Hello everyone!
I’ve mentioned before that we plan to install a wooden privacy fence along the side of our property bordering the neighbor. The plan was for rounded fence panels, 180cm (71 inches) tall at the highest point and the same width.
The local DIY store gave me a quote for the materials, including delivery. Normally, this store is not particularly expensive.
The total for materials for 19.5m (64 feet) of fencing came to over 1000€. The panels themselves were about 500€, with the rest being the “miscellaneous parts.” One costly item is the wood stain planned (three times 4L (1 gallon) of Bondex long-lasting protective stain) for nearly 200€. The advisor also said we need to use H-posts and set them in concrete. He quoted a 40kg (88 lbs) bag of screed concrete for each post.
I know that here in northern Germany it’s probably better to set the posts in concrete, but do I really need 400kg (880 lbs) of concrete for a 19.5m (64 feet) wooden fence? It seems crazy to me.
With L-brackets, screws, posts, etc., the entire project came to just over 1000€, and then we still have to assemble it ourselves — and we’re not sure if we can manage that. I had originally thought of using the quick-setting concrete that only needs watering, but I expected 2–3 bags would be enough.
Do you think the quote for materials is realistic? I’m a bit shocked.
Now we’re considering alternatives. For example, I could order a mixed package of “natural hedge bouquet” with 160 plants online for about 280€, which would green up the whole garden and cost only about a quarter of what the fence would. However, the noise insulation to the neighbor’s property would probably be weaker than with a wooden fence (anyone with experience here?), and we would have to wait a few years until the plants grow tall enough to screen the view of the metal shed. But honestly, I’d almost prefer to invest a four-figure amount in greenery rather than in a fence.
What would you recommend?
I’ve mentioned before that we plan to install a wooden privacy fence along the side of our property bordering the neighbor. The plan was for rounded fence panels, 180cm (71 inches) tall at the highest point and the same width.
The local DIY store gave me a quote for the materials, including delivery. Normally, this store is not particularly expensive.
The total for materials for 19.5m (64 feet) of fencing came to over 1000€. The panels themselves were about 500€, with the rest being the “miscellaneous parts.” One costly item is the wood stain planned (three times 4L (1 gallon) of Bondex long-lasting protective stain) for nearly 200€. The advisor also said we need to use H-posts and set them in concrete. He quoted a 40kg (88 lbs) bag of screed concrete for each post.
I know that here in northern Germany it’s probably better to set the posts in concrete, but do I really need 400kg (880 lbs) of concrete for a 19.5m (64 feet) wooden fence? It seems crazy to me.
With L-brackets, screws, posts, etc., the entire project came to just over 1000€, and then we still have to assemble it ourselves — and we’re not sure if we can manage that. I had originally thought of using the quick-setting concrete that only needs watering, but I expected 2–3 bags would be enough.
Do you think the quote for materials is realistic? I’m a bit shocked.
Now we’re considering alternatives. For example, I could order a mixed package of “natural hedge bouquet” with 160 plants online for about 280€, which would green up the whole garden and cost only about a quarter of what the fence would. However, the noise insulation to the neighbor’s property would probably be weaker than with a wooden fence (anyone with experience here?), and we would have to wait a few years until the plants grow tall enough to screen the view of the metal shed. But honestly, I’d almost prefer to invest a four-figure amount in greenery rather than in a fence.
What would you recommend?
Tolentino schrieb:
But this case seems to be different. That’s why I would suggest having an open conversation. You could share your experience from the old apartment and explain that you have become a bit more sensitive since then. Ask if they would be willing to try a bit of a compromise with you. And especially that if they are no longer outside, they should turn off the music. That worked well last time—I mentioned that we wanted to watch TV and asked if they could turn off the music once they were no longer outside. Then it was immediately switched off.
Maybe that also helped to show how much the bass comes through to us.
If I had one wish, it would be that they don’t insist on listening to music outside. 😀 I can’t say which is worse, inside or outside. Both are annoying. Indoors, because I feel disturbed in my own private space. And outside, because it basically makes my garden unusable. I once recorded a video, but I don’t think it can be uploaded here. Doesn’t really matter.
The current plan is to proceed in stages.
We decided on a wooden privacy fence first. Mainly because it also creates a visual boundary, sections off our own space a bit, and hides the unwanted shed. I’m also planning to grow some tall plants along the fence for ivy and clematis to climb on—I like how that looks.
I know it’s not a reliable sound barrier—but at least it’s SOMETHING between the neighbor’s space and my terrace. So far there’s nothing at all, not even a blade of grass, and the distance is only about 5–6 meters (16–20 feet). 🙂
Once the fence is up, we’ll see how things develop. How often they want to listen to music outside during the summer, how well we can discuss things over a beer, and whether they understand my situation. Turning the bass down a bit could already make a big difference, and the neighbor himself said over the weekend when we spoke briefly, “you can talk about anything” – and he’s right. Maybe I need to be a bit more firm about my position. I don’t want to bother anyone because of my sensitivity, but honestly, their volume is a bit too loud for a Sunday afternoon when I look at it objectively. Maybe we can meet halfway. I’ll have to overcome my hesitation and bring up my problem. That would be much cheaper than investing 5000€ in soundproofing. Ideally, you shouldn’t have to deal with that on private property.
