Soundproofing

[40somethingJBJ]

Hi all. I’m in a 1940’s semi and the walls are stupidly thin. I’m blessed with very nice but bloody noisy neighbours, who have 3 barky dogs and a daughter who squeals, sings, shouts and runs around an awful lot, thus winding the dogs up (she’s 18, so not a child!). I’m overly sensitive to noise having had a brain injury, so spend a lot of my life wearing earplugs or with a fan on for white noise.

I’m currently planning a new kitchen and decorating elsewhere, so just wondering about incorporating some sort of soundproofing whilst I’m doing it.

If I build storage into the alcoves in the living room, with a layer of acoustic plasterboard or something behind, will this make much difference? Ditto fitted wardrobes on the adjoining wall in the bedrooms? I’m aware noise travels through the floors etc, so won’t cut it out completely, but just dulling it a little would help.

Thanks :)

I’ve found fitted wardrobes in bedrooms definitely help with noise. We had ours removed and now have freestanding and I can hear a lot more than I used to.

Thanks, that’s reassuring :)

You can get special plaster boarding designed to help deaden noise, night be worth looking into

Yes that’s what I’m thinking behind any wardrobes etc. Plus whilst I’m ripping out the kitchen, it’s an ideal time to insulate the party wall in there as well.

I’ve contemplated selling up and moving to a detached, but I’m disabled and just can’t face packing everything up, plus the neighbours are nice, just a bit loud, and I could move elsewhere and end up with absolute nightmare neighbours!

You have my sympathy as I have similar neighbour issues. Older end of middle aged couple next door with early 20's daughter...they row horrifically at least twice a week. Screaming til all hours and when they aren't its stupidily loud music either all day and night in the garden so I can't use mine or loud enough that I can't hear my TV.

They had the nerve to complain about the noise of dd playing in the garden last year as as their daughter was working nights. I may have told them that when they start having consideration for others and tone down their noise levels then others may have some consideration for them. Until then my dd was happy to make as much noise as she like in her garden at 2pm in the afternoon.

I’m lucky as mine are quiet at night, but during the day it’s constant. I just don’t think they realise how bloody loud they are. We’re a very quiet household, dog rarely makes a sound, so probably don’t realise how much noise travels and I don’t want to fall out with them over noise during the day when I’m very aware that I’m less tolerant than most.

I'd maybe just mention the dogs barking and say it seems really loud through the walls and ask if there is something they can do to try and help it stop. Hopefully it will dawn on them that you can hear everything else too

OP, there was a thread about this not so long ago (sorry I can't provide a link) but quite a few people replied to say unfortunately sound proofing didn't really make much difference for them.

I would say talk to your neighbours but I know that's much easier said than done. Sorry, my reply is pretty pointless really!

I hope you find a solution OP.

I had soundproofing installed in the house before last and it made a big difference! If you are also putting a kitchen back in and cupboards I think you will notice it being better.

I cannot bear noise and I feel your pain

@user1471538283

I had soundproofing installed in the house before last and it made a big difference! If you are also putting a kitchen back in and cupboards I think you will notice it being better.

I cannot bear noise and I feel your pain

Can I ask what you used please?