New housing developments are like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get. 😉
After a month here at the location, we’re a bit annoyed by the noise level. It’s nothing to really complain about. It’s Saturday noon, and if the neighbor wants to play moderately loud music in the garden, that’s probably within their rights. Unfortunately, it’s just 3 meters (10 feet) in a straight line from our office and children’s room, wakes my sleeping baby, and personally really gets on my nerves. You can’t recognize the songs, but you hear thumping bass lines through the wall/windows for hours. I’m quite sensitive to that, and it’s annoying me.
On another property, someone has moved in who so far seems to combine the intelligence of a houseplant with the humor of a certain comedian. They often blast poor punk music late into the night and then drunkenly shout nonsense across the street when you want to let the cat out. Hooray. 🙄
We had actually hoped that people like that wouldn’t have the money for a house. Either way, these were just first impressions, maybe it will improve.
But regarding the music noise during the day, we would like to do something about it. I don’t want to approach the neighbors about it—they are very nice and I don’t believe they’re doing anything wrong. These are just sounds you have to expect, and the fact that they bother me is my problem.
Do you have any ideas on the best way to block sound?
We already agreed with them and planted a hedge along the boundary. If we now put up a wall or fence on our side of the property, would that be a problem, or can we just do it? What offers the best noise protection, especially against bass? Is there anything we can do to the house itself to prevent the sound from coming inside?
After a month here at the location, we’re a bit annoyed by the noise level. It’s nothing to really complain about. It’s Saturday noon, and if the neighbor wants to play moderately loud music in the garden, that’s probably within their rights. Unfortunately, it’s just 3 meters (10 feet) in a straight line from our office and children’s room, wakes my sleeping baby, and personally really gets on my nerves. You can’t recognize the songs, but you hear thumping bass lines through the wall/windows for hours. I’m quite sensitive to that, and it’s annoying me.
On another property, someone has moved in who so far seems to combine the intelligence of a houseplant with the humor of a certain comedian. They often blast poor punk music late into the night and then drunkenly shout nonsense across the street when you want to let the cat out. Hooray. 🙄
We had actually hoped that people like that wouldn’t have the money for a house. Either way, these were just first impressions, maybe it will improve.
But regarding the music noise during the day, we would like to do something about it. I don’t want to approach the neighbors about it—they are very nice and I don’t believe they’re doing anything wrong. These are just sounds you have to expect, and the fact that they bother me is my problem.
Do you have any ideas on the best way to block sound?
We already agreed with them and planted a hedge along the boundary. If we now put up a wall or fence on our side of the property, would that be a problem, or can we just do it? What offers the best noise protection, especially against bass? Is there anything we can do to the house itself to prevent the sound from coming inside?
Use proper masonry in house construction. Soundproof windows, which of course also need to be closed (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery).
A hedge can help reduce conversations heard from the terrace. But if the neighbor’s windows are vibrating, that won’t help.
Otherwise, the usual applies: location, location, location. Where it’s cheap and cramped, there tend to be more noisy people. Wealthier people can be noisy too, but in my experience, they generally show more consideration 🙂
A hedge can help reduce conversations heard from the terrace. But if the neighbor’s windows are vibrating, that won’t help.
Otherwise, the usual applies: location, location, location. Where it’s cheap and cramped, there tend to be more noisy people. Wealthier people can be noisy too, but in my experience, they generally show more consideration 🙂
guckuck2 schrieb:
Use proper masonry in house construction. Soundproof windows are also necessary (controlled mechanical ventilation!).
A hedge can help reduce conversations heard from the terrace. However, if the windows next door are vibrating, that won’t help.
Otherwise, the usual applies: location, location, location. In areas that are cheap and crowded, there tend to be more unpleasant neighbors. Wealthier people can be unpleasant too, but in my experience, they usually show more consideration 🙂 I’m not sure if the windows are vibrating. The bass thumps here in our office even with the windows closed.
I don’t think we can change much about the masonry since the house is already built.
Are there special noise-reduction windows? We have triple-glazed windows with a low U-value (KFW55).
Conversations or even the sounds of gardening don’t bother me at all. Conversations don’t carry into the house. What bothers me is the bass thumping—the kind you used to hear in old apartments when neighbors had the TV on. You don’t hear anything except the low bass, which can be really annoying.
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nordanney7 Nov 2020 13:51The only sensible solution is also the simplest; but often the most difficult.
TALK
Just kindly ask your neighbor to turn down the bass a bit. All other suggestions usually don’t really help. Bass can be really unpleasant. Maybe the neighbor’s speakers are poorly positioned, and at their listening spot there isn’t much bass actually heard or felt.
Apart from that, booming bass lines are not an indication of moderate volume.
TALK
Just kindly ask your neighbor to turn down the bass a bit. All other suggestions usually don’t really help. Bass can be really unpleasant. Maybe the neighbor’s speakers are poorly positioned, and at their listening spot there isn’t much bass actually heard or felt.
Apart from that, booming bass lines are not an indication of moderate volume.
We used Ytong blocks with an adhesive process. On the outside, there was insulation and another layer of bricks.
The music wasn’t actually very loud; it was a Makita jobsite radio. I don’t think it even has a bass setting?
I was outside for a while and chatted a bit, so they definitely weren’t playing at party volume. I’m really very sensitive when it comes to noise.
I once had to live for several years in an apartment with constant music noise, which eventually caused a nervous breakdown and led to us moving out. That experience still affects me deeply, so I probably perceive bass vibrations more intensely than most. I also have trouble concentrating because it really stirs things up inside me.
I’m sure the neighbors would stop if I asked them nicely, but I’d rather find a solution “on our side of the property” because I don’t want to spoil their enjoyment of gardening just because of my odd sensitivity or past rental trauma.
The music wasn’t actually very loud; it was a Makita jobsite radio. I don’t think it even has a bass setting?
I was outside for a while and chatted a bit, so they definitely weren’t playing at party volume. I’m really very sensitive when it comes to noise.
I once had to live for several years in an apartment with constant music noise, which eventually caused a nervous breakdown and led to us moving out. That experience still affects me deeply, so I probably perceive bass vibrations more intensely than most. I also have trouble concentrating because it really stirs things up inside me.
I’m sure the neighbors would stop if I asked them nicely, but I’d rather find a solution “on our side of the property” because I don’t want to spoil their enjoyment of gardening just because of my odd sensitivity or past rental trauma.
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