Most homeowners spend countless hours selecting home entertainment systems that carefully replicate the movie theater experience. And, while the audio and visual components are the stars of the home theater, their full effect can be diminished without proper acoustical control. After all, the quality of sound and the visual experience go hand-in-hand in a well-thought out media room.
For the best media room design, you should consider the noise within the theater as well as sound from outside sources. For example:
- Will late-night watching keep other family members in adjacent rooms from getting a good night’s sleep?
- Does running a vacuum outside of the theater room, detract from your movie viewing experience?
These can be easily resolved by adjusting the design of your media room.
- Noise-dampening drywall and accessories
- Use acoustic drywall on interior ceilings and walls to reduce the transmission of sound between the home theater and adjoining rooms. It also helps balance sound absorption and reflection, maximizing your investment in audio equipment.
- Use acoustical sealant to eliminate sound leaks
- Carpets and Rugs
- While hard wood floors are popular in contemporary homes, they are a common culprit of echoes and poor acoustics. In home theater rooms, large rugs or carpet are the best option for overall comfort in the space.
- If windows are present, sound-masking shades or curtains will enhance the audio experience.
The bottom line is that incorporating the right wall and ceiling materials, along with the right interior décor, into your media room design can make a major difference. Luckily, creating a sound-buffered oasis in your home media room can be easily achieved.
