cancelling curtains, as the name suggests, are soundproof and don’t cost much. They are made of specific fabric and consume the sound escaping through windows.
This solution does not silence all the sounds but significantly lessens the volume. They are great for cymbals, as well as any other instruments and noises. Don’t think that they completely eliminate the sound. Yet, together with other soundproof ideas, they are helpful.
Soundproof curtains look similar to ordinary fabric ones. The main difference is in the mass. It has a bigger mass of material, which decreases the sound.
Since glass windows transmit the sound louder than brick walls, you have to add mass there. If you have glass doors, you need to get curtains for them as well.
How to Use Noise Cancelling Curtains to Cut Noise?
As the name suggests, canceling curtains is extremely helpful in cutting noise in a confined space. The maximum noise reduction that you get from these curtains is around 6 to 9 decibels.
This helps in the offices. However, in this section, we discuss the approaches to using these noise-cancelling curtains.
First Treat the Walls Behind the Noisy Industrial Equipment with These Curtains
The soundproof curtains on the wall behind the equipment can successfully reduce noise by 1 to 2 decibels. Moreover, it reduces noise levels from 4 to 5 decibels if it spreads directly onto walls.
Building Noise Enclosure with Noise cancellation curtains
This is done by erecting the ceiling suspended on the floor-mounted frame with four walls.
They are so effective that they can cut down noise ranging between 15 to 20 decibels.
However, to reap the maximum advantage from these noise-cancellation curtains. You need to incorporate view windows or, say, a sliding panel to achieve visibility.
Building Barrier Wall
Another benefit that you have with the help of these soundproof curtains is that they build barrier walls or partial enclosures. The maximum reduction of noise that you get is between 6 to 15 decibels with them. Additionally, there are advantages to visibly sliding panels for access.
So, to extract the maximum benefit, you need to make these noise-cancelling curtains a maximum of 8 feet high.
The equation is quite simple: the barrier needs to be double the height of the source of the noise.
Different Types of Curtains
The market offers a wide range of options, but not all these curtains work. You have to decide which type is the most helpful in your case. They are:
Home Soundproof or Insulation Curtains
These noise cancelling curtains reduce the noise coming from the street. You don’t hear loud cars or neighbors. They are also known as blackout insulation curtains since they consume the sun outdoors, keeping the room cool.
Originally, these curtains were not made for drummers but quickly earned their trust as an effective tool.
Audio Insulation Fabric
This product was designed as sheets, not as curtains. You can still hang such fabric on the window or door. Sheets are simple to sew on your classic curtains as well. They were made to consume the sound. They are heavier than ordinary curtains and have a great mass. This option is one of the most expensive on the list. If you need a lot of fabric, you might think about other models.
Industrial Blankets
This is an affordable option. They are not curtains at all, and yet they consume the sound. You can significantly decrease the sound using the blankets on the windows. Originally, they were made for protection while moving, as well as reduction of the sound in the industrial districts.
You can find thicker or thinner blankets on the market. The thicker they are, the better they consume sound. You still have to think about how to attach them to your windows.
Yet, they work really well. We recommend you stitch these blankets to the curtains or hang them in a second row, invisible from the outside.
Picking Up Noise Cancelling Curtains for Drummers
Soundproof curtains might not completely stop the sound from getting out through the window, so you should reconsider the idea of playing after midnight or before dawn.
Yet, they are helpful additions to other measures and significantly decrease the sound volume. Consider them even if you are an amateur musician.
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