How to Block Noise from Your Neighbours

If you have noisy neighbours, finding solitude can be difficult. Luckily, there are ways to reduce surrounding noise with DIY projects or home upgrades. Here are some tips on how to block noise from your neighbours.

1. Soundproof Your Walls

If you share walls with your neighbours, particularly if you’re in a flat, noise is often a problem. Walls are usually thinner in shared situations, meaning sound travels more easily.

There are a few ways to soundproof your walls, one of which being through the use of acoustic foams and panels. Air-resistant and sound-absorbing, these panels are typically made from fibreglass and minimise the amount of noise that travels through them.

Another way to improve insulation is by dry lining your walls. This will not only reduce noise; you’ll also enjoy lower thermal loss and energy bills as a result.

Sound tends to travel better through thin materials, so the thicker you can make your walls, the better. Dry lining is faster and easier to install than wet plaster, so it’s also more affordable if you’re hiring someone to install it for you. It’s important to include a vapour barrier behind the plasterboards though so that there is room for air to circulate. This minimizes condensation and prevents damp from forming. There are many different dry lining supplies and insulation fixings available to make this process as cost-effective as possible.

2. Plug Gaps In The Door

Modern doors are often made from cheap materials that don’t reduce outside noise. If you can afford to do so, it’s beneficial to replace your current door with one that is made from sturdier, thicker materials. This will help to dampen the noise from your neighbours. But if this isn’t an option, you can adapt what you have to minimise the sound that travels through.

If sound is getting through from the outside, it’s likely that your door has gaps or holes around it. Sealing your doors with a foam sealant can help to make them more airtight. You may also want to invest in a door sweep that is fitted to the base of your door to seal any gaps – they not only absorb noise from outside your property but also prevent draughts from coming in.

3. Check Your Windows

If you live in a busy area or on a main road, you may find that noise pollution is coming from outside rather than your next-door neighbours. In this case, your windows could be the culprit of sound.

Once again, sealants provide the best solution to ensure that no surrounding gaps are letting noise or draughts in. However, if your budget allows, double glazing also prevents sound from travelling through thinner panes of glass (as well as improving the warmth of your home!).

4. Make Use of Soft Furnishings

Many people don’t realise how effective items like thick curtains and fluffy rugs can be at helping to dampen noise.

Curtains made from thicker materials keep the heat in and the noise out, so they’re a great investment. Likewise, thick rugs can provide an additional layer of sound protection, especially if they’re rubber-backed. This is particularly effective if you only have wooden or vinyl flooring, as carpeted materials already do a better job of reducing noise.

Furniture can also do wonders for dampening excess noise. We’ve all experienced the echo that is caused by an empty room! By adding a few more items of furniture into your home or adding frames to the walls, you can reduce echoing and create a quieter space.

Final Notes

You can’t always stop the noise of neighbours, but you can reduce it. The tips in this guide will contribute towards that, while also retaining the heat in your home. This should hopefully work towards creating a calmer environment to live in!