Noise-reducing curtains for apartments: the complete room-by-room guide
Noise in an apartment comes from different sources depending on the room: traffic and horns in the street-facing bedroom (65 to 80 dB), neighbors' voices in the living room next to a party wall (40 to 60 dB), and hallway noise through the front door (50 to 70 dB). A high-density noise-reducing curtain attenuates 18 to 22 dB on windows and doors, which is the difference between disturbing noise and barely perceptible background sound.
The key to effective results: identify where the noise in YOUR apartment comes from, then install the right curtain in the right place. This guide helps you diagnose your noise sources room by room and choose the appropriate curtain configuration for each situation.
Step 1: Diagnose where the noise in your apartment comes from
Before buying a curtain, precisely identify where the noise enters. Sound always takes the path of least resistance. In an apartment, acoustic weak points are ranked by importance:
| Noise entry point | Type of noise | Typical level | Is the curtain effective? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Traffic, horns, construction, street voices | 65-80 dB | YES, very effective (18-22 dB*) |
| Front door | Hallway conversations, elevator, slamming | 50-70 dB | YES, very effective (18-22 dB*) |
| Party wall | Voices, TV, neighbor's music | 40-60 dB | NO (sound passes through the wall, not the window) |
| Ceiling/floor | Footsteps, impacts, furniture moving | 50-70 dB (impact) | NO (impact noise, not airborne) |
| Ducts and pipes | Draining, flushing, ventilation | 30-50 dB | NO (structural transmission) |
Simple test: close all windows and listen. Does the noise significantly decrease? It mainly comes from outside → a soundproof curtain on the windows is the solution. Does the noise remain the same with closed windows? It comes from the walls, ceiling, or ducts → the curtain alone will not be enough; it needs to be combined with other solutions. For a complete guide on all solutions, see our article apartment soundproofing without renovation: 5 solutions.
Step 2: Choose the right curtain according to the noise source
Street noise (traffic, horns, construction): soundproof curtain on windows
This is the most common case and where the curtain is most effective. Windows are responsible for approximately 40% of an apartment's sound loss (ADEME source). A custom-made soundproof curtain weighing 620 g/m² attenuates noise by 22 dB*: a busy street at 70 dB drops to 48 dB, below the threshold of a normal conversation.
Optimal configuration:
- 1 curtain per window exposed to noise (no need to equip windows facing a quiet courtyard)
- Overlap of 15 to 20 cm on each side of the window
- Floor-length (2 to 3 cm maximum clearance)
- Curtain rod positioned at least 10 cm above the frame
Budget: 80 to 350 euros per window depending on dimensions. A 3-room apartment with 2 street-facing windows: 160 to 700 euros.
Hallway noise (neighbors, elevator, doors): soundproof curtain on the front door
The front door is often the forgotten acoustic weak point. A standard 40 mm door with worn seals lets in 30 to 40 dB more noise than a wall: hallway conversations, slamming doors, and elevator noise freely infiltrate.
A custom-made noise-reducing curtain placed in front of the door attenuates noise by 22 dB*. Hallway conversations at 65 dB drop to 43 dB: a distant, barely perceptible murmur.
Optimal configuration:
- Overlap of 20 to 30 cm on each side of the door frame (wider than for a window)
- Floor contact (1 to 2 cm excess)
- Rod projection: 10 to 15 cm from the wall to avoid obstructing opening
- Grommets recommended for smooth daily handling
Budget: 80 to 250 euros. Consult our detailed guide on soundproof curtains for front doors.
Neighbor's noise through the wall: the curtain is not enough (but it helps)
Let's be honest: a curtain placed on a window does not block noise passing through a party wall. These are two different acoustic paths. For neighbor noise through the wall, solutions include: heavy furniture against the wall (5 to 10 dB), acoustic panels (20 to 50% reverberation reduction), glued cork (5 to 8 dB).
But the curtain helps indirectly in 2 cases:
- Neighbor noise also comes through the hallway and your door: the curtain on the front door blocks this path (22 dB*).
- Noise from the neighbor opposite comes through their open window and enters yours: the soundproof curtain on your window reduces this indirect transmission.
For a complete guide on neighbor noise, see our article party wall soundproofing without renovation.
Step 3: Room by room guide
Street-facing bedroom: absolute priority
This is the room where noise has the most impact on your health. The WHO recommends less than 30 dB for sleep. A busy street at 70 dB with a 22 dB* soundproof curtain results in 48 dB: still above the WHO threshold, but sufficient for significantly improved sleep. Combined with new seals (+3 to 5 dB), the noise drops to 43-45 dB: close to comfort.
Bedroom bonus: the 620 g/m² Kurtens curtain also blocks 100% of light* (total blackout for sleep) and insulates against cold/heat (up to 7 °C gain*). Three problems solved by a single item in front of the window.
Street-facing living room: daily living comfort
The living room tolerates more noise than the bedroom (comfort threshold: 40 to 50 dB according to the WHO). But a street at 75 dB makes conversations and television difficult. The soundproof curtain reduces the noise to 53 dB: comfortable for daily life.
