Noise-Reducing Blinds – Improve Comfort & Cut Down Outside Noise
🏡 Noise-Reducing Blinds – Cut Down Outside Noise
If you live near a busy road, a railway line, or simply have noisy neighbours, the right window blinds can make a real difference. While no blind will fully soundproof a room, certain materials and fitting styles can significantly reduce outside noise and help create a calmer, more relaxing environment.
In this guide, we explore the best made-to-measure blinds for noise reduction — focusing on smart design choices that dampen sound. You’ll also find advice on combining blinds with other treatments, such as curtains or shutters, for even better results.
✅ Feature Highlights
• ✔ Helps reduce external noise from roads, railways, and neighbours
• ✔ Duette® Honeycomb blinds reduce sound effectively
• ✔ Available in Free-Hanging, Perfect Fit, Intu and tensioned styles
• ✔ Real Wooden Venetian blinds assist in reducing sound
• ✔ Can be combined with curtains for even greater noise reduction
• ✔ Custom-made in a wide range of colours and finishes
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(4th to 31st May)
🔊 How Blinds Reduce Noise – The Basics
When sound travels through your windows, it moves in waves. Some materials reflect those waves, while others absorb or block them. The goal of noise-reducing blinds is to disrupt the sound’s path — by absorbing vibrations, trapping air, or adding an extra physical barrier.
It’s similar to how insulation or double glazing works: by adding layers, soft materials, and air pockets, you can drastically reduce how much noise makes it into your home.
It’s worth noting that blinds only reduce noise when fully closed. If the slats or gaps are open, sound can travel straight through — a common misunderstanding, especially with Venetian or shutter-style blinds.
🐝 Duette® Free-Hanging Honeycomb Blinds
Best for Absorption
Duette® blinds, also known as honeycomb blinds, are our top recommendation for acoustic performance. Their unique cellular structure traps air within each layer, acting as a cushion that absorbs and diffuses some of the sound.
Free-hanging honeycomb blinds are particularly effective because they sit in front of the window — creating an air gap between the blind and the glass. This reduces the “bridging” effect where sound transmits through the window frame.
Key Benefits:
- Excellent sound absorption due to air-filled honeycomb pockets
- Sits in front of the window to block more airborne noise
- Also improves thermal insulation for better energy efficiency
- Available in light-filtering and blackout fabrics
Things to Consider:
- Must be fully closed to achieve full acoustic benefit
- Operates as up/down only – no slat tilt function
🧲 Duette® in Perfect Fit, Intu & Tensioned
Neat Fit, Moderate Absorption
While free-hanging Duette® blinds offer the best sound absorption, tensioned, Perfect Fit, and Intu styles are also effective at reducing noise — especially when used as part of a layered window treatment.
These systems fit directly into the window frame or bead, making them ideal for tilt-and-turn windows, patio doors, or conservatories where a traditional blind isn’t practical. They still use the same honeycomb fabric as free-hanging Duette® blinds, which absorbs and dampens sound within its air pockets.
However, because these styles sit against the glass, there’s less of an air gap — meaning slightly less sound absorption than with free-hanging versions. That said, they remain a popular and stylish solution for reducing everyday noise, especially when paired with curtains or a secondary blind.
Key Benefits:
- Compact, fuss-free fit integatated with you windows or doors
- Air pockets within the fabric still absorb some sound and reduce echo
- Excellent for doors, conservatories, and modern uPVC frames
- Available in a range of thermal and blackout fabrics
- Can be combined with curtains or Roman blinds for improved performance
Things to Consider:
- Slightly less effective than free-hanging blinds due to proximity to glass
- Must be fully closed to achieve acoustic benefit
- Tilt/raise/lower functionality depends on the specific system used
👉 Pair with lined curtains or a Roman blind for layered noise control
🪡 Roman Blinds
Style and Softness with Acoustic Benefits
Roman blinds are an elegant window covering with practical sound-reducing properties. Their folded fabric layers help to absorb airborne noise, making them an excellent choice for bedrooms, lounges, and home offices.
To maximise their acoustic performance, Roman blinds can be made with a blackout lining or a thermal interlining, which adds weight and density to the fabric — both key in reducing noise transmission.
They’re also ideal for layering with other treatments, such as Duette® Honeycomb or Perfect Fit blinds, to enhance both insulation and sound dampening.
