Living close to an airport or beneath a regular flight path can make aircraft noise a daily frustration. Early morning departures, late-night arrivals and increased seasonal flights can all make it harder to relax, work from home or sleep properly.
While it is not always possible to stop external noise at source, the right soundproofing system can help reduce the amount of aircraft noise entering your property through walls, ceilings, floors, doors and weak points in the building fabric.
Air traffic noise is usually a form of airborne noise. This means the sound travels through the air before reaching your home and passing through vulnerable areas of the property. The level of disturbance can depend on how close you are to the airport, the direction of the flight path, aircraft altitude, wind conditions and how well your property is already insulated against sound.
Many homes, including both older properties and some new-builds, are not designed with high levels of external noise in mind. Standard walls, ceilings, floors, doors and glazing may allow unwanted noise to pass through, particularly where there are gaps, lightweight materials or poorly sealed junctions.
Soundproofing can help reduce the impact of aircraft noise inside the home by improving the acoustic performance of the areas where sound is entering. The most effective approach is usually to treat the weakest points first, rather than relying on one product to solve the problem across the whole property.
For homes affected by aircraft noise, this may include acoustic wall systems, ceiling soundproofing, floor soundproofing, acoustic doors, door seals and other noise reduction products. The right solution will depend on the structure of the property and the rooms most affected by the noise.
For more general advice on reducing unwanted sound from outside the home, read our guide on how to soundproof a room from outside noise.
External walls and party walls can allow airborne noise to enter and travel through a property. Acoustic wall systems can add mass, improve separation and help reduce the transfer of unwanted sound into living areas, bedrooms and home offices.
In flats, apartments and rooms directly beneath roof spaces, ceilings can be a significant route for noise transfer. A suitable ceiling soundproofing system can help reduce airborne noise from outside, especially where the existing ceiling construction is lightweight.
Although aircraft noise is mainly airborne, floors can still play a role in overall noise control, particularly in flats, conversions and multi-storey homes. Floor soundproofing can help reduce sound movement between rooms and levels, creating a more controlled acoustic environment throughout the property.
Doors are often overlooked, but gaps around a door can allow both draughts and noise to pass through. Acoustic doors, suitable thresholds and higher-performing door sets can all help limit sound leakage and improve comfort inside the home.
Windows, trickle vents, service penetrations and poorly sealed edges can all reduce the effectiveness of a soundproofing scheme. Before upgrading walls or ceilings, it is worth identifying any obvious gaps or weak points that may be allowing aircraft noise to enter.
The best soundproofing solution will depend on the type of property, the construction of the room and the level of noise disturbance. A bedroom affected by early morning flights may need a different approach from a living room, loft conversion or home office.
Acoustic Supplies provides a range of soundproofing products and systems designed to improve noise reduction in homes and other buildings. Whether you are looking to reduce aircraft noise, road traffic noise, noisy neighbours or general external noise, our team can help you identify a suitable solution for your space.
If your home is affected by several types of unwanted sound, our home soundproofing solutions can help you explore suitable options for domestic noise reduction.
If you are affected by aircraft noise from a nearby airport or busy flight path, Acoustic Supplies can help you understand your options. We can advise on suitable wall, ceiling, floor and door soundproofing products to help reduce unwanted noise and make your home more comfortable.
Speak to a friendly member of our team today to discuss your noise problem and find out which soundproofing solution may be right for your property.