Other neighbors probably aren’t bothered because there’s no one behind them, and on the other side there’s just a path and some greenery—the next neighbor is much further away than we are.
If the initial steps don’t work and they continue to play loud music frequently in the summer, we are considering making our wooden fence “denser.”
Then there will at least be something concrete covering the entire area. The idea would be to use materials that absorb sound and are suitable for outdoor use, such as cork or coconut fiber—and creatively attach them to our fence to cover as much surface as possible.
M
Myrna_Loy2 Jun 2021 09:06I think you and your husband need to decide how much this bothers you and how much you value having more peace and quiet. If you are particularly sensitive, a well-designed and effective noise protection measure is important for your quality of life. Personally, I would rather invest a few thousand euros (dollars) in good soundproofing than get upset every time I notice a noise. This would also help avoid putting stress on my less sensitive family members. Or it might lead me to consider selling the property.
It is frustrating, but as long as you are not moving to a remote farmhouse, this is normal.
You can also look at it from the other side: no one wants to live next to extremely noisy neighbors who constantly bring up the noise issue. That is stressful as well. People move into a house to avoid being reminded of noise rules every time the neighbors make noise.
It is frustrating, but as long as you are not moving to a remote farmhouse, this is normal.
You can also look at it from the other side: no one wants to live next to extremely noisy neighbors who constantly bring up the noise issue. That is stressful as well. People move into a house to avoid being reminded of noise rules every time the neighbors make noise.
What I was actually getting at with my question: if the main issue for you is the thumping noise in the living room when the window is closed, you might want to consider a different window with better insulation.
It might also be enough to properly adjust the pressure of the window seal if the window installer was careless in that regard.
It might also be enough to properly adjust the pressure of the window seal if the window installer was careless in that regard.
M
motorradsilke2 Jun 2021 09:45Tolentino schrieb:
As someone who used to struggle with noise disturbances, I had to learn from experience and received thorough explanations from the friendly officers in blue. It was no longer just a matter of personal sensitivity when schnitzels were being pounded at 2 a.m. The exact words were: “You can’t forbid someone from preparing food after a late shift.” Luckily, the neighbor was also foolish enough to regularly play loud music, but even then, without another neighbor who was also highly sensitive and extremely persistent, I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere.
That’s how everyone gains their experience. We have had the opposite experience. The (un)friendly officers in blue told us that on Sundays, all music must be stopped because one neighbor was disturbed, even though the music was really quiet.
H
hampshire2 Jun 2021 09:55kati1337 schrieb:
That worked well last time. I mentioned that we would like to watch TV and asked if they could turn off the music once they were no longer outside. Then it was immediately quiet.
Maybe that also helped to show how strong the bass affects us. So they seem to be friendly noisy neighbors. At least that much.
If I were you, I would still start by confirming the noise level with an actual measurement. I am also very sensitive to sounds. There are people in my area who are much more tolerant when I say, “Wow, they shouldn’t be that loud.”
What I mean is: just because YOU feel disturbed doesn’t necessarily mean everyone else does (but that doesn’t mean you should just accept it). However, if the music is truly measurably too loud, in my opinion, you can clearly let your neighbors know that this is not acceptable.
Right now, I think you might be going in circles. You want others to be quieter, but do they actually have to be? Is it all within reasonable limits and only you feel disturbed? If that’s the case, maybe you need to work a bit on your own mindset. Someone already mentioned a secluded property. We are not alone in the world, and the neighborhood has rights as well.
Our neighbor complains about noise (from her point of view) from the nearby children’s playground. I enjoy hearing the children laugh. She also complains about the new building lots right across the street. At that time, we were glad that no one complained about every single noise during the construction phase.
Sensitivity and the thresholds at which people feel disturbed vary greatly. But above all: nothing beats a personal conversation! Talk to your neighbors. It doesn’t seem to be a bad relationship at all. Describe how the noises affect you. Maybe they just don’t realize it?
What I mean is: just because YOU feel disturbed doesn’t necessarily mean everyone else does (but that doesn’t mean you should just accept it). However, if the music is truly measurably too loud, in my opinion, you can clearly let your neighbors know that this is not acceptable.
Right now, I think you might be going in circles. You want others to be quieter, but do they actually have to be? Is it all within reasonable limits and only you feel disturbed? If that’s the case, maybe you need to work a bit on your own mindset. Someone already mentioned a secluded property. We are not alone in the world, and the neighborhood has rights as well.
Our neighbor complains about noise (from her point of view) from the nearby children’s playground. I enjoy hearing the children laugh. She also complains about the new building lots right across the street. At that time, we were glad that no one complained about every single noise during the construction phase.
Sensitivity and the thresholds at which people feel disturbed vary greatly. But above all: nothing beats a personal conversation! Talk to your neighbors. It doesn’t seem to be a bad relationship at all. Describe how the noises affect you. Maybe they just don’t realize it?
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