Meeting in Progress! 6 Ways to Control the Sound in Your Place of Business

When a business meeting is in process, control the sounds that seep in and out of the walls. Employees cannot concentrate when they are distracted by voices, cars and other noises. If you want to do soundproofing yourself, understand the technical parts of the process. Proofing the entire room takes professional input, but you can do much of the work yourself. Learn about 6 ways to proof the sound in your work building.

1. Seal Doors and Windows

Seal cracks that allow sound to seep through doors and windows. Use caulk or rubber gaskets as the fillers. You have to remove the old seal that has begun to peel away. In addition to blocking sound, you will block the seepage of water. Another term for this work is weather stripping, which improves the building insulation. The most important tip is just to keep the door and window closed tightly.

2. Install Soundproof Floors and Carpets

If you do not like to hear footsteps, install wall to wall carpeting. Soft carpet is known to absorb sounds, which is helpful to people on the lower level. In addition to carpets, there are sound-resistant floors that come with different ratings, such as the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating. Common materials include vinyl, rubber and wood that reduce the patters of footsteps.

3. Use Acoustic Panels

Businesses use acoustic panels as one way to help control volumes of sound. Acoustic panels are constructed of different absorbent materials from fabric to fiberglass. Create panels in custom sizes, lengths and thicknesses. A 10-inch panel is better equipped than a 4-inch one. Foam is another material that is thick with water-and-sound-resistant properties. Anyone can create panels after making careful measurements around the room.

4. Add Another Wall

Add another layer to the wall as a way to block sound. This structure could be more effective than carpet or padding. Install double or triple layers of drywall. Install portions of the wall on your own, but request professional help to do the entire wall.

5. Use Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass insulation can be used to soundproof any home. It is cheap, fire resistant and made in different thicknesses. As you install, do not breathe in the materials and avoid using gloves. A proper installation is necessary for the best soundproofing results.

6. Install Solid Doors and Windows

One soundproofing method is to install solid structures in place of hollow ones. The more weight you add, the more likely that sounds get blocked out. Use glass that is a few inches thick and long lasting. Whether you work in a school or hospital, you need reduced noise levels in order to work professionally.

It is worth the effort to reduce the sound disturbances in a room. From outside of the walls, all noises are distracting from cars to people’s voices. During a business meeting, encourage total peace and quiet along with privacy. This is especially important if you are hosting current or even potential clients. Use soundproofing tools and techniques to improve people’s concentration. Invest in one or more methods that are proven to work.

My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.

Lizzie received the information for this article from Conwed Designscape, a businesses that specializes in acoustic panels as one way to help control volumes of sound.