Train Noise Reduction: 4 Ways to Block Railway Noise at Home
You finally managed to find that house or apartment you were looking for, being perfect in any sense.
You and your family moved in and everything was just as you imagined. But then it happened - the truth hit you.
Although you had been informed about a train noise, you took it for granted, assuming that it wouldn’t be that much of a problem.
Yes, you have a great home now, and yes, the horns and whistles of a train are unbearable.
Of course, you don’t want to move and switch places again – but the only solution is to learn why do trains make so much noise and how to reduce the traffic noise in your home.
Although the noise pollution can be a more significant trouble in an urban area, it is always a problem how to deal with the train noise at home when you live near a railroad track, whether in a suburban area or a center of a city.
Noises such as train horn and whistle, although sounded with purpose, could be reduced by certain soundproofing methods to achieve both short-term and permanent solution.
Those who are looking for a noise reduction solution should be aware that it might be needed to employ more than one method if the disquieting noise is immensely loud.
Having in mind all these facts and inconveniences, should you consider selling your dream house and giving up on your home?
But why would you do that when you could use some of the following soundproofing solutions and still enjoy your home?
4 Simple Ways to Block Train Noise
The following solutions can be helpful if you are stressed and fed up with the constant and disquieting train horns, whistles and its rumbling.
Depending on the frequency of the noise, you could combine more methods, which is even recommended, so as to achieve a more peaceful home for you and your family.
Even though the train noise could manifest as annoying at first, but these continual disturbances and unrestfulness that you may experience living nearby a railroad track could have slow but harmful implications for your health and well-being.
Especially if you live in a heavily trafficked area of a city, it is highly recommended to consider the options for reduction of the train noise that can disrupt your happiness and tranquility at the home.
Some people don’t even realise curtains that block sound are a thing – until they help them solve their noise problem.
Train noise at night is the worst – but let’s jump straight into it so you can solve your noise problem before the night falls!
1. Hang Soundproof Curtains and Drapes
Has it ever crossed your mind that your drapes and curtains could have another function than merely decorating your home?
Even if it may sound not credible enough, soundproof curtains and drapes could truly assist in reducing the echoes.
As it is the case with heavy carpets which absorb the noise from below, massive curtains and drapes can help you reduce the noise from the outside.
They have the capacity to create a considerable amount of transmission loss at high frequency.
For instance, there are specially constructed curtains that can block around 20dB, depending not only on a fabric and lining but also on each manufacturer.
Besides the beautiful design and ability to reduce the volume of the noise, some soundproof curtains may help you regulate even the temperature in the room.
They are easy to be installed on both rods and tracks. Therefore, they present one of the easiest solutions for the train noise reduction, but also they remain both practical and effective method to muffle the unwanted sound.
If you are looking for a cheap solution, the soundproof curtains might be the best option – but they might not eliminate all the noise.
You might still feel that the train is in your backyard – but don’t worry. As we’ve said earlier, you can combine a couple of solutions and hopefully this will resolve your noise problems – so continue down the list!
2. Install Outdoor Barriers
The next method that could help you with the noise reduction is situated outside of your house.
When you think of a yard, does anything pop into your head as a reducer of the sound?
Probably not, which is why it may surprise you that fences, bushes, shrubs, and trees could combat the train noise.
A trick to diminish that annoying noise is putting up a few sound reflecting objects in the yard that may aid in deflecting the sound.
By placing a few outdoor barriers you increase your chances for the better reduction of the noise inside the house.
Moreover, air currents can carry sound waves, so you might dampen the noise by breaking up the air using a barrier, whether it is a hedge or a fence.
For instance, by planting a row of hedge in front of or behind your house, depending on where the train track is located, you would be able to diminish the sound waves.
The important thing to know is that the hedge has proved well in being a barrier between the train track and the house making it difficult for the sound to penetrate into the house.
Likewise, if you build a fence around the house, it would reduce the sound waves before they come inside your house. And no matter how loud the sound of the train is – your home will still be soundproof to a certain level.
You should carefully choose the material and height of the fence since the difference could be of crucial importance.
With a fence, there is a great chance that the train noise from the outside may be significantly reduced and so contribute to your peace that you are looking for in a home.
Here is our guide on soundproofing a fence with mass loaded vinyl.
3. Consider Installing Double Glazed Windows
While the quick fixes for reducing the train noise may be useful for a short time or a not so high frequency of sound waves, the better and much effective option would be investing in a permanent yet modern and practical soundproofing solution.
Although it would be a little pricier, the effect you get is a certain long-term reduction of the noise.
A high decibel of a sound can permeate through a glass window, so it is highly advised that you prevent it if you live nearby a railroad track. And as we all know it, train air horns are very loud and could even damage hearing in some situations.
Soundproof windows can decrease the train noise which would otherwise travel through the windows and permeate your home.
Also, you could even try with the installation of soundproof doors to guarantee the better reduction of the noise inside the house.
If you are planning to stay in the house for a long period and the noise you experience is indeed intolerable, the best thing you can do is to invest in the installation of double glazed windows.
What is important is that you can install them everywhere – standard houses, modern houses, townhouses, or even buildings.
Single glazed windows cannot prevent the sound from intruding into your house, whereas double glazed windows do have the capacity to achieve that.
Double glazing is considered to be one of the best and simplest ways to effectively soundproof the windows and get rid of the train noise for good.
It is easy to install double glazed windows since you could do it by yourself if you are handy enough, but it is safer and better to hire professionals.
Technically, this method involves an add-on glazing system installed inside the windows. ​
Namely, the soundproof windows are modified with double glazed units, which can muffle the noise from the outside.
Significantly, the standard double glazing may be enough if you do not suffer from extreme noise.
However, there is a special type of glass, for instance, laminated glass, used to block specifically the train noise. It can reduce the noise for 30 or 40 dB, which can make a considerable difference for your peace at the house.
4. Use Earplugs
If you do not live exactly nearby the train track and you do not suffer from a high frequency of the train noise inside the house, you may consider using earplugs.
Namely, some people have a hard time falling asleep for whatever reasons not to mention what the train horns and rumbles could do to your sleep.
If you are one of those people, sleeping with earplugs can make a difference and reduce up to 20 dB of the noise while allowing you to sleep tight.
After all, you might not be lucky enough to minimize the noise to comfortable levels the same day of reading this post (some people might be lucky) – but you can always help yourself with good old earplugs while you take action & work on the solutions.
Final Word: On Train Noise Reduction
The vexatious train noise or any other city or traffic disturbances should be prevented, so do not hesitate to invest in your and your family’s well-being and state of placidity.
Whether you choose to employ some short-term solution or a permanent one, be sure that the train noise problem could be diminished or even solved for good.
Everything considered, if you are not sure which method to employ to reduce the annoying and disquieting train noise, you could try some simple ones first to see if they have any effect on the noise in your house.
If they do not, then the best thing to do is to invest in some long-term solution such as installing double glazed windows.
Train Noise Reduction
Choo choo! Does the sound of the train approaching annoy you at home? Learn how to block railway noise in our simple train noise reduction guide.
Instructions
- Hang Soundproof Curtains and Drapes
- Install Outdoor Barriers
- Consider Installing Double Glazed Windows
- Use Earplugs