We have lived in our semi-detached house for 15 years. We have just welcomed new neighbours into the attached home next door. While they are a lovely family, their new baby is crying through much of the night and disturbing our sleep.
As our last neighbour was an older man, we didn’t notice a noise issue before now. Is there anything we can do to add a bit of a noise barrier, aside from ripping open walls and spending a lot of money? Or would you recommend spending the money to have a better noise barrier in the long term?
Andrew O'Gorman writes: One can understand your frustration and also empathise with your neighbour's situation. Unwanted sound transfer in semi-detached properties is a common occurrence.
Noise transfer can be categorised as being either airborne or impact. Airborne sound is generated by people talking, playing music, and so on. Impact sound is generated by people walking on timber floors, closing doors, climbing stairs, etc. From the information provided, it would appear you are affected by the former.
Buildings are constructed to meet minimum requirements for building regulations. Under these regulations, a property should provide the required sound insulating properties. The requirements are contained in the Technical Guidance Document – Part E Sound (2014), which provides guidance on minimum standards that should be achieved when constructing buildings.
I note you did not experience noise issues previously as the property was occupied by an older gentleman. The situation in the neighbouring property has now changed with the arrival of the new family.
It is difficult to determine how long the current issue of the baby crying will continue, and so you are considering installing sound proofing measures in your home.
Airborne noise transfers through minute crevices and poorly finished wall parts in the party wall construction, which is the wall that separates both properties. Given the age of your home, I suspect it is possible there are areas in the party wall construction that have not been fully sealed and/or completed.
There are a number of soundproofing measures that could be considered, and these generally involve securing soundproof panels to your side of the separating party wall.
Upgrading the sound insulation between both dwellings is a part-solution to your dilemma. Even with sound insulating repairs to your home, it may prove difficult to fully drown out the sound of a baby crying.
I recommend you engage with your neighbours: it is possible they are oblivious to the noise issue as they are busy caring for their child. An additional measure could also be for your neighbour to temporarily move to an alternative bedroom in their home, which is farthest away from the party wall (if this is an option).
I recommend you consult with a chartered building surveyor in advance of carrying out any modifications to your home. The surveyor can assist in preparing a detailed specification for sound insulating repair works.
Andrew O'Gorman is a chartered building surveyor and member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, scsi.ie
