"Soft furnishings can surprisingly help dampen those deeper vibrations a bit..."
That's a good point, but in my experience, rugs and wall hangings mostly tackle mid-to-high frequencies. I once worked on a downtown apartment renovation—ended up building an additional drywall layer with damping compound to really handle those stubborn low-frequency rumbles...
That's a pretty solid observation about soft furnishings. From my experience, curtains and rugs definitely help with the higher-pitched street noise—like honking, chatter, or even the occasional siren—but those deeper vibrations from traffic or construction are a whole different beast.
I remember working on a project for a client who lived right above a busy intersection. They'd tried everything from thick curtains to heavy rugs, and while it made the apartment feel cozier and quieter overall, it didn't really touch the low-frequency rumble from trucks and buses. Eventually, we installed acoustic-grade windows with laminated glass and proper sealing. Honestly, the difference was night and day. The windows themselves were thicker and heavier, and the laminated layers helped break up those stubborn lower frequencies that just seem to travel through everything.
One thing I've learned is that soundproofing is rarely about just one solution—it's usually a combination of things. Soft furnishings are great for general comfort and reducing echo, but if you're really serious about blocking out city noise, especially those deeper vibrations, upgrading your windows or even adding secondary glazing might be your best bet. It's more of an investment upfront, but in the long run, you'll probably sleep better and feel less stressed out by constant background noise.
Still, don't underestimate the psychological effect of having a comfortable space with rugs, curtains, and wall hangings. Even if they don't fully block out the low-end rumble, they can make your home feel calmer and quieter overall.
Yeah, curtains and rugs help a bit, but honestly...been there, done that. I lived near train tracks once—no curtain on earth was stopping that rumble. Upgraded windows were the only thing that saved my sanity (and sleep). Worth every penny.
Curtains are decent for softening echoes or dulling street chatter, but yeah, trains and heavy traffic? Different beast altogether. Upgrading windows is a game changer—did it myself when I moved downtown. Not only quieter, but my energy bills dropped noticeably too. Double win. If budget allows, acoustic windows are the real MVP here. Curtains just can't compete with physics...unfortunately.
Totally agree on acoustic windows being the better long-term solution. A few extra points from my own experience:
- Curtains help a bit with higher-frequency sounds—voices, birds, general street noise—but they're pretty useless against low-frequency rumbling like trucks or trains.
- Acoustic windows aren't just about thicker glass; the air gap between panes matters a lot. Wider gaps usually mean better sound insulation.
- If you're renting or can't afford full window replacements, secondary glazing panels can be a decent compromise. I installed some DIY acrylic panels in my old apartment, and they noticeably cut down traffic noise without breaking the bank.
- Don't overlook sealing gaps around windows and doors. Even tiny cracks let in surprising amounts of noise (and drafts).
Bottom line, curtains alone won't cut it for serious city noise. But if acoustic windows aren't doable right now, there are still some budget-friendly tweaks that can make life more bearable.