Enhancing Your Home’s Noise Insulation with Noise Reducing Shutters

Are you looking to reduce the noise entering your home? Whether it’s traffic, loud neighbours, or general urban clatter, professionally installed window shutters can significantly help.

In this blog, we’ll explore the noise reduction capabilities of different types of shutters and how combining shutters with additional shading solutions can further improve your home’s sound insulation.

Window shutters closed for noise reduction

Understanding Noise Reduction with Louvered Shutters

Louvred noise reducing shutters can help reduce noise by creating an additional barrier to sound waves. Shutters and blinds aren’t laboratory tested for sound, so we don’t quote a figure for how much they reduce noise. What we can say is that several factors affect how much difference you’ll notice:

Material: Heavier, denser materials typically offer better sound insulation. Wooden shutters, especially those made from hardwoods, reduce noise more than lighter materials.
Fit: Shutters that fit snugly within the window frame offer better sound insulation. Any gaps can allow sound to pass through more easily.
Window Quality: The type and quality of the window itself also play a significant role. Double-glazed windows combined with shutters generally perform better in noise reduction than single-glazed windows.
Room Acoustics: The overall acoustics of the room, including other furnishings and wall insulation, can affect the noticeable noise reduction.

The Impact of Sound Frequency

The effectiveness of louvred shutters in reducing noise can vary depending on the frequency of the sound:

Low-Frequency Sounds (e.g., Traffic Noise): Low-frequency sounds, such as those from traffic, are generally more challenging to block because they have longer wavelengths that can penetrate most materials more easily.

While noise reducing louvred shutters can provide some reduction, they are typically less effective against low-frequency noise than high-frequency sounds.

Combining shutters with other soundproofing measures, such as heavy curtains, shutter-and-shade, or additional window glazing, can be more effective in mitigating low-frequency noise.

Mid to High-Frequency Sounds (e.g., Conversations, High-Pitched Noises): Louvered shutters reduce mid to high-frequency sounds more effectively. These higher-frequency sounds have shorter wavelengths, which are more easily absorbed and reflected by the materials used in shutters. Therefore, you may notice a more significant reduction in these types of noises.

Solid Shutters: A More Robust Solution

Solid shutters, compared to louvred shutters, generally offer better sound insulation:

Material and Density: Solid shutters are usually made from heavier and denser materials, providing a more substantial barrier against sound waves.
No Gaps: Unlike louvred shutters, solid shutters don’t have slats or gaps through which sound can pass, resulting in more effective noise reduction.
Fewer Paths for Sound: Because sound travels through gaps, a closed solid panel gives it fewer ways through than a louvred shutter. We don’t quote a figure for either, as neither has been laboratory tested for sound.

The Ultimate Combination: Shutter-and-Shade

Duette cellular blinds combined with shutters for maximum insulation

Combining shutters with an insulating cellular blind behind them (a “Shutter and Shade” combination) can further enhance noise reduction:

Additional Layer: The cellular blind adds an extra layer of material, enhancing the overall thickness and density of the window covering.
Insulation: Cellular blinds, also known as honeycomb shades, have a design that traps air within their cells, providing excellent insulation properties. This trapped air acts as a buffer that can help absorb and reduce sound.
Two Layers: The shutter and the cellular blind are two separate layers with air between them, which can help more than either on its own. Like any lightweight window covering, the combination does least against deep, low-frequency sound.

Overall Noise Reduction:

Solid Shutters Alone: Can help reduce noise, particularly higher-pitched sounds such as voices, with no louvre gaps for sound to pass through.
Shutter and Shade Combination: Adds a second layer inside the window, which can help further. Deep, low-frequency noise such as the rumble of heavy traffic remains the hardest to stop.
Serious Noise Problems: Acoustic secondary glazing is the recognised solution. Shutters and blinds can be added in front of it as an extra layer.

Conclusion

Solid shutters will significantly enhance noise reduction compared to louvred shutters, particularly for higher frequencies. Of the window coverings we offer, a Shutter-and-Shade combination gives you the most layers between you and the window. For substantial noise, especially low-frequency noise, acoustic secondary glazing is the recognised solution, with shutters and blinds as an extra layer.

Shutters and blinds aren’t laboratory tested for sound, so we don’t quote figures. How much difference you notice depends on the type of noise, your windows and the fit. We’re happy to talk through your situation.

You can arrange an appointment with one of our experts by calling 0800 086 2989. Our design studios are open by appointment only to ensure our clients receive the complete and undivided attention of an expert.

We also offer home and virtual appointments to cater to your specific needs.

February 2024

The Scottish Shutter Company

S:Craft: Shutter & Shade

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