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4 Ways To Soundproof Your New Home Theater

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Building your own home theater is the perfect way to enjoy all your favorite movies the way the makers intended them -- big and bold and beautiful -- without the annoyances of sharing a theater with hundreds of other viewers. But to create a great home theater experience without bothering the neighbors or your family members, you will need to learn how to soundproof the room. Here are several different options for soundproofing the room. 

Special Drywall. Ordinary drywall is not a very good soundproofing material. Interior walls are generally fairly hollow and the drywall acts as a giant sail that "catches" the acoustic vibrations of that high-quality sound system you installed. The solution is to use specially-designed drywall called "zero-sound drywall" or "sound-deadening drywall." Talk with your remodeling contractor about using special drywall before the project begins in order to save time and money. 

Decoupling. A relatively new technology, decoupling focuses on separating drywall from studs and joints, thereby reducing the drywall's ability to transmit vibrations. Isolation bushings, or "clips," are attached to the studs. A rubber side faces the stud and the drywall is hung from a metal channel attached to the isolator. Since these pieces must be placed between the drywall layers, it's best to use this method when completely remodeling or adding a wall. 

Insulation. Adding a layer of insulation to home theater walls is a good way to save money and avoid annoying the neighbors. Lay batts of insulation snugly in between the studs of the wall, allowing to be loose and stapling it to keep it secure. The added mass from insulation will help dampen some sound and is best used in conjunction with other methods. Talk to a company like B & B Cowie Insulation Ltd for more information on insulation options.

Dampeners. One of the cheapest ways to add some soundproofing to an existing room is to hang additional dampening material over the existing wall. Depending on how much dampening effect you need, this could be something as simple as floor-to-ceiling curtains or tapestry-style hangings. Sound panels can also be purchased to hang on the wall and help reduce noise pollution. Carpet on the floor (look for sound ratings on carpeting) and acoustic tiles on the ceiling can also prevent sounds from escaping on other sides. 

No matter how large or small your soundproofing problem is, you can find success using one or more of these methods. Even though it may take some additional investment or hiring professional help from a qualified contractor, the result will be a home theater you can enjoy in private for years to come. 


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