I've lived in my ranch-style house for about 15 years, and I didn't notice how noisy it was until I stopped using the far bedroom. It has a slab floor, while the other part of the house has oak flooring and a decent crawl space. We decided to save on electricity by not using the back bedroom. I added new attic insulation, which helped a bit, but I'm still bothered by the noise from neighbors, especially their arguments, even though they live about 75 yards away. Just last night, new neighbors were blasting Latin music. I'm considering carpet for some sound dampening, but would that help? Any suggestions?
3 Answers
Insulating the underside of your floor might be a great option. It can effectively reduce noise coming through the crawl space. Also, check if there are gaps around your windows; sealing those can provide a big difference. Adding wall hangings or rugs can absorb sound as well. And if it's still noisy after all that, consider playing some background music to mask the noise!
Noise from neighbors can definitely be frustrating! Consider adding some landscaping like a hedge wall for extra privacy and sound insulation. It might help block some of the noise from your neighbors.
If you want to explore window options, triple-pane windows can really help block outside noise. They significantly reduce ambient sounds, although they won’t eliminate them completely.
I live on a hill too, and the trees definitely act as a barrier. If you already have some trees between your house and the neighbors, that should help!