1950 Semi going to Buy party wall Sound Proofing

Smodlet

If I had the choice, I would never, ever live in an attached property. Our last was detached, and sure, there is still noise but it just is not as bad when there is space between you and it. When all there is, is a wall, sound is amplified tenfold. The whole building acts like a giant speaker (speakers are basically empty boxes, after all) plus you get vibration as well, which you do not when living in a detached property.

Having said all that, apparently only 15% of housing stock in this country is detached so most of us who are not rich are stuck with at least one party wall. The quality of the neighbours is the most important factor, there is no substitute for consideration and respect, but the layout also makes a huge difference. Having two stairwells between your lounge/bedroom and theirs is great for not hearing the TV/music/conversation but having the stairwells separated only by a party wall is a nightmare if you have ignorant, inconsiderate oiks living next door who thunder up and down the stairs like a herd of elephants. In all, swings and roundabouts. If you are buying a semi the other half of which is rented out, you could get a succession of different neighbours, possibly as often as every six months.

We got a quote for sound proofing our party wall... £5k and our house is just an early sixties, 3 bed semi, not large at all. This soundproofing does work, it was featured on some programme with Nick Knowles in it, but it has no effect on slamming doors, for instance, or screamed abuse out in the street. Sorry to be such a wet blanket but, if I can help one person avoid the hell this place is at times, I think I should.

DRP

Smodlet wrote: »

If I had the choice, I would never, ever live in an attached property. Our last was detached, and sure, there is still noise but it just is not as bad when there is space between you and it. When all there is, is a wall, sound is amplified tenfold. The whole building acts like a giant speaker (speakers are basically empty boxes, after all) plus you get vibration as well, which you do not when living in a detached property.

Having said all that, apparently only 15% of housing stock in this country is detached so most of us who are not rich are stuck with at least one party wall. The quality of the neighbours is the most important factor, there is no substitute for consideration and respect, but the layout also makes a huge difference. Having two stairwells between your lounge/bedroom and theirs is great for not hearing the TV/music/conversation but having the stairwells separated only by a party wall is a nightmare if you have ignorant, inconsiderate oiks living next door who thunder up and down the stairs like a herd of elephants. In all, swings and roundabouts. If you are buying a semi the other half of which is rented out, you could get a succession of different neighbours, possibly as often as every six months.

We got a quote for sound proofing our party wall... £5k and our house is just an early sixties, 3 bed semi, not large at all. This soundproofing does work, it was featured on some programme with Nick Knowles in it, but it has no effect on slamming doors, for instance, or screamed abuse out in the street. Sorry to be such a wet blanket but, if I can help one person avoid the hell this place is at times, I think I should.

i think it is swings and roundabouts - my terrace has the sets of stairs either side of party wall - yes you can hear stompers going up and down the stairs , but at least the noise isn't in the bedrooms or living rooms, it is in the hallway.