Key Benefits:
- Soft fabric naturally absorbs and muffles outside sound
- Optional interlining improves both acoustic and thermal performance
- Wide range of styles, colours, and fabric weights available
- Ideal for layering with other blind types
Things to Consider:
- Not as effective as honeycomb or shutter solutions for high-noise areas
- Fabric must be kept fully closed to maximise benefit
🪟 Curtains
Best for Layering and Full Coverage
Curtains remain one of the most effective and versatile options for reducing unwanted noise. Heavier fabrics, especially when combined with acoustic interlining or blackout lining, act as a powerful sound-absorbing barrier.
They are especially effective when fitted floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall, as this eliminates gaps through which sound can travel. Curtains can be combined with Duette® Honeycomb, Perfect Fit, or Roman blinds to further enhance acoustic performance while providing greater control over light and privacy.
Key Benefits:
- Excellent at absorbing airborne sound and reducing echo
- Can be layered over blinds for dual-purpose insulation
- Ideal for large windows, bay windows, and patio doors
- Range of heading styles and fabrics to suit any room
Things to Consider:
- Works best when installed to fully cover the window space
- Regular maintenance required to keep fabric fresh
🪵 Plantation Shutters
Solid Barrier with Sound Resistance
While this page focuses on blinds, it’s worth noting that Plantation Shutters can also reduce noise — particularly when made from certain materials.
Shutters act as a rigid physical barrier, reflecting and absorbing sound waves when fully closed. The most effective acoustic shutters tend to be those with lightweight wooden slats, such as our Sark range, which absorb more vibration than denser, heavier woods.
Our Alderney ABS slat range can also reduce some sound in the same way as the slats are hollow.
Key Benefits:
- Rigid Panels block path and reflects external noise
- Lightweight wood absorbs vibration better than dense materials
- Also improves thermal insulation
- Stylish and permanent fixture that adds property value
Things to Consider:
- Must be fully closed to block noise effectively
- Slats left open will allow sound to pass through
🌓 Shutter & Shade
Dual Solution for Maximum Insulation
Our Shutter & Shade system combines the strength of shutters with the added benefit of an integrated blackout blind. This built-in layer creates a powerful barrier that can reduce both noise and light, making it a great option for bedrooms and nurseries.
While originally designed for blackout performance, the extra lining layer also dampens sound, especially when fully closed. This setup offers one of the best combinations of style, insulation, and acoustic control.
Key Benefits:
- Double layer provides enhanced sound and light reduction
- Great for shift workers or light sleepers in noisy areas
- Suitable for sash, casement, and bay windows
- Available in various materials and finishes
Things to Consider:
- Best used where full closure is practical (e.g. bedrooms)
- Slightly higher investment than standard shutters
📞 Need Help Choosing the Right Noise-Reducing Blinds?
Our expert team can help you choose the best window coverings to reduce outside noise in your home. Whether you’re near a busy road or simply want a more peaceful environment, we’ll guide you through the most effective options — including Duette® honeycomb blinds, Roman blinds, and layering solutions with curtains or shutters.
👉 Book a Free Consultation Today
📍 Visit our Wokingham Showroom
📞 Call us on 0118 324 0433 for personalised advice
Explore our Made to Measure Blinds page for more insights into what’s possible.
Do blinds really help with noise reduction?
Yes, certain blinds — especially Duette® honeycomb blinds and Roman blinds — can reduce external noise by partially absorbing sound waves. While they won’t soundproof a room completely, they can make a noticeable difference.
Which blinds are best for reducing noise?
Free-hanging Duette® honeycomb blinds are among the best for sound absorption, thanks to their air-filled cellular structure. Roman blinds with interlining and Real Wood Venetian blinds also offer good acoustic performance.
Are Perfect Fit or Intu blinds effective at reducing noise?
Yes, they can help reduce noise, particularly when made with honeycomb fabrics. However, because they sit directly against the window glass, they are slightly less effective than free-hanging options.
Can I use curtains with blinds to improve noise control?
Absolutely. Layering curtains over blinds (such as Duette® Honeycomb or Roman blinds) enhances both sound and thermal insulation. Floor-length, lined curtains work especially well in noisy areas.
Do shutters reduce noise as well?
Yes, particularly when fully closed. Lightweight wood shutters like the Sark range absorb more sound, while shutter systems with built-in blinds (like Shutter & Shade) provide even greater sound insulation.
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