
Noise Reducing Blinds
Buyer's Guides
Noise Reducing Blinds
January 14, 2021
by Hunter Douglas
While window coverings alone can’t make your home soundproof, they can absorb noise coming through the window and help reduce exterior noise.
Your neighbor’s dog is barking again. Or you live on a busy street and constantly hear traffic noise.
No matter whether you’re trying to enjoy your morning coffee in peace, work from your home office or get a good’s night sleep, these outside sounds regularly interfere.
One solution? Sound absorbing window treatments.
While window treatments alone can’t make your home soundproof, all window treatments can absorb some level of sound, helping reduce exterior noise.
Do Soundproof Blinds Actually Exist?
Not in the literal sense. No window covering will soundproof a room. And among window treatments, hard-slat blinds do the least for noise, because rigid slats leave gaps between them, and sound travels through gaps.
That doesn't mean blinds are the wrong choice. If you love the look, the most effective approach is to layer them with a soft treatment, which is where most of the sound absorption comes from anyway. If quiet is the priority above all else, a fabric-based shade will outperform any blind.
Here's what actually works, in order.

Insulate Your Windows from Heat and Sound
Because of their honeycomb design, cellular shades can insulate your windows not only from heat and cold but also from outside noise. Duette® Honeycomb Shades, for example, absorb up to 70% of sound energy, creating a quieter, more tranquil room.

Luminette® Vertical Sheers, Voyant Fabric in Daylight
Other Noise Reducing Window Shades
If you live on a highly traveled road or in a busy city, you might consider Roman shades for dampening sound. In addition to bringing a traditional look to your home, their heavier fabric adds a sound absorbing layer. You’ll find Roman shades in many sumptuous fabrics, colors and opacities, for a style that suits any room in your home.
For Romans with a twist, look to Vignette® Modern Roman Shades. Choose from soft and full or crisp and flat fold styles, in luxurious sheer, light-filtering and room-darkening opacities.
Combining Window Treatments for Added Noise Cancelling
If your goal is to reduce outside sounds as much as possible, consider combining window treatments. Pairing side panels or drapery over blinds or shades doesn't just provide greater sound absorption, it also adds depth and dimension to the window.
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