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A Farm of My Own:  soundproofing old farmhouse  |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 07 2012 : 06:13:42 AM
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So here we are, at our farm, and we didn't lay any carpet. I don't like carpet, and since the farmhouse needed all new flooring (there wasn't any laid, it was in the middle of being renovated) I went with wood floors everywhere. (Well, laminate...not real....but you get the picture ) In any event, goodness gracious, is our house LOUD. The sound carries everywhere! I'm not kidding, you can be in the basement and hear someone in the bathroom two floors up!
A friend suggested carpet, but I don't want to lay carpet with all the animals we have. Although I did notice the old farmhouse we stayed in this past weekend for our ladies weekend was all carpet and the house was so quiet. My husband said the only other option is to lay area rugs everywhere.
Anyone else have other ideas? Not that I want to not hear ANYTHING, but my husband does sleep days/works nights, and I have two boys at home all day.
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com |
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2012 : 06:16:45 AM
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HI Amy,
The only thing I can suggest is to put down some area rugs (kinda like what your DH said). I think that even a few larger area rugs, like in the living room/family room etc would help. Good Luck! I'm sure there is a creative farmgirl out here that may have another idea too...
Smiles,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2012 : 09:19:05 AM
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I agree, I'd go with area rugs. Keep us posted.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2012 : 09:24:48 AM
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area rugs work for me, my floors are all wood, get a stair runner for your stairs, and as time goes on, you all will get used to the sounds and not "hear" them anymore...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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Sharon Denise
True Blue Farmgirl
211 Posts
Sharon
Temple
TX
USA
211 Posts |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2012 : 12:19:28 PM
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Maybe I'll have to get working on some giant rugs, eh? ;) Sounds like rugs are the way to go.
We've gotten used to a lot of the little noises in the house, but its just amazing to me how the sound in the house carries. I can sit at the kitchen table and hear what the boys are saying in their room (which isn't anywhere near the kitchen!) I told them maybe we shouldn't soundproof it anymore...that way we can know what's going on all the time!
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com |
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osbornefarms
True Blue Farmgirl
94 Posts
Leslea
tn
USA
94 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2012 : 5:11:23 PM
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| Have you already moved in? I know my house was really loud until we put everything in it. It was like everything bounced around. |
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LuckyMommyof5
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Suzanne
OH
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2012 : 5:18:45 PM
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I love hardwood or laminate, too. But I know what you mean about sound carrying. Half of our house came with hardwood, a quarter with carpet and another quarter with ceramic tile. Other than area rugs, I don't have any other ideas right now. However, have you thought of hanging beautiful quilts on ornamental curtain rods (you'd have to put in a pole-pocket along one side) on some walls to act as sound buffers? It might absorbs some of the echoes and make for better sound proofing in the rooms. Also, I knew someone who made her own tapestry by doing a very large embroidery project and then backing it in batting. Again, if you did that you would need to also sew in/on a pole pocket to mount it. With either of those things on some walls, it may help.
Farmgirl Sister #3243
"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2012 : 5:33:09 PM
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Amy, I have hardwood floors all through my bottom floor. It's cold! And I don't have rugs on them. I am going to paint my bedroom in a few weeks and we are putting carpet down in there. I don't really want to but the floor in there is a mess. Plus I want to be warm. So I agree with everyone else about area rugs.
And I really love your blog and so enjoy your barn stories. But I noticed that while you guys are in the barn cleaning out all the sheep poo that's been there for years, y'all aren't wearing masks. I don't know if anyone else has ever mentioned this, but that dust is really bad for you. And I am sure there is alot of it in there. I am just suggestiong y'all wear masks while stirring up dust. It can cause respiratory problems. I love that old barn.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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txbikergirl
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Cindy
Elkhart
TX
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2012 : 5:52:53 PM
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Its all about SOFT surfaces absorbing the noise, and hard surfaces just bouncing them around. We just went through this, as I wanted all hardwood everywhere and although my hubby acquiesced he certainly warned me how bad it would sound he's in the audio/video industry and room build/installation is his thing - so he deals with this all the time).
When I realized as we painted just how loud it would be, I then let him have his carpet in the living room. Glad I did, the noise level is super quiet now.
So, you have to offset some of that hard surface with soft surfaces. One largish area rug somewhere to enhance your layout, some heavier drapes on window walls even if pulled to the sides to let the sun shine through, maybe upholster a wall with some fabric, or drape fabric on the ceilings if they aren't looking that great to give you a dramatic ceiling treatment. there are ways to offset the hard surfaces, but it essentially means adding a lot more on other surfaces near by.
quote:
Originally posted by farmmilkmama
So here we are, at our farm, and we didn't lay any carpet. I don't like carpet, and since the farmhouse needed all new flooring (there wasn't any laid, it was in the middle of being renovated) I went with wood floors everywhere. (Well, laminate...not real....but you get the picture) In any event, goodness gracious, is our house LOUD. The sound carries everywhere! I'm not kidding, you can be in the basement and hear someone in the bathroom two floors up!
A friend suggested carpet, but I don't want to lay carpet with all the animals we have. Although I did notice the old farmhouse we stayed in this past weekend for our ladies weekend was all carpet and the house was so quiet. My husband said the only other option is to lay area rugs everywhere.
Anyone else have other ideas? Not that I want to not hear ANYTHING, but my husband does sleep days/works nights, and I have two boys at home all day.
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com
*********************************************************
Bread the Mary Jane Way
- started Mother 6/28/09
- Hodgson Mill Organic unbleached flour
- well water w/ reverse osmosis filter
- feeding twice as much once a day to eliminate excess hooch
- first sourdough loaf 7/25/09 - GREAT!
- using KA bread flour for loafs |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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BusyBeeMary
True Blue Farmgirl
178 Posts
Mary
Nampa
Idaho
178 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2012 : 5:54:40 PM
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Had that same problem in my old victorian home. Had to put area rugs everywhere and it helped. The new house in Idaho that we are moving to soon has carpet everywhere, my first thoought was to put in laminate floors but hubby brought up the fact that its warmer and quieter with the carpets in, and since they were in excellent shape I had to agree. I do NOT like the linolium flooring in our kitchen and am hoping we can put laminate in there.. with a nice area rug in the kitchen at the sink area as well as where the kitchen table sits. Good old area rugs.
To Live a Full life one must LOVE MANY THINGS- Vincent Van Gogh
Mary Fitzpatrick
#3232
http//www.Thepurplecrazylady.blogspot.com
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Bonnie Ellis
True Blue Farmgirl
2474 Posts
Bonnie
Minneapolis
Minnesota
USA
2474 Posts |
Posted - Feb 27 2012 : 10:28:13 PM
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Amy: The braided rugs sound charming, but do you have any textiles on the walls (quilts, wool pieces etc? They will absorb the too. I know what area you are in cuz I'm in Minnesota too and you will want something warm in the floor. Good luck. I can't wait to see pictures.
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2012 : 01:34:19 AM
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I agree with Cindy and Amy. Use lots of fabric and soft surfaces to absorb the sound. Your home sounds beautiful. I hope you have many happpy years there. Good luck!
Marianne |
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A Farm of My Own: soundproofing old farmhouse |
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soundproofing old farmhouse
