Indicators as to likely level of sound-proofing in a semi?

Bossypants

I'm looking at a 4 bed semi built somewhere between 1938 and 1961 (looking at historic maps, it doesn't appear on the former but does on the latter), not halls adjoining. I had originally wanted a detached house, but unfortunately that doesn't seem likely for the budget and location combination that I need. I have previously been very happy in my late Victorian semi, but I realise now that that was pure dumb luck and could easily have been a very different story.

My question is, are there any visible indicators as to how well sound-proofed the house is likely to be? I will obviously be knocking on neighbour doors as well (it's a cul-de-sac of identical pairs of semis), but I'd like to know as much as possible about what to look out for before I go.

Thanks in advance!

BossyFlossy

Highly likely that you’ll hear some sounds from adjoining semi. We built our current house and put in plasterboard with insulation on it to help keep sounds to a minimum.
We still hear the odd kitchen cupboard door being shut but fine other than that.
I’m not sure I’d be brasion enough to know on neighbours doors though......

staffie1

You’re going to hear sounds of one sort or another in any property that is adjoined to another. There are so many variables, and I don’t think there are reliable visual signs to look for.

It will depend on thickness of walls in older houses, the way the properties were constructed, the materials used, the integrity of the walls, and ultimately whether the current neighbours are generally quiet or loud in whatever they’re doing. 1930s semis (not halls adjoining) are renowned for transmitting noise (and I live in one). The way the properties were bonded during construction and the fact that they were designed to have multiple small rooms which successive owners have decided to butcher by removing internal walls and have little in the way of soft furnishings to absorb sound waves, all contribute to transmission of noise.

Ultimately, the only way to assure complete silence is to buy a detached property.

HollySocks_2

I've been looking at semi-detached places and wondered about the noise levels, so appreciate your advice.


Its a shame you can't 'test-drive' houses for a few days. Considering the amount you are spending, it would be good to try the house for 2 days, see how it feels.

Davesnave

The short answer to your question is 'No.' It's also the long answer.


Even if the structure is physically good and the current neighbour is respectful and quiet, there's no way to be sure that someone else with a completely different lifestyle won't be living there a year from now.


That said, we lived in semis for 30 years without any neighbour noise issues and I'm willing to believe millions of others do too.


Staffie isn't technically correct either, in the sense that not all annoying neighbour noise may be internal and arriving via the walls. One can be considerably inconvenienced by 'noises off' in a detached house too.

ProDave

I was glad to get into a detached house (only possible my moving to a very much cheaper part of the country)

It is not just noise you hear from your neighbour, but noise you cause them. I admit I do like to crank up the hifi sometimes, something I could not do without upsetting the neighbours, but now I can make as much noise as I want and nobody else can hear it let alone care about it.

A semi with halls and stairs on the party wall is much better as at least the living rooms are not on the party wall, at least try and find one with that layout if you can.

Bossypants

Thanks everyone! To be clear, I know there will always be *some* noise, I think that's the case in almost any urban situation, I was just hoping there would be some way to distinguish between 'can hear shouting and DIY but mostly fine' and 'can join in the dinner conversation'.

I suppose I'll just have to go around asking the question! Fortunately all the houses on the close are identical, so hopefully it will be possible to get a reasonable idea.

ciderboy2009

I think I must have been lucky.

I've lived in semi's and terraces all of my life and never had any problems with neighbour noise - even when we had young kids living next door.

All of our houses have been 1950's or older (we're currently in a 1930's place).

Alan2020

If you look hard enough you will find smaller, less desirable detached properties.
We were looking for detached only, in London. After months of searching found one that was in a perfect location, and same price if not cheaper than the terraced/Semi. Of course it’s smaller square footage and garden. But this over noise anytime.

hobbeskat

I was really worried about this moving into our 1950s semj after living in a Victorian terrace where you could hear next door so loudly they may as well have been in the same room. But it was undue worry, they have a toddler and a newborn and hear absolutely nothing. We're not halls adjoining either.

Herbalus

The last house I looked at was detached, but also backed onto a major road. Open the rear windows and the noise was constant.