Product Solutions For Home Noise Pollution
Controlling household noise is not just for homeowners whose pocketbooks speak the loudest

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. June 29, 2007 — There’s an increasing clamor over all things quiet, according to a recent article in The New York Times that points to the strong desire for the sound of silence by homeowners. 

With spacious floor plans, more electronics and high demand for surfaces that tend to reverberate sound, such as wood floors and tile, noise is a bigger issue than ever in new homes. But according to experts, silencing the home is not simple business. Costly sound treatments, such as upgrading insulation, adding wall density and even hanging acoustical panels, are effective but come with a price tag that’s anything but music to most ears.

Companies such as JELD-WEN, the world’s leading manufacturer of windows and doors, offer simple and less costly ways to help reduce, if not eliminate, many common household sounds that tend to flow from room to room. According to company experts, when it comes to shutting out sound, interior doors are typically homeowners’ first line of defense. Upgrading them is a good common-sense step prior to undertaking more elaborate sound-reducing measures.

For a few hundred dollars, replacing interior doors with the latest sound-reducing technology can drastically help control noise. JELD-WEN’s ProCore® The Quiet Door®, a molded fiber interior door is up to 50 percent quieter compared to a hollow door. It also delivers the heft of a wood door and is available in a wide variety of stylish designs. 

“Many homeowners complain about noise, but have the same flush hollow-core doors that originally came with their house. These doors do next to nothing when it comes to shutting out sound. Worse yet, the lightweight feel and the basic look of these doors can be an assault on senses beyond just sound considerations,” said Kevin Pine, JELD-WEN product marketing manager.

Other lower-cost tips for instilling peace and quiet in the home includes testing the sound emission of appliances and household items such as vacuums before purchasing them. Many sound-reducing models cost no more than other new versions, but won’t significantly contribute to household noise. Experts also say that at least 25 percent of noisy rooms should have sound-absorbing materials like carpet or furniture to prevent noisy footsteps from carrying throughout the home. Finally, consider designating a “quiet” zone, such as a spa-like retreat in the bathroom or a meditation area that is located away from the highest home traffic areas.

About JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN, inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors. Based in Klamath Falls, Ore., JELD-WEN began as a small Oregon millwork plant in 1960 and has grown into a company with nearly 150 divisions and more than 20,000 employees worldwide. JELD-WEN is the official window, door and millwork provider of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour, Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS and title sponsor of the
 JELD-WEN Tradition. JELD-WEN was the only window or door manufacturer to be named 2003 ENERGY STAR® “Partner of the Year” by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Eleven JELD-WEN® product lines and all windows and doors constructed with AuraLast® wood have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. JELD-WEN windows and doors have been honored by numerous consumer and industry publications. In 2005, JELD-WEN® Custom Fiberglass exterior doors received a Consumers Digest Best Buy rating.

For more information about the exceptional value and reliability of JELD-WEN products, or to find a dealer near you, please visit www.jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482.