For living rooms with bay windows, custom-made is essential: the large glass surface lets in proportionally more noise. Consult our custom bay window curtain collection.
Office / remote work: concentration and video calls
Remote work requires an environment of 35 to 45 dB for concentration (NF S31-080 standard for offices). A soundproof curtain on the street-facing window reduces noise to a level compatible with screen work and video calls. As a bonus, 100% blackout* allows control of backlighting during video conferences.
Entrance / hallway: the front door as a first shield
In old buildings with resonant hallways and noisy stairwells, a curtain on the front door is the best investment in terms of quality/impact. This is often the easiest noise source to treat (a single curtain, a single rod) for immediate gain.
Which noise-reducing curtain to choose according to your budget
| Budget | Recommended configuration | Estimated attenuation | Rooms treated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80-250 € | 1 custom curtain on the bedroom window OR the front door | 22 dB* on 1 opening | The most critical room |
| 250-500 € | 2 curtains: bedroom + front door | 22 dB* on 2 openings | Bedroom + entrance |
| 500-1,000 € | 3-4 curtains: all street-facing windows + door | 22 dB* on each opening | The entire street-facing apartment |
| 1,000-1,500 € | All openings + new seals + door bottom | 25-27 dB cumulative per opening | Complete soundproofing without renovation |
Priority if budget is limited: start with the room where noise bothers you most (usually the bedroom). A single well-placed curtain already significantly improves comfort. You can equip other rooms gradually.
The most common mistake: buying a too light curtain
The market is flooded with curtains labeled "noise-reducing" or "soundproof" between 20 and 60 euros. These products weigh 150 to 300 g/m² and only attenuate 5 to 7 dB: a difference your ear barely perceives. This is the main source of negative reviews ("the curtain doesn't change anything about the noise").
Real performance thresholds:
- 150-300 g/m²: 5-7 dB. Blocks light, not noise. Unsuitable for soundproofing.
- 300-500 g/m²: 12-18 dB. Perceptible improvement. Mid-range (Moondream: 16 dB max).
- 500+ g/m²: 18-25 dB. Real insulation, comparable to a closed interior door. Kurtens curtains: 620 g/m², 22 dB measured*.
To understand what decibels represent, see our article what 30 dB attenuation really means. For a detailed guide to selection criteria, see soundproof insulating curtain: how to choose the right model.
*Data from tests conducted under optimal conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a noise-reducing curtain enough to soundproof an apartment?
The curtain addresses windows and doors, which account for about 40% of noise entry points in a home. For complete soundproofing, you need to combine: soundproof curtain on windows and door (22 dB*), new window seals (+3-5 dB), heavy furniture against the party wall (5-10 dB), thick carpets on the floor for impact noise (10-20 dB). The curtain alone does not treat walls or the ceiling.
Which room should I start with for noise insulation?
Start with the bedroom if noise disrupts your sleep (most significant health impact), or with the front door if hallway noise is the main source. A single well-placed curtain (80-250 euros) significantly improves comfort. You can equip other rooms gradually according to your budget.
How many curtains are needed for a 3-room apartment?
It depends on the number of noise-facing openings. Typical configuration: 2 street-facing windows + 1 front door = 3 curtains (240-750 euros). If only one window faces the street, 1 window curtain + 1 door curtain = 2 curtains are enough (160-500 euros). No need to equip windows facing a quiet courtyard.
Does a noise-reducing curtain work with an open window?
No. The curtain must be drawn and completely cover the opening to be effective. With an open window, sound passes directly through the opening, and the curtain has almost no effect. This is an inherent limitation of any textile soundproofing solution. In summer, the strategy is: windows open at night for ventilation, curtain closed + windows closed during the day when noise is maximal.
How do I know if my noise problem comes from windows or walls?
Simple test: close all windows and listen. If the noise significantly decreases, it mainly comes from outside through the windows: the curtain is the solution. If the noise remains almost identical with closed windows, it passes through the walls, ceiling, or ducts: the curtain alone will not be enough; it needs to be combined with heavy furniture against the wall and acoustic panels.
What is the budget to soundproof an apartment without renovation?
Minimum effective budget: 80-250 euros (1 curtain on the most critical window or door). Complete budget for a 3-room apartment: 500-1,500 euros (all street-facing openings + door + new seals). Compare this to soundproofing through renovation (wall lining + window replacement): 10,000-30,000 euros. The curtain offers the best cost/effectiveness ratio without renovation.
Does a noise-reducing curtain also insulate against cold and light?
The best multi-layer models do. A 620 g/m² Kurtens curtain combines 22 dB of sound attenuation*, 100% blackout*, and up to 7 °C thermal gain*. This is a decisive advantage for a bedroom: a single curtain solves noise, light, and temperature issues, instead of three separate pieces of equipment.
Other curtain tips
Discover our latest articles
