Soundproofing

[akmum18]

Can anyone recommend a form of soundproofing that blocks out impact noises from neighbours please?
Think music, banging, tv so loud physical sounds against the shared walls rather than general airborne noises.
I can’t handle it anymore, but I can’t pay thousands to have the walls plastered and filled as it’s not my house and I don’t plan to stay here long enough to justify the costs.
Will hanging thick duvets help?
I have seen acoustic pads on amazon for music rooms, would this work?
Any recommendations would be appreciated, from a desperate sleep deprived mum.

We did pay ££££ in an attempt to soundproof. Thick, polystyrene backed plasterboard to insulate, replastered, actually lost room width it was so thick. It didn’t make a difference because sound comes through joists, not just the wall.
Have you been round to speak to them? It may be that pulling the TV/TV unit away from the wall slightly would make a big difference or they may happily turn it down a bit.
You have my sympathies. It made me ill having to listen to next doors TV blaring til all hours when I was up at 5:30am. I hope you get some peace soon.

Thanks for replying. I have spoken to them and they have made even more noise on purpose because they find it funny. It’s making me very unwell and I’m out of ideas.
Has anyone had any luck filling the offending wall with furniture/‘stuff’ to try and muffle noise at least? I haven’t got anything to test it with at the moment but I’m wondering if it will make a barrier?

Go on soundcloud or YouTube and play white noise

I do this alot when I just want to work or read a book without hearing my neighbour. If even drowned out the neighbour noisy diy works 2 houses down.

Also sometimes if its too loud ill put in my noise cancelling headphones, its not fair but it saves my sanity.

My neighbours floorboards are also really creaky and it wakes me up so I wear soft foam ear plugs to bed.

Again I appreciate its not fair but he isn't going to fix his floors and it's a cheap way for me to continue to live in my space until I can afford a detached house lol

Also soundproofing won't work unless you ensure you don't share joists, sound travels through any gaps like ceilings etc.

You can try furniture,.soft furnishings may reduce it but not massively so.

Try white noise for a while, having noise in your space will take away noise from elsewhere

Thanks I already use ear plugs and a white noise machine but the sound is that loud that it can be heard even with those in use sadly

Oh no thays a shame, acoustic foam panels are not for soundproofing so don't waste your money on that.

If you willing to lose a little bit fo space get some grt some soundproof companies in for quotes but again it'll never be 100% effective.

Suggest you no longer raise it as an issue as they already shown how petty they are by whacking it up louder.

Unfortunately all else fails moving is the only option

Thanks I am trying to move asap but Covid isn’t helping as no one wants to move yet. All I can do is hope and wait it out I guess.

Fingers crossed its not too long! Try to spend times in other rooms where you don't share a wall if thats possible. At least you have a whole room to dampen down the noise

moderncastle.com/blog/cheapest-way-to-soundproof-a-room/

I found this for you and it talks about blankets for soundproofing, I think it has some good information on it so take a look, hope it helps at least and is more cost effective

Can you report them to the council for noise pollution? Record it on your phone as evidence. It's hell having neighbours like this I've been there

If it's not your property and you don't have to worry about selling, I would start reporting them. Also perhaps invest in some good noise cancelling headphones. You shouldn't have to of course but I'm not sure what else would work with people like that.

Agree with pp - contact environmental health at your local council and ask their advice about complaining about noise pollution.

Try and report them. If they rent as well report them to their landlord. Our Council was completely rubbish but hopefully yours are better. It's so stressful living like this and I feel for you. I hope you can soon move and your noisy neighbours get even more noisy neighbours in your place!

Can you move your own furniture (wardrobes, bookcases - if you have them - etc) against that wall? It should help reduce it.
Are they renters or owners? If renting, you could report to their landlord - they might take that more seriously.

Thanks everyone. I have reported them but environmental health said it’s normal household noise and refused to take action. Of course it isn’t normal noise it’s excessive and at anti social hours but there’s nothing I can do if that’s their decision. I will look at the blankets and rearranging my bedroom. Unfortunately all rooms share the party wall due to the layout so there’s no escape. Thanks for replying

Record it and keep a log then take it to your local councillor. Council departments often respond with more energy once a councillor is involved.

@cyclingmad that link is rubbish tbh.

Acoustic treatment is a completely separate thing to soundproofing. The writer clearly doesn’t grasp that basic fact. I’ve designed and built several pro recording studios btw, and that article is nonsense. Acoustic tiles do absolutely zero to reduce spl- they’re for a different purpose; acoustics!

Unless you spend serious £££ there is no point ime. Mass and airtight walls, with structural isolation is the only way you’ll get anywhere. That’s the physics of how it works I’m afraid.