How can we reduce traffic noise in our new house?

[Livelaughplay]

Our new house is so loud from road traffic and trains. The trains I can deal with but when I just used an app to measure noise, the upstairs with windows open a bit are about 64 decibels, windows shut is 58 decibels and the garden is about 70! We do plan to replace the windows as they're old, so that might help when they're shut, but I like to have the window open to sleep, but this noise is insane. I know I can wear ear plugs which is fine, but what about the kids. Apparently WHO guidelines say these levels are really disruptive to health. The garden is going to be unenjoyable, but that was one of the reasons we bought the house!

I said this to DH when we viewed, but it's honestly perfect in every other way, this is the one massive, and increasingly larger, compromise. We are about 300m from an A road, with not much in between but fields, although I can't see the road at all, although don't know if this will still be the case once the leaves have come off.

Reasonably, what can I do? Are there special windows? But what about when they're open in summer? Mechanical ventilation? What does that feel like? I love an open window!

I am having serious regret at it feels like the whole village when I'm walking around is plagued by the road noise. I did say before we bought, but DH insisted I was being over-sensitive about it (which I know I can be), but having measured, I really don't think I am and now it's too late!

I also have a general case of buyers remorse, so I'm trying to work through things and find solutions and not catastrophise!

Help!

You could try a fountain in the garden. Sometimes replacing one noise with a closer one kind of works.
I'm probably not the best person to ask. Concorde was built and tested at the runway at the bottom of our road.

I haven't read all of the suggestions but wanted to say that I think you will get used to it. We moved to a busy main road about 14 years ago. There is constant traffic noise, ambulances, speeding cars etc. I was worried about buying the house but the pros outweighed the noise. We have just replaced all windows and put an internal porch door inside the main front door which has really helped. However, it doesn't stop any of us sleeping, my daughter who moved here when she was 3 got used to it in a couple of weeks and now finds it difficult to sleep anywhere it's really quiet! My other daughter never hears the traffic as she was born here and also listens to audio books as she's going to sleep which then continues to play through the night. We always sleep with our window open and it is never an issue. I reckon with new windows and your planting ideas, it will get better and you won't resent it as much! Good luck!

I live a couple of streets away from a really busy A road and if I'm in the back garden I notice it but it doesn't really bother me. I've had triple glazing installed so I don't hear it inside. We are fortunate that our bedrooms are at the front on the quieter street.

I think you get used to it. I hate loud music and shouting but because the traffic noise is so regular it doesn't bother me.

We found triple glazing helped.

Triple glazing will help and doesn't cost much more than double glazing but make sure you have a good size void between the glass panels to be effective. I have plantation shutters at the bedroom windows and find these help reduce noise from outside.

This is interesting thank you. Yes it's an old house, so not sure how feasible it will be. The rooms aren't overly tall, so not sure how it would work. Perhaps I could just do it upstairs or something. I think it might be money well spent as we don't plan to ever move again - as long as I get over this noise! And I only want to do the windows once, so would rather just do them properly.

And you really got used to it? There's hope then!

Crikey! I'm sure time will help. I know I'm in the moving panic mode, and I think perhaps I'm trying to find things to place my stress on. A lot of the things I think we just have to get started and live through

Blimey well that would do it! Have you ever measured how noisy it is? I feel slightly validated for measuring it and it coming out quite loud (although I can't verify the accuracy of the free app!), and I'd be interested in comparing it with things people say they've got used to - but this sounds like a noisy thread and people have clearly got used to much more noise than I will have!

I did ask ChatGPT, but he said that actually at this distance what I'm hearing is tyres and movement and it won't get any better. If anything, EVs are heavier so will be more noisy. Don't know if that's true though. But at least less fumey (although I havent noticed that yet at all). I wonder if he's right?

I am wondering about this. DH has been banging on about having a water feature in the front garden, but perhaps I should just let him do it at the back instead. Do they cost a lot to run or do they recycle water? Not really looked into it, but masking the noise is probably a really good idea

Yes this is a great idea! What other calming noises can I have inside that might also detract me from the kids whinging!

Thank you, I will look into it. I've nearly been drawn in by the Ikea air purifier before, but I do get the sense that it could be cheaper for me to factor some major stuff in early and so have plenty of time to reap the rewards, rather than lots of little fiddly bits and pieces that dont really do as goo a job. Good recommendation, thank you

Thank you. Can I ask if you did it during a renovation, or whether it was a one off thing? I don't mind making a few holes as we need to rewire and redecorate anyway. And is it a heating person that installs.. think I need an eco fitter of some kind! Sounds like it's made quite the difference though

No way! That's so cool! Don't tell me you got used to that too?!

Thank you. I feel guilty about the kids as I read a WHO report on the impact of noise at different decibels, and it suggests that at these levels it will be really disruptive and we'll all die of cardiovascular disease or something and the kids will have cognitive impairment. But like you and so many pp say, you do get used to it and so many people do it!
The people on the road have lived here for decades, so it clearly doesnt bother them. I will go as good as we can on the windows though for sure.

@Livelaughplay - yeah we got used to it (and the Red Arrows, who would come to air displays).
When I moved to another part of Bristol I kind of missed the sound.

I used to live on a main road.
Never got used to it. Happiest day of my life moving out.
Never again.

I have friends who live on an A road and they got triple glazing at the front of their house and it made a huge difference to how much sound got into their house. The road tends to get quieter at night so sleeping with the windows isn't an issue, although it does start to get busy by 6am so they get woken early.

Secondary glazing.

When I researched sounproofing and windows (before we changed some windows in our house) I learnt that there is not much difference between triple and double glazing. What matters is that the panes are assymetric (different width) and laminated. The window frame is very important too. Our two new windows have wooden frames, but I think PVC is not worse from the soundproofing point of view.

Jacksons sell high quality acoustic fencing which would make your garden much more comfortable to use. Add some dense planting and your DH's fountain and it'll feel much more peaceful.

It was fairly quick. It’s hard to pinpoint as you don’t notice when you don’t notice anymore if that makes sense! 😂😂

Also trees make a massive difference. When the trees drop their leaves in autumn there’s definitely an increase in the road noise in the garden. Thankfully we’re in the garden less in the autumn/ winter!

You can get external acoustic fence panels…also planting taller trees/shrubs can help.

I live next to Edinburgh Airport and barely acknowledge the flight sounds anymore (unless it’s a big bugger 🤣 ) so hopefully that will be the case for you with the trains.