While Massport cannot eliminate noise at its source, it can neutralize its effects through one of the most extensive soundproofing programs in the country. Massport's Residential Sound Insulation Program to date has soundproofed 9,088 dwelling units, including 4,507 homes, and 36 schools. Since the program began, we have spent $140 million to soundproof dwellings and schools.
Massport helps homeowners by designing and supervising construction work. We provides architects, contractors, acoustical specialists, as well as all materials and labor needed to complete the project. Selective treatment-related acoustical tests are performed before and after the work to make sure the job is done right.
Structural repairs to a dwelling, or routine maintenance and rehabilitation unconnected with noise reduction, are not part of the program; however, typical acoustical treatments involving weatherization and window and door upgrades provide the benefit of energy savings as well.
Window treatments to reduce noise range from simple weather-stripping to full window replacements. Loose-fitting doors might also be corrected with the addition of storm doors and weather-stripping, or replaced with tighter, solid core doors.
In addition to improvements throughout a residence, homeowners can opt to have Massport do extensive improvements to a single room. Extra sound insulation, including acoustically treated exterior walls and ceiling, are then added to this room of preference.
With double wall and ceiling treatments, replacement windows and doors, acoustical caulking and weather stripping, effective soundproofing can reduce perceived noise by as much as 50 percent throughout a house, or by as much as 80 percent in a specially designated room.
The FAA has designated 65 DNL annual contour as the critical threshold for soundproofing eligibility. Massport submits to the FAA for approval a 65 DNL noise contour for a specific year. After FAA approval, Massport uses the 65 DNL contour to determine residential sound proofing eligibility. To be eligible a home must fall within the FAA approved sound exposure map.
To determine if your home is eligible, we encourage you to contact us. Based on the address you provide, we will determine if your home is eligible.
Because noise contours change from year to year, the FAA requires Massport to periodically submit a new sound exposure map for their review and approval. Therefore, eligibility for any particular home may change over time.
The number of homes that are soundproofed in any given year is dependent on the availability of federal grants. The annual 65 DNL is an FAA standard. You may experience noise from Logan-related aircraft but not qualify for soundproofing if you live outside the 65 DNL. While on any given day noise from aircraft may be loud, if it does not reach the 65 DNL threshold on an annual basis you would not be eligible for soundproofing.