ᐅ Is sound insulation according to DIN 4109-1 sufficient for a mid-terrace house?
Created on: 30 Dec 2021 14:51
T
Twist21
Hello everyone,
I am considering buying a mid-terrace house in a new development. In the construction specifications under the section on sound insulation, it states that only the legally required minimum standards according to DIN 4109-1 are met. Furthermore, according to the construction specifications and thus confirmed in writing by the developer, the sound insulation according to 4109-1 is significantly below the high level of soundproofing usually expected in terraced or semi-detached houses, and noise from neighboring mid-terrace houses can be clearly heard.
According to homeowner literature, the minimum requirement under DIN 4109-1 for sound insulation is described as “loud speech intelligible, loud music audible” and impact sound insulation as “footsteps disturbing.” Additionally, the book advises against DIN 4109-1 and refers instead to VDI 4100 (2007).
Therefore, I assume that noise I generate (speech + footfall + TV/music, etc.) can be heard in the adjacent mid-terrace houses and vice versa. Would this mean that my neighbors would already be disturbed if my TV runs until midnight and they go to bed at 10 p.m.?
I am waiting for a response from an expert, but before that, I wanted to gather your opinions and experiences here in the forum on whether meeting only the DIN 4109-1 sound insulation standard would be a dealbreaker for buying this mid-terrace house, especially since I often work from home and my neighbors might overhear my confidential conversations and vice versa.
Here are the key data:
Ceilings L’n, w ≤ 41 dB
Stairs: L’n, w ≤ 46 dB
Ground floor party walls: R’w = 63 dB
Water installations L ≤ 27 dB (A)
Other building services equipment L ≤ 30 dB (A)
Partition walls between the mid-terrace houses are reinforced concrete walls, each 12 cm (5 inches) thick. Between the walls are separating joint panels, 4 cm (1.5 inches) thick.
I hope I am somewhat overestimating my concern and would appreciate any feedback, whether it confirms or contradicts my assumption.
Thank you in advance and good luck,
Twist21
I am considering buying a mid-terrace house in a new development. In the construction specifications under the section on sound insulation, it states that only the legally required minimum standards according to DIN 4109-1 are met. Furthermore, according to the construction specifications and thus confirmed in writing by the developer, the sound insulation according to 4109-1 is significantly below the high level of soundproofing usually expected in terraced or semi-detached houses, and noise from neighboring mid-terrace houses can be clearly heard.
According to homeowner literature, the minimum requirement under DIN 4109-1 for sound insulation is described as “loud speech intelligible, loud music audible” and impact sound insulation as “footsteps disturbing.” Additionally, the book advises against DIN 4109-1 and refers instead to VDI 4100 (2007).
Therefore, I assume that noise I generate (speech + footfall + TV/music, etc.) can be heard in the adjacent mid-terrace houses and vice versa. Would this mean that my neighbors would already be disturbed if my TV runs until midnight and they go to bed at 10 p.m.?
I am waiting for a response from an expert, but before that, I wanted to gather your opinions and experiences here in the forum on whether meeting only the DIN 4109-1 sound insulation standard would be a dealbreaker for buying this mid-terrace house, especially since I often work from home and my neighbors might overhear my confidential conversations and vice versa.
Here are the key data:
Ceilings L’n, w ≤ 41 dB
Stairs: L’n, w ≤ 46 dB
Ground floor party walls: R’w = 63 dB
Water installations L ≤ 27 dB (A)
Other building services equipment L ≤ 30 dB (A)
Partition walls between the mid-terrace houses are reinforced concrete walls, each 12 cm (5 inches) thick. Between the walls are separating joint panels, 4 cm (1.5 inches) thick.
I hope I am somewhat overestimating my concern and would appreciate any feedback, whether it confirms or contradicts my assumption.
Thank you in advance and good luck,
Twist21
Twist21 schrieb:
The building description states that the requirements of DIN 4109-1 are met, but that the sound insulation does not reach the enhanced level usually expected in a mid-terrace house. This is clearly noted in the building description—no joke. I found this quite surprising, as the provider either undermines their own product or is legally protecting themselves. May I ask if you have decided on the mid-terrace house?
Your question sounds 100% identical (including the wording) to the offer we have received. We are probably talking about the same developer. Feel free to message me, but I’m not allowed to write more at the moment.
I know this topic is somewhat old and no longer of great relevance. However, I came across it while searching the forum and thought this information might still be helpful to some.
Actually, it is completely logical. Because only in this case is the builder truly allowed to build only according to the minimum requirements of the standard. If the builder simply states that construction will follow 4109-1 without explaining to the private buyer that this is below the usual standard, then they owe a better soundproofing level. Even if they explicitly state that no better soundproofing than 4109-1 will be provided (without clarification), they still owe better soundproofing.
And precisely because of this legal interpretation, the explanation follows, which the builder would probably have preferred to avoid. Therefore, the buyer is sufficiently informed, and only the minimum standard is owed.
ypg schrieb:
I assume you may have misunderstood something. Or was it a parody of his construction performance description? No one criticizes their own house construction if they depend on it for a living. No company builds negligently below the minimum requirements, and no company would claim that a standard (DIN) defining the minimum requirements (which is sufficient in most cases) is inadequate. All of this is simply illogical.
Actually, it is completely logical. Because only in this case is the builder truly allowed to build only according to the minimum requirements of the standard. If the builder simply states that construction will follow 4109-1 without explaining to the private buyer that this is below the usual standard, then they owe a better soundproofing level. Even if they explicitly state that no better soundproofing than 4109-1 will be provided (without clarification), they still owe better soundproofing.
Twist21 schrieb:
Furthermore, according to the construction description and thus as stated in writing by the builder, the sound insulation according to 4109-1 is significantly below the high level of soundproofing typically expected for townhouses or semi-detached houses, and noises from other middle terraced houses can be clearly heard.
And precisely because of this legal interpretation, the explanation follows, which the builder would probably have preferred to avoid. Therefore, the buyer is sufficiently informed, and only the minimum standard is owed.
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