Soundproofing-David Wilson semi detached

stevoh

Hi

We were thinking about buying a semi build by David Wilson.

My concern is noise from next door, as I’d heard new buildings have poor soundproofing.

Can anyone confirm whether this is the case?

thanks 

newbuild2020

It really depends.

What’s the layout? Are the stairs or rooms on adjoining wall? 

Is it a traditional build or wooden framed?

Also, which was do the beams run? If into the central wall then you’re likely to hear impact noise. 

stevoh

Not sure to be honest. I’ll try to find out.

As a general rule of thumb, are new builds better soundproofed?

stevoh

newbuild2020 said:

It really depends.

What’s the layout? Are the stairs or rooms on adjoining wall? 

Is it a traditional build or wooden framed?

Also, which was do the beams run? If into the central wall then you’re likely to hear impact noise. 

From the plans I can see the staircase isn’t on the adjoining wall, so am assuming next door is a mirror image. 

turnitround

Ive only lived in one new build and never again. It was a 3 storey semi, I could hear most of the conversations next door. Our son had the top floor and we used to joke that if he farted on the top floor we heard it down below.

Flugelhorn

I live in a 10 year old semi   now, it is quieter than the victorian terrace and edwardian semi and definitely quieter than the 70s flat!


Our garages / kitchen / utility room are next to each other so that means minimal noise downstairs and TBH haven't heard anything upstairs either. Maybe we just have very quiet neighbours (though they are pretty noisy in the garden)

ArbitraryRandom

I don't think you can generalise if new builds are 'better or worse' than older houses. So much depends on the house... 

Cheaper developments (which can date from 1970 onwards) tend to be constructed using lightweight masonry or timber frames - and that can translate to being able to hear a pin drop.

But since when I think new build construction was at it's worst (around 2010) the government has significantly updated Part E of the Building Regulations (the bit that covers sound insulation) to solve some of the worst materials and construction methods related problems and now noise issues are mostly related to lifestyle and being in close proximity. 

Biggest issues in my experience is having the staircases on the adjoining wall, and I'd always opt to have whichever room I was sleeping in on the external wall.

[Deleted User]

This is the sort of thing that developers should be required to specify.

stevoh

[Deleted User] said:

This is the sort of thing that developers should be required to specify.

I’m struggling with the sales team to be honest, so started doing my own research. They just openly lie, even when it’s very easy for me to confirm something is a lie. They’ll even put it in writing, then just claim ignorance. 

otb666

our 2006 DW home has no sound issues been there 13 years 3 story kingsbury design terraced town house

stevoh

otb666 said:

our 2006 DW home has no sound issues been there 13 years 3 story kingsbury design 

Thanks.

Do you think your neighbours or exceptionally quiet or do you think it’s just well soundproofed? 

What kind of noise travels through?