HOME INTERIORS : Lower the Boom on Noise With Modifications

Open floor plans are popular because they give the feeling of spaciousness and bring family activities together. They also bring together the whir of the exhaust fan, the roar of the television and the clang of the dishwasher.

The noise level in these open areas can be reduced with careful planning and wise selections of appliances, flooring and furniture. Following are some suggestions for keeping the noise down:

* Modify the floor plan. The more turns sound makes and the farther it travels, the quieter it becomes. Adding nooks and bends and varying ceiling and floor levels will deflect the sound. For instance, if the television is around a corner from the kitchen work center, the noises from those areas will not interfere with each other as easily.

Also, installing a special sound deadening wallboard behind drywall absorbs sound. These wall boards can also be used in the ceilings and floors.

* Silencing appliances. Appliances are notorious noisemakers. When shopping for appliances, look for models with sound control. For example, dishwashers that offer quieter operation feature extra insulation, sound barriers in the doors and quiet motor design. Some food-waste disposers are wrapped with insulation for quieter operation. Before making a purchase, ask to hear the appliance running.

When installing the dishwasher, wrap it with fiberglass to reduce noise. Trash compactors and disposals should be installed with a perimeter strip-type gasket or with rubber spacers to isolate vibrations. Flexible plastic and rubber hoses also minimize the transfer of vibrations.

The larger, heavier appliances--such as refrigerators, washing machines and dryers--transfer vibrations to the supporting floor, creating additional noise. You can isolate these vibrations from the floor by placing rubber pads under the appliances’ legs or corners. To prevent wall vibrations, allow at least two inches of space between the appliance and the wall.

Some potential noisemakers, such as exhaust fans, have a numerical rating--the lower the number, the quieter the blower. For an even quieter fan, purchase one with a larger capacity than you need, and plan to run it on the medium setting, which usually produces less noise. Mounting the exhaust fan outside the house and securing the ductwork by boxing it in tightly with plywood also helps. Use rubber mounts when you install the fan to reduce noise generated from vibrations.

The noise of countertop appliances, such as a food processor or blender, can be lessened by rubber or cloth pads placed beneath them.

* Quiet the cabinetry. Hard cabinet surfaces, such as laminate, metal and wood, all reflect kitchen sounds. Minimize the noise of clanging dishware by installing rubber or cork tile on the shelves and back faces of cabinets. Soft rubber or cork bumpers on the inside edges of doors make the closing of cabinet doors quieter.

* Choose sound-absorbing furnishings. The choices you make in furnishings and building materials in the family room will also affect the noise level. Upholstered furniture and drapes will help cushion noise. For flooring, wood absorbs more noise than vinyl, tile or stone, but carpet is even better. If you want a hard-surface floor, add area rugs to soften the noise.