FEATURE: AUTUMN & WINTER PREP
MAKE A HAPPY HOME WITH NEW SEASON SOUND DESIGN
Experts from Quiet Mark, the international certification programme associated with the UK Noise Abatement Society charitable foundation, offer tips and recommend essential products for getting a home acoustically ready for a peaceful autumn/winter season.
E
verything about autumn is perfect, and nothing says autumn more than brisk walks in the park where the
rays of sunshine meet with the cool breeze, wholesome family dining and cosy nights wrapped up in your favourite blanket. However, the blaze of autumn glory also brings with it the arrival of colder weather, shutting of windows and more time spent indoors. It’s also a prelude to the back to school rush, return to the office and a preparation in welcoming the winter season. So here are our top tips to get a home autumn ready on the quiet.
Deep clean your home The beginning of autumn is a great time to get things sorted around the home. Just as with the usual spring clean, autumn cleaning is an opportunity to go back to basics and undertaking those tasks that don’t get done as frequently. These can include dusting, removing cobwebs, cleaning windows, washing curtains and deep cleaning carpets.
For a quiet vacuum with continuous runtime, take a look at the Bosch BCS8224GB Series 8 Unlimited Gen2 Vacuum Cleaner. If can clean an entire house thanks to exchangeable battery packs in combination with a quick charger.
Prepare your garden for autumn Autumn is the perfect time of the year to prepare your lawn for the colder months ahead. According to Stihl, you should plan to mow your lawn before the first frost, ideally on a dry day some time between end-October and mid-November. Grass should be cut short (around 5cm-9cm) and any leaves should be removed in order to reduce the risk of fungus taking hold. The Stihl RMA 235 is ideal for
gardens up to an area of 200m². It has a folding, height-adjustable handlebar for easy storage, an integrated carrying handle and a deck made of high impact, heat and UV resistant polymer. It also features their innovative grass catcher box – with vents that face downward, grass or dust cannot escape upwards and
12 DIY WEEK SEPTEMBER 2023
Stihl RMA 235 COMPACT Cordless Lawnmower
Bosch BCS8224GB Series 8 Unlimited Gen2 Vacuum Cleaner
BASWA Phon Acoustic Plaster System
air flow is maximised to collect as much grass as possible.
Transform your space “Having natural wood furniture in your home partnered with green accessories or wall paint can bring that outdoor feeling inside,” says interior designer Rebecca West. Quiet Mark certified WoodUpp Akupanel is an acoustic wooden slat wall panel which invites the beauty and calming essence of nature into homes and workplaces. Creating a new era of design, WoodUpp use sustainable materials to produce their products. Studies have shown houseplants to be good for our health and our psyche, so bringing nature into your home can help boost your happiness, creativity and focus
Choose warm lighting According to The Simplicity Habit, “the way you illuminate your space can have a huge impact on how it feels”. Warm white light for example, contains more orange, red and yellow tones, which creates a more cosy setting.
BuzziSpace have developed a wide range of pendant lights, floor lamps and chandeliers, where light, acoustics and aesthetics work in harmony. The BuzziSpace BuzziJet Acoustic Pendant Lighting for example, with its geometric design, creates a sense of serenity. Its aerodynamic design offers sound-absorbing capabilities, delivering acoustic comfort paired with a powerful light source that emits warm, pleasant light.
Breathe easy We spend around 90% of our time indoors, yet indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outside. That’s because indoor air is made up of a concoction of particles including dust, mould, smoke, bacteria, viruses, VOCs and pet dander.
Other indoor activities, such as cooking and cleaning with chemicals, contribute to poor indoor air quality along with outdoor pollution from transport that makes its way inside. Using electrons to trigger chemical
reactions with air borne particles, Daikin’s MC30YB Air Purifier Flash Streamer breaks down allergens such as pollen and fungal allergens and removes bothersome odours providing a better, cleaner air.
Create a spa bathroom There’s nothing better than soaking in a hot bath on a cold and rainy autumn day. Turn your bathroom into a space that leaves you feeling both pampered and relaxed. Recreate a spa-like environment with soothing sounds, minimal clutter and calming elements such as candles and your favourite book. According to Spa Executive, sound has a profound effect on your spa and wellness experience. Nature sounds such as birdsong for example, can help improve health, lower stress and boost your mood. Upgrading some fixtures can help minimise noise. Look for products that are Quiet Mark certified, such as the GROHE Rapid SLX installation
WoodUpp Akupanel Decorative Wood Acoustic Panels
GROHE Rapid SLX installation system for wall-hung toilets
system for wall-hung toilets, Mira Elite SE Dual Outlet Pumped Electric Shower and S&P Silent Dual Extractor Fans.
What is Quiet Mark?
Quiet Mark is the international certification programme associated with the UK Noise Abatement Society charitable foundation (est. 1959). Conducting expert acoustic testing and verification of products Quiet Mark has over the past 10 years driven change in manufacturing worldwide to prioritise noise reduction within the design of everyday machines, appliances, technologies and house build materials, creating the first one-stop platform for third-party approved noise reduction solutions for every living space to health and well-being.
For more information, visit
www.quietmark.com.
www.diyweek.net
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