Are you planning to have your own record studio, a home theatre, a study room or a room where you can relax? Worrying about the noise might disturb you or your neighbor? No worries! Soundproofing your ceiling or wall is easy but you have to put a lot of effort and it also needs a bit of your time and skill. There are plenty of ways to soundproof your ceiling, one of these are to:

1.       Put a Carpet on the upper floor or on the ceiling. Putting a Mass loaded Vinyl will definitely reduce the vibration/noise from above. You should totally sealed by nailing it to the joists. But if you are in a tight budget and buying MLV will cost you, you can also install thick rubber matting under the carpet.

2. Soundproof Drywall. Adding drywall in your ceiling will also help reducing noise from above. To be more effective, you should fill insulation to the gap between joists then adding another layer of regular drywall and all the gaps should be properly sealed.

3.       Adding Sound-absorbing panels. These panels are normally seen in the walls in the cinema. The main purpose of these panels is to keep the sound waves from bouncing off the untreated wall surfaces. If you are planning to buy these panels, it is available in some hardware stores or if you don’t have a budget you can actually create your own sound-absorbing panels.

These ways can be expensive or not depending in the size of your ceiling or walls. With the help of a professional, these ways can be more effective. Just remember that these ways will just reduce the unwanted noises and it will not totally remove it.  If you have other effective way to block the noise, you can share it with us by leaving a comment below.

During the warmer months, we generally enjoy spending time outdoors whether it is on the patio, porch, veranda, or in the gazebo. While a breeze might be nice, there is not always one available to take the edge off the heat. Since it is impractical to drag the air conditioning outside, many people choose to install outdoor ceiling fans to enjoy the best that the warm summer days have to offer. It is worth mentioning that a well placed ceiling fan can help a space feel up to four or five degrees cooler.

Outdoor ceiling fans are designed to be used in all your outdoor spaces. However, before you run out and purchase one for your outdoor space, you will need to consider a few things first.

Basically, there are two types of contemporary ceiling fans designed for use outdoors – wet rated ceiling fans and damp rated ceiling fans. Damp rated ceiling fans are not designed to be exposed to elements such rain or snow. They are best used in enclosed outdoor areas like covered patios, screened porches, and enclosed gazebos. Though they may be exposed to humidity, they are not to be directly exposed to the elements.

On the other hand, wet rated ceiling fans can handle exposure to the elements and continue to operate just fine. Even when subjected to steady rain, snow, and sleet, they will continue to function as intended. Thus, when you are shopping for your new outdoor fan, be sure to consider where you will be installing it.

Outdoor Ceiling Fans vs. Indoor Ceiling Fans

You will likely notice when you are shopping for your new fan that outdoor ceiling fans have better finishes and tend to be sturdier than fans designed for indoor spaces. This is because outdoor fans are expected to endure the elements on a daily basis. Finishes are designed to resist rust and corrosion. You will also notice that the motor casings for outdoor ceiling fans are water tight. They also include compression fittings, sealants, and o-rings that are not present on indoor models. In addition, the blades of most outdoor fans are constructed of ABS plastic and are completely waterproof.

Indoor fans are designed for use in areas where there is low humidity. Exposing a fan designed for indoor use to the elements will quickly wear down the motor and bearings. Though the fan may appear fine physically, you may begin to notice noise from a once silent fan. Eventually, the fan will stop working altogether.

Although outdoor ceiling fans are designed to withstand tough weather, they do have their limit. If you live near the sea, you will find that the life span of your outdoor fan is shortened quite a bit. Though wear and tear can be somewhat minimized with regular cleaning, the salt air will eventually corrode the metal parts of the fan causing it to fail. Therefore, lifespan of outdoor ceiling fans installed in these type climates tends to be only around 10 years or so.