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HOME PROFESSIONALS GUIDE Wednesday September 11 IMl Page There is a solution for unwanted sound Babel clamour dm hubbub hullabaloo pandemonium racket rumpus tumult uproar or simply noise Whatever the word it means unwanted sound and there is a lot of it in our loud world So it is not surprising that we are always looking for ways to minimize the noise in our homes Short of sending the kids to boarding school there are other ways noise can be reduced in our llving quarters to maintain a degree of comfort Grant McDiarmaid Marketing Manager for Canada Canadas leading manufacturer has some sound isolation construction techniques to consider when building or renovating a home as well as a variety of acoustical surface treatment suggestions to supple ment good sound isolation con struction Fill the cavity between the walls of two separate rooms eg the nursery and the master bedroom with blanket type Pink insulation Hie insulation helps absorb sound energy before it sets the opposite wall surface in motion transmitting the sound into the room explains McDiar maid Another thing to keep mind is that thickness rather than density increases the sound absorbtion qualities of the insula tion At least 75 per cent of the cavity should be filled so we recommend an R12 insulation value for best results Use solid wood or mineral core exterior doors sealed at the top and sides with soft type weather stripping and windows with double glazed insulating Doors and windows can be the weak links in reducing sound transmission says maid The higher the quality the better the sound control results For exterior doors also suggests using a door plate or sill to close the gap under the door 3 Place appliances away from the wall to reduce sound waves Entering the structure The sound path is broken when there is a minimum of direct connection says maid Another tip for apart duplexes etc is to install telephones doorbells intercom or built in radios on Interior walls only never on party shared or cor ndor walls The easiest way to improve noise control in a floorceiling construction is to install a carpet with heavy padding or a cushion ed floor According to these coverings are effective sur face treatments for reducing im pact sound someone walking for example Further soundproofing is possible by adding sound absorb ing Pink insulation in the floorceiling cavity In addition to carpeting reflection and reverberation of sound within a room can be con trolled through the combination of such materials as acoustical celling drapes and upholstered furniture Build a sound absorbing frame box around noising com pressors or central air tioners Line bathtubs particularly metal ones with insulation for better sound control As well you may want to wrap the basement drain pipes with insulation to reduce water noise adds McDiarmaid 9 If building or renovating a home that is located next to a noisy street or runway install sound absorbing insulation in all exterior and walls as well as in floors and ceilings This will certainly help the airborne noise problem But some of the sound is a result of structural vibration through the ground which is almost impossi ble to eliminate totally explains How to brighten up a room This article is provided by local realtors and the Ontario Real Estate Association for the benefit of consumers in the real estate market Are you looking for ways to make a special room in your house seem brighter and more spacious without having to knock down walls or change your decorating scheme A skylight might be the answer Installed in the roof this type of window can give any room new life Theyre idea for open up small areas that receive little light They re also ideal for bedrooms particularly if you en joy star gazing Skylights also give you the op portunity to a little bit of the outdoors into your living space Your plants will also be able to enjoy more sunlight However before you start plan rung your skylight there are a couple of drawbacks you should keep in mind One is that a skylight can be a major source of heat loss This is because in sulated glass doesn come thick enough to prevent the elements from having an effect Skylights can also sweat during the winter months and condensation may fall below INSTALLATION Ideally skylights should be in stalled by a contractor who specializes in solanums because you want someone with expertise in glass installation As with anything else skylights must be installed properly to be effective Do it yourself kits are available on the market but most contractors suggest that you go to a solarium or glass dealer to make sure that you get quality and the benefit of their expertise GET ESTIMATES Its a good idea to shop around and get two or three estimates from different contractors Com pare what each has to offer and make sure the information con tamed in the quote meets your specifications There are many different styles of skylights to choose from and your contractor should tell you what is suitable for your structure and what the skylight will do for you and your home Average sizes range from two to six feet and costs range anywhere from to Ob viously the bigger the skylight is the larger the ill be An additional cost will be the type of trim you wish to accent your skylight with Discuss this element with your contractor to get the best possible choice for your decor When choosing a location for your skylight experts recom mend that it be placed on the nor theast side of your home In this location the skylight won get the hot sun which could stifle your home considerably AUTUMN VALUES Reg Centre FLOORING SPECIALIST 1 26 Main St N ACTON 8531 1 90 IMPROVEMENTS DIRECTORY MINI BACKH0E SHOVEL Little or No Grass Damage Hard To Get Places 12 Bucket Ideal For Trenches Turf Tires MGHT CALL DAVE ALUMINUM LTD AkiBtanSUUg Mad WIndn WorknumNp fiiee Mramum m 8775383 Halton Hills Sewing Machine Vacuum Services cleaner Repair to a makes models Parts and MOORE PARK PLAZA IN HOME SERVICE AVAILABLE CALL 8738196