Can Window Treatments Help with Soundproofing?

If you’ve ever tried to fall asleep to the hum of traffic, neighbourly arguments, or early morning rubbish collections, you already know how much sound can carry through windows. Noise is a growing issue in many New Zealand homes, especially in urban areas or near busy roads. 

It’s led many homeowners and business owners to ask whether window treatments can actually help reduce the racket. And while no NZ-made blind will turn your bedroom into a sound studio, the right design can muffle external noise, soften echo inside, and make your space feel noticeably more serene.

Today, we’re looking at which options genuinely help, where they’re most effective, and how to choose window blinds that don’t just look good, but sound better too.

How Window Treatments Can Influence Noise Levels

Soundproofing a space isn’t just about thick walls and double glazing. The materials inside a room, including your window coverings, play a major role in how sound behaves. Hard, flat surfaces reflect sound waves, which is why rooms with large windows, tiled floors, and minimal furnishings tend to echo and feel acoustically harsh. Well-chosen window treatments soften these reflections, reduce reverberation, and in some cases, create physical barriers that help block noise from outside.

Window coverings don’t “soundproof” in the technical sense, which typically involves structural changes like acoustic insulation or secondary glazing. But they can make a noticeable impact by:

• Absorbing sound inside the room, reducing echo
• Blocking gaps where noise enters
• Adding mass to the window area, slowing sound transmission
• Creating an air buffer between the glass and the fabric or panel

The effectiveness depends on both the material and the installation. Loose, lightweight curtains won’t help much. But dense, well-fitted NZ-made blinds or solid shutters? That’s where you start hearing, or rather, not hearing, the difference.

The Best Passive Option for Blocking Outside Noise

If you're looking for a high-performance option without major structural renovations, Thermalite shutters are among the best choices available in New Zealand. These shutters are made from a dense, solid synthetic material that mimics the look of timber but offers far better insulation properties, including acoustic insulation. When fully closed, they cover the entire window opening and seal tightly against the frame, which helps block noise from entering through the glass and surrounding gaps.

What makes shutters particularly effective is the combination of:

• Solid core construction, which dampens sound waves
• A snug, frame-mounted fit that eliminates gaps
• An added air buffer between the shutter panel and the glass
• Durability over time — no warping, sagging, or shifting that could compromise the seal

Shutters are especially useful in bedrooms, home offices, or lounge areas where road noise, neighbours, or even barking dogs can be disruptive. They’re also an excellent fit for commercial settings like clinics, meeting rooms, or therapy spaces, where maintaining a quiet environment supports professionalism and client comfort. While not marketed as "soundproof shutters," they offer one of the best passive acoustic upgrades short of actual building work (and they’ll look far better doing it).

Layered Blinds: Making the Most of What You’ve Got

Layering different blind types is an effective strategy for softening noise, especially when full structural soundproofing isn't on the table. While blinds won’t block low-frequency sounds like heavy traffic or bass, they can significantly cut down on mid-to-high frequency noise (the kind that tends to be the most distracting in everyday life).

Here’s what works best from our range:

• Blockout Roller Blinds: These are the heaviest and most substantial blind style we offer. When installed tightly to the window frame or in a recessed mount, they help reduce sound by covering the entire glass surface and limiting gaps where sound can pass through.
• Sunscreen + Blockout Combination: This double roller setup allows you to layer a sheer sunscreen blind behind a heavier blockout blind. During the day, the sunscreen reduces glare and softens exterior noise while still letting in light. At night, drop the blockout layer for better acoustic dampening and privacy.
• Vertical Blinds: While not as dense as roller blockouts, their overlapping slats and adjustable angles help scatter and diffuse sound waves, particularly in larger windows or glass doors. Add heavy drapes or rugs nearby, and the difference is noticeable.
• Timber and Aluminium Venetians: Though they’re more reflective than fabric blinds, fitted tightly and used in combination with soft furnishings, they can contribute to the overall sound-dampening effect. Timber, in particular, offers more mass than aluminium and slightly better sound control.

Where Sound-Reducing Blinds and Shutters Make a Difference

Not every room needs extra acoustic help, but when sound starts interfering with sleep, concentration, or customer experience, the right window treatments can be more than just decorative. Whether it's for a home, hotel, or workspace, knowing where to prioritise sound management helps you get real value out of your blinds or shutters.

• Bedrooms for Light Sleepers: Blockout roller blinds, especially when paired with curtains, help muffle early-morning traffic or noisy neighbours. Shutters go one better, offering both light control and insulation from sound and temperature changes.
• Street-Facing Living Rooms: Layering a sunscreen blind with a blockout roller adds glare control during the day and cuts down on evening noise. It’s also great for privacy and keeping heat out.
• Home Offices: A tightly fitted blockout blind reduces outside distractions during work calls or deep focus. Add soft furnishings to further absorb echo and sharpen sound quality.
• Hotels, B&Bs, Clinics: Acoustic-friendly window treatments support better guest sleep and client privacy. Shutters or layered blinds show attention to comfort and professionalism without overcomplicating the fit-out.
• Open-Plan Living Areas: Spaces with tiles or minimal décor often echo. Vertical blinds or timber Venetians help diffuse sound when paired with rugs or upholstery, offering control without compromising the open layout.

Need an Expert Opinion? 

Noise might be part of modern life, but that doesn’t mean it has to follow you indoors. Whether you’re trying to sleep, focus, or just enjoy some peace, the right window treatments can help bring the volume down. No, they won’t block every sound. But they can make your space noticeably calmer, more comfortable, and far more liveable.

If you're not sure where to start, that’s where we come in. At Total Look Blinds, we’ll help you find the best solution, tailored to your space and the way you live.