Top tips to successful soundproofing against noisy neighbours

Living with noisy neighbours can be more than just an inconvenience. The unwanted noise from noisy neighbours can pass through the walls of our homes straight into our wellbeing. The adverse effects of living with noisy neighbours on mental health and overall quality of life is well-documented, echoing the need for quiet living spaces at home. 

The Soundproofing Store is an authoritative voice within soundproofing, with a track record of contributing to key articles across a variety of publications and earning accolades for exceptional, award-winning soundproofing solutions. As featured in The Sunday Times, This is Money and The Yorkshire Post.

Many thousands of customers contact The Soundproofing Store for advice and acoustic solutions to unwanted noise from noisy neighbours. This can range from unwanted noise being heard through a connecting party wall, to the unwanted noise from neighbours living above or below in flats, apartments and converted houses. 

This article aims to provide a handy guide and explanation of key steps and top tips when it comes to soundproofing against the unwanted noise from noisy neighbours.

Soundproofing against noisy neighbours - first steps

What are the 3 key principles when soundproofing a wall against noisy neighbours?

When soundproofing a wall it is important to combine the below 3 principles of soundproofing:

If you’re wondering how to tick off all 3 of these principles, then The ReductoClip Independent System delivers the best possible solution. It effectively covers off all of these points and as a result is the highest performing soundproofing solution for walls.

To learn more about the most effective soundproofing solutions for solid walls, take a look at the below video:

The best 3 wall soundproofing solutions 

The top 3 soundproofing solutions for solid party walls

What are the 4 key principles when soundproofing a floor against noisy neighbours?

When soundproofing a floor the principles of soundproofing differ slightly to those when soundproofing a wall. Let's take a look at the 4 main principles when soundproofing a timber floor:

When soundproofing a floor, a combination of mass and cushioning materials are used to address both airborne and impact noise effectively.

On a timber joist floor, the Reverso SoundMat is an excellent choice for hard floor final finishes and SoundMat 3 Plus for carpet finishes.

For concrete floors, adding a cushioning layer to absorb impact vibration helps to absorb the impact vibration before it enters the structure of the floor. A proven soundproofing solution like the SoundMat 2 Plus is an excellent solution for impact noise on concrete floors.

When it comes to unwanted airborne noise being heard through a concrete floor, this can be sightly more complex. This is because concrete naturally has more mass to block airborne noise. When experiencing unwanted airborne noise through a concrete floor, it is advisable to contact us to discuss potential weak points.

What are the top 3 soundproofing solutions for timber floors?

The top 3 soundproofing solutions for timber floors

What are the 4 key principles when soundproofing a ceiling against noisy neighbours?

When soundproofing a ceiling, there are four main principles which are highlighted below:

The most effective ceiling system which covers off all these principles is The ReductoClip Ceiling Solution, which provides the highest performing system when looking to soundproof a ceiling. 

How to soundproof a timber ceiling using the ReductoClip Ceiling System

Top 2 soundproofing solutions for timber ceilings

Highlighted so far are the important questions which need to be addressed before selecting an appropriate soundproofing solution to combat the noise from noisy neighbours. Additionally, there is the emphasis of recognising the importance of a soundproofing system that encompasses the key principles of soundproofing. 

Now, let's delve into some soundproofing tips:

Soundproofing top tips

• Seal any gaps, cracks, and holes with acoustic sealant. Think of soundproofing like waterproofing. Any gaps and the sound will leak through

• Think of Soundproofing like baking a cake. There are different acoustic materials such as acoustic plasterboard, acoustic mineral wool and FlexiSound, which are all important soundproofing ingredients. However, they are not soundproofing on their own. As with baking a cake, you need the correct mix of ingredients, in the correct quantities and in the correct order to get the best results and this is the same for soundproofing

• Beware of the law of diminishing returns. If the same type of material simply keeps being added, every time you add another layer of the same material directly on top, each layer gets less effective. For example, simply adding more layers of acoustic plasterboard to a wall will be of little or no benefit

• Be mindful of soundproofing hacks promising quick, easy and cheap soundproofing options. These can range from soundproof paint, wallpaper or simply adding acoustic plasterboard. They will not work! Save your money and always use a tried and tested soundproofing system

• Invest wisely. Be wary of ‘cheap’ soundproofing solutions. The truth is your noise problem doesn’t care what your budget is. The soundproofing system you need is determined by the type of noise problem you have and the construction of the building. One size fits all is not the case with soundproofing. You need the right system for your individual noise issue and situation

• The saying ‘you get what you pay for’ is certainly true when it comes to soundproofing. There are fundamentals that must be adhered to solve certain noise problems, so saving up and using the correct system is really the only option to achieve the best results

And finally, the main tip is to speak to an expert. Soundproofing can be complex and it’s always better to do it once and do it right.

Soundproofing is a science, not a shortcut. Save time, money, and headaches by consulting experts. Whether it's walls, ceilings, or floors, The Soundproofing Store are here to help you achieve the peace and quiet you deserve

Conclusion: successful soundproofing against noisy neighbours

In conclusion, achieving effective soundproofing against noisy neighbours means following a few fundamental key steps. When soundproofing a wall, floor or ceiling it involves selecting and combining the right acoustic materials.

Soundproofing materials such as acoustic plasterboard, acoustic mineral wool, and FlexiSound, should be used in the right quantities and in the right order. It is also vitally important to use these acoustic materials alongside the ReductoClip System (for walls and ceilings) to decouple from the offending structure.

It's crucial to recognise that simply using individual acoustic materials on their own won't produce the desired outcome and you will most likely be disappointed with the results.

Beware of tempting soundproofing hacks promising quick fixes and instead, invest wisely by choosing tried-and-tested soundproofing systems (such as the ReductoClip System) which is tailored to your specific noise issue and building construction.

While budget considerations are natural, it's vital to understand that effective soundproofing is an investment. Cutting corners with cheap solutions may not address the root cause of your noise problem.

Embrace the principle that "you get what you pay for" with soundproofing and that recognising and adhering to fundamental principles and choosing the right system is the key to achieving optimal results.

In the pursuit of creating peace and quiet in your home, a methodical, informed approach following the principles of soundproofing (as highlighted in this article) will undoubtedly provide you with the best outcome.

Author

Phil Lyons heads up the technical team within The Soundproofing Store, bringing with him a wealth of expertise in the field of soundproofing and acoustics. With considerable experience in addressing a variety of noise-related challenges, Phil plays a crucial role in assisting domestic customers in finding effective solutions to all types of unwanted noise problems.

Phil also serves as the head of the studio department, specialising in soundproofing music rooms and band practice spaces. His proficiency extends to regularly collaborating with builders and specifiers on projects that require compliance with Part E Building Regulations. Phil regularly demonstrates his versatility and extensive knowledge of soundproofing across all situations.

An authoritative voice within Soundproofing, Phil also fronts The Soundproofing Store YouTube channel, sharing his extensive knowledge and expertise with people all over the world.