Date Posted: 2012-06-21 03:33:03
Site Posted: Myproperty.ph
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It’s no secret that one of the things you have to get used to when you buy a condo for sale is noise. Whether it’s the loud neighbors, the construction of other units or traffic outside, hearing this kind of racket on a daily basis can drive anyone nuts.
The good news is that there are some things you can do to make the situation at least tolerable, short of donning headphones every waking hour. Depending on your budget and how much you can do to the unit, you can choose from these options, which range from simple solutions to substantial renovation projects. (Bonus: these techniques can also benefit your neighbors if it turns out you’re the noisy neighbor their mothers warned them about.)
Walls and ceilings
Although owners can usually remodel the interior of their condos with no trouble, common walls are still considered the property of the condo association. Be sure to ask their permission before you start knocking them down and modifying them.
· Hire a professional contractor to put cellulose insulation into the shared wall.
· Install an additional layer of fiberglass insulation to the ceiling and the walls.
Doors and windows
No matter how small the gaps in the doors and windows are, those pesky sound waves can still travel through them and into your condo. Sound can also travel better through low-grade materials.
· If the door is flimsy, replace it with a solid-core one that will dampen any outside noise.
· Attach foam strips between the door and the jamb to create a seal whenever the door is closed.
· If you have money to spare, install double-pane windows.
· Hang up thick curtains to block any sound. Your condo might appear a tad bit darker now, but that’s another issue.
· If you never open the windows, use painter’s caulk to fill the gaps. If you enjoy a bit of fresh air once in a while, insert sheet rock or window plugs, which you can remove and put back easily.
Furniture and fabric
Sound waves bounce off smooth surfaces, so you need furniture and other materials around the unit that will absorb the sound instead.
· Cover up your hardwood floors with area rugs or carpets to absorb sound from the neighbor below, and to spare them if you tend to clomp around the room when you walk.
· Choose bulky furniture or ones with a rough finish to keep sound from bouncing off them.
· Move big bookshelves or any other large furniture against walls that you share with a neighbor to block the sounds coming from their unit.
Jillian Cariola, Writer
(cover image by Stock Media)
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