Reducing noise from neighbours

[Psycho Sonny]

If you can't afford a detached property then put up with the fact you will be able to hear your neighbors. I did also suggest that you look at older properties with thicker walls.

Trying to soundproof an already built structure is nigh on impossible without spending tens of thousands which would be better spent on moving.

The cheapest way would be timber frame with polystyrene insulation then plasterboard. Skim plaster to finish. Your also going to have to find a way to soundproof the ceilings and flooring which won't be cheap. I know a purpose built building that spent £100k on soundproofing yet it still had issues with sound traveling above and below as they focused on the partition only.

 

[Angilion]

If you can't afford a detached property then put up with the fact you will be able to hear your neighbors. I did also suggest that you look at older properties with thicker walls.

My reply was equally relevant to both, since both are impossible for me. Older properties with thicker walls very often are detached, anyway. Older terraced houses generally don't have thick interior walls. Like the older terraced house I live in, for example. Built ~1900.

Trying to soundproof an already built structure is nigh on impossible without spending tens of thousands which would be better spent on moving.

The cheapest way would be timber frame with polystyrene insulation then plasterboard. Skim plaster to finish. Your also going to have to find a way to soundproof the ceilings and flooring which won't be cheap. I know a purpose built building that spent £100k on soundproofing yet it still had issues with sound traveling above and below as they focused on the partition only.

That's true, but I'm not trying to soundproof my house.

 

[Solus]

I live in a 1960's ex council and can hear everything. I did think buying these houses would have given good sound proofing properties, but I think a new build would be better due to the insulation they have to pile in to them.

Things getting better as the neighbour's kids are growing up though.

 

[Mercenary Keyboard Warrior]

I hadn't thought of that, so thanks for the idea. The problem that comes to mind is that if I'm playing background noise loud enough to overcome noise from my neighbours then I'm going to be a noise nuisance for them and I don't want that.

You will be surprised, my Ipad was on around half volume on bedside cabinet, if you go white noise it would be even less noticeable, its like the sound you get on a plane
But I preferred the stormy type sounds as I like listening to them in bed in a dark room when we get a storm for me it was just the same
It actually became habit forming as well, i would often drop off so quickly! Plus on the apps etc you can set a time, eg 30 mins and then it will switch off

 

[psd99]

you won't know how it will be with the new neighbors.

give it time and if it gets out of control then have a friendly chat with them but do it very soon as you begin to get agitated. Don't let it wait. A friendly chat here would be the best option then throw in some controlled anger if they don't listen. The squeaky wheel gets the grease

 

[Quartz]

I think you should have a chat ASAP rather than later. Do point out that you work a late shift and you are concerned about you waking the child when you go to bed in the early hours and the child waking you in the middle of your night when the child rises. Probably the simplest solution would be for the child's bed to not be on the party wall and for them to cover the party wall with cork. Not only is cork noise-absorbent but the child can pin stuff to it. And make sure your room and the child's are both carpeted.

 

[samcat]

I think you should have a chat ASAP rather than later. Do point out that you work a late shift and you are concerned about you waking the child when you go to bed in the early hours and the child waking you in the middle of your night when the child rises. Probably the simplest solution would be for the child's bed to not be on the party wall and for them to cover the party wall with cork. Not only is cork noise-absorbent but the child can pin stuff to it. And make sure your room and the child's are both carpeted.

Not sure about your neighbours, but if my neighbour approached me suggesting I cover my wall in cork they would be duly (and politely) ignored. But do talk to them and explain about working shifts, tread carefully though as the last thing anyone wants is to be told how to live in their own home!
Carpets (with a good underlay, Cloud 9 cumulus 11mm or similar), heavy curtains and a heavy rug all help absorb sound nicely, so defo do that on your side.. And a bookshelf covering the party wall that is full of books will help too.

 

[Quartz]

Not sure about your neighbours, but if my neighbour approached me suggesting I cover my wall in cork they would be duly (and politely) ignored.

Indeed, but if they ask for suggestions...

Carpets (with a good underlay, Cloud 9 cumulus 11mm or similar), heavy curtains and a heavy rug all help absorb sound nicely, so defo do that on your side.

And should be done on their side too.

 

[panthro]

I researched this thoroughly when I lived in my flat and had a problem with the neighbours. Depends how much you want to spend.
You could spend £1500-2000 (size of wall dependent) and build a cavity wall using insulating glue, acoustic plasterboard, acoustic board hangars and extra dense insulation. This is the best solution to deaden noise as it will stop most vibrations but the downsides are cost and you'll lose around 700mm of room space.

Or you can replace the plasterboard with acoustic plasterboard and add insulating filler/glue around the edges. It's cheaper but not as effective. These are pretty much your only 2 options if you want to actually reduce noise.

I'd leave it if I were you and see how it progresses.

 

[Shelster]

I have looked at fitting this to my house. It is a new build Taylor Wimpey affair and whilst tha party walls are made of a denser breezeblock with a rockwool filling, there is some sound transfer between teh two houses. My wife is hyper sensitive to noise and can feel she will be complaining come September time when they get their shiny new baby in there too

 

[Bes]

Well on my living room ceiling, I fitted resilient bars and genie clips along with SBX board and acoustic mineral wool. It was quite pricey, but the result is FANTASTIC... I get almost zero noise transmission now. I imagine the same system would work for a wall (The resilient bars probably would not be needed in your case). I know my system is for a ceiling, but I don't see why it would not work for a wall...

I lost about 5cm of height, although I did rip down the existing ceiling so i would expect it to be more like 10cm for you

 

[panthro]

I have looked at fitting this to my house. It is a new build Taylor Wimpey affair and whilst tha party walls are made of a denser breezeblock with a rockwool filling, there is some sound transfer between teh two houses. My wife is hyper sensitive to noise and can feel she will be complaining come September time when they get their shiny new baby in there too

That will reduce the noise but won't completely block it. Your best bet is doing what Best did below.

Well on my living room ceiling, I fitted resilient bars and genie clips along with SBX board and acoustic mineral wool. It was quite pricey, but the result is FANTASTIC... I get almost zero noise transmission now. I imagine the same system would work for a wall (The resilient bars probably would not be needed in your case). I know my system is for a ceiling, but I don't see why it would not work for a wall...

I lost about 5cm of height, although I did rip down the existing ceiling so i would expect it to be more like 10cm for you

Spot on. This is the best solution for noise reduction. Expensive but definitely worth it.