Soundproofing a Semi-Detached Attic only - Is it worthwhile?

ClarkeKent

We live in a 60s semi and have issues with noise from next door which they try to address.

Meanwhile I looked at our attic as a potential partial solution to noise from next door. There are the inner wall breezeblocks with some having holes showing the bricks and beams between the house.

Does anyone know about acoustics or noise reductions techniques? Does noise sound waves from the house go up the party wall and out any gaps?!
Would putting boxes in front of the holes or filling them with towels be a worthwhile exercise?
https://lifehacker.com/old-towels-are-the-best-material-for-cheap-diy-sound-ab-1785114646

I have read about adding fake party walls with sound insulation etc for the house walls. But wondered whether a small fix to the attic could make any difference?

Any advice on soundproofing or noise reduction in semi-detached houses would be much appreciated.

Furts

There should be no holes in the wall and you should not have access to your neighbours timbers - or vice versa. Here you have to think of fire spreading - hence no holes. Of course, we do not live in a perfect world, and house building standards vary, but what you are saying raises a few concerns.


Any holes will be a route for sound to get through. House building principles are mass is used to reduce sound - so a concrete block is far superior to an aircrete block. Also all gaps are sealed - which is partly why you see sealant around the outside edge of pvcu window frames.


Boxes with towels have little mass, and will not be sealed into the holes, or gaps. Hence this approach is almost futile,


Your sound issues could be via your structure or via the air, so you need to determine which you think they are then adopt a strategy to minimise matters.