Your home is your inner sanctuary away from the outside world. Depending on where you live, external noise can sometimes be a growing burden, especially when relaxing or concentrating on work.

Alongside their ability to control light and temperature within the home, shutters are also a great way of reducing noise.

In this blog, we’ll explore why you should consider shutters when trying to prevent noise from entering your home.

How does noise affect a home?

Whether you’re working, sleeping, or relaxing, a peaceful home is a must. External noise enters through unsealed gaps, making doors and windows common culprits for letting unwanted sound waves in.

If you live in a particularly busy environment, near a road, pub, or shop, these issues can be amplified as sound may be constant, or even present during late hours. This can be an even bigger problem for those living in cities as loud noise could be inevitable and not easily prevented.

Aside from the annoyance of noise when trying to unwind after a day’s work, it can be hugely detrimental to your health and wellbeing. The UK Government’s ‘The neglected pollutants: the effects of artificial light and noise on human health’ report showed that both noise and light pollution can lead to an increased chance of heart disease and higher stress levels.

The same report also references that the World Health Organization stated that traffic-related noise pollution results in one million healthy life years lost in Western Europe annually.

Can shutters reduce noise?

Homeowners may not be able to control noise levels within their neighbourhood, however, they can do things to prevent sound from entering their property. Having shutters is just one way that you can make your home a peaceful haven from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

Shutters work by absorbing sound waves between your windows and the rest of the home. While they work best when shut, they can provide noise-reducing benefits even while open.

Most shutters will never completely prevent noise from entering your property; however, they are still more effective than not having them.

Shutters can also prevent noise within the home from escaping. This can give you peace of mind, knowing that you can host guests and not be as watchful over your noise levels.

Where best are shutters placed for noise reduction?

For noise reduction, shutters can provide numerous benefits depending on where they are within your home. They typically work best for any area where you need peace and quiet.

Here are just three areas of your home where you could consider adding shutters:

Living room

Your living room is a space for socialising, relaxing, and entertainment. Outside of work hours, it will be traditionally the place you spend most of your time awake, and so you’ll want to make sure the only noise you hear is within your home. Shutters can provide quiet for all purposes, while ensuring that the noise leaving the premises is kept to a minimum.

Alongside shutters, you can add furnishings that absorb sound, like filled bookcases or wall coverings.

Bedroom

Outside noise can significantly disrupt a peaceful night’s sleep, leading to fatigue and restlessness. According to the Sleep Foundation, long term effects of noise on sleep include high blood pressure, heart disease, and weight gain.

Shutters can ensure you get rest easily as they reduce noise getting in at all times of the day. Other benefits include the ability to control light, which is particularly important for sleeping on summer mornings when sunrise is far earlier.  

Ultimately, if you do not have effective window fittings, you may not be getting the quality of sleep you deserve or even need.

Study

Now that home working has been popularised since the COVID-19 pandemic, having a quiet space is now more important than ever before – not only for concentrating, but while in important online meetings.

Even everyday noise, such as car alarms, or people talking, can really affect your ability to work, particularly if your study faces onto a road.

Are shutters better at noise reduction than other window coverings?

When compared to other window fittings, such as blinds and curtains, shutters stand out as being first in class in noise reduction. This is in part because they are made from more solid and durable materials than their counterparts.

Another reason why shutters are better is that they are installed to fit into the window recess to prevent noise from getting in. As curtains hang down, there is more room for noise to escape.

While noise reducing curtains and roller blinds are an option, they won’t have the long-lasting appeal or effectiveness of shutters due to the thickness of the material.

It’s also worth considering double glazing, as it can not only help you save money on energy bills, but also insulate your home from external noise.

Which shutters provide the most noise reduction?

Noise reduction can vary depending on the materials you choose.

Here’s a brief guide about which is best in this instance:

Wooden shutters

Wood is typically thicker and more dense than other materials, and acts as a barrier to sound as they absorb sound waves – especially when closed. Not only do they prevent noise, but they also insulate your property from heat, cold, light, and electricity.

Hardwood shutters, particularly plantation shutters, are particularly effective as they can cover the entire expanse of your window.

Vinyl shutters

While vinyl shutters can help to prevent noise pollution from outside, they are not considered as effective as their wooden counterparts. However, they do still reduce noise from entering your home, so if you prefer the look or feel of vinyl shutters, this can still be an option.

What style of shutters are most effective for noise reduction?

Aside from the material of your shutters, you’ll need to consider which style you want and how effective it will be for noise reduction.

Here are a few suggestions of which to choose:

Full height shutters

Shutters are most effective when they cover the full width of your windows and so full height styles will provide the best sound-proofing abilities. Not only this, but they offer unbeatable light control.

Cafe style shutters

As this style typically leaves space at the top of the window, these are not as effective at cancelling sound as other styles of shutters. While this provides more light control and privacy than not having them, it also will let in more sound than full height shutters.

Tier-on-tier shutters

For those who want upper and lower shutters that work independently from one another, this can be an effective upgrade from cafe style shutters in the noise reduction department.

Noise reduction benefits of professional installation

To ensure you’re getting the maximum noise reduction benefit from shutters, we advise getting your window fittings installed by an expert.

Professional installation ensures that your shutters will be made to measure, reducing any external noise from entering your property.

When you choose Shuttercraft, we provide a long-lasting guarantee. We are renowned for our professional service so you can rest easy knowing your home is a quiet place to relax.