What can I do to reduce the noise I hear

Roadtonowhere100121

I am looking for some advice, I live in an end of terrace house. I can hear my neighbour running up and down the stairs, slamming doors. Is there a way I can reduce the noise? I was thinking of getting soundproof room dividers but not sure if they will work.

ExEstateAgent

First step I'd take is to have a polilte word with the neighbour as they may not realise that they're making noise that disturbs you. 

Bigphil1474

You will not be able to do anything to your property to stop the noise. Be glad you are end terrace or you could have had it from both sides. We lived in a mid terrace for over 20 years - the amount of noise you hear is entirely dependant on the type of neighbours you have, and how considerate they are. 

Sound 'proofing' will be expensive and probably not work for the type of noise you are hearing. It does sometimes work for continuous noise, like traffic sounds, but rarely for slamming doors and noisy step users. 

Do the neighbours have kids? We had a family live next door to us for a few years. Kids were noisy teenagers so had a fair amount of noise for a few years. They became adults and moved out - noise stopped.

As above, you could speak to your neighbours and see if they are open to solve the issue. They could get soft closers for the doors, or cushion the frames to reduce the slam noise level. Are the stairs carpeted or solid wood etc. If it involves kids, don't expect miracles. Our daughter was a source of much noise when she was growing up, especially as she sounded like a herd of elephants every time she went upstairs.

Dustyevsky

ExEstateAgent said:

First step I'd take is to have a polilte word with the neighbour as they may not realise that they're making noise that disturbs you. 

I might have a word with the neighbour if they were doing anything obviously antisocial, like practising their drumming for hours, or doing noisy DIY at 11pm, but running upstairs or closing doors noisily? I don't think so. These are normal, everyday living noises, often exacerbated by a trend away from carpet and soft furnishings which used to reduce them. Asking someone to be quieter in their own home isn't necessarily going to make them comply, and it might cause resentment, or even retaliation.

I'm not saying people shouldn't be considerate of others. Obviously, they should, but those who aren't, or who are naturally loud, are unlikely to change.

ExEstateAgent

Dustyevsky said:

ExEstateAgent said:

First step I'd take is to have a polilte word with the neighbour as they may not realise that they're making noise that disturbs you. 

I might have a word with the neighbour if they were doing anything obviously antisocial, like practising their drumming for hours, or doing noisy DIY at 11pm, but running upstairs or closing doors noisily? I don't think so. These are normal, everyday living noises, often exacerbated by a trend away from carpet and soft furnishings which used to reduce them. Asking someone to be quieter in their own home isn't necessarily going to make them comply, and it might cause resentment, or even retaliation.

I'm not saying people shouldn't be considerate of others. Obviously, they should, but those who aren't, or who are naturally loud, are unlikely to change.

I said a polite word. If the OP is a very quiet sort and doesn't make any noise that the neighbours can hear, they probably aren't at all aware that their noises can be heard next door. 

The other option is that the OP stomps up and down the stairs too and slams doors but I'd personally try the neighbourly chat first. 

horsewithnoname

You can get soundproofing fitted, it will take a few inches off the rooms, but you might consider it’s worth it. 

Roadtonowhere100121

Thank you for all your comments 

youth_leader

Sorry it is disheartening isn't it.  My friend has a gigantic oldish semi detached house in West Ealing.  Unfortunately her hall way wall is shared with her neighbour's stair case. The kids are up and down the carpet less stairs all the time and the parents stand at the bottom of the stairs and shout at the children.  On the other side of her the people leave their little westie out in the back garden barking non stop. 

Headphones are a solution, I wear them in my garden, old codgers up the road can't cope with their collie puppy and poor sod is locked out all the time.  I did offer to walk him but the woman said he is very strong - and the next time I saw her he'd pulled her over, and she had a broken wrist.  I do hope he is rehomed in the future with an active family who understand the intelligence of collie dogs.  Just people, I'd like to live in the middle of nowhere.

Naturelover22

Not a perfect solution but look up loop earplugs. They are great and I wear them quite a bit. They mute our neighbour's loud dog in their garden and alleyway, the bin men in the morning and cooking sounds like extractor fan and food blender.
I am quite sensitive to noises and I discovered them last year, completly different to the usual foam earplugs.
They are comfy to wear and quite discrete (i have clear ones)

Dustyevsky

ExEstateAgent said:

Dustyevsky said:

ExEstateAgent said:

First step I'd take is to have a polilte word with the neighbour as they may not realise that they're making noise that disturbs you. 

I might have a word with the neighbour if they were doing anything obviously antisocial, like practising their drumming for hours, or doing noisy DIY at 11pm, but running upstairs or closing doors noisily? I don't think so. These are normal, everyday living noises, often exacerbated by a trend away from carpet and soft furnishings which used to reduce them. Asking someone to be quieter in their own home isn't necessarily going to make them comply, and it might cause resentment, or even retaliation.

I'm not saying people shouldn't be considerate of others. Obviously, they should, but those who aren't, or who are naturally loud, are unlikely to change.

I said a polite word. 

Well, yes, anything less would be sure not to help.

theartfullodger

I had the problem.  Got a radio, kept it on all the time.  Oh, and was very friendly and helpful to neighbours (p*** them off & you've a bigger problem) Then after a month or so mentioned gently that the kids seemed very keen on running up&down stairs..