New build semi - how good is sound proofing
Discussion
As per title, I'm considering a new build (yes, I know) and one of the ones I'm looking at is a semi. Most of the site is up now but handily there are some google earth shots from when some of the semis were being laid out.
As far as I can see this looks like a cavity wall between them, would this provide better sound proofing than usual or have semi-detached had a wall cavity for as long as anyone remembers and this is basically nothing new or remarkable?
I did previously live in a 2005 built semi and it was OK but possible to hear loud music through the wall, but I'm not sure if building regs have improved since then.
As far as I can see this looks like a cavity wall between them, would this provide better sound proofing than usual or have semi-detached had a wall cavity for as long as anyone remembers and this is basically nothing new or remarkable?
I did previously live in a 2005 built semi and it was OK but possible to hear loud music through the wall, but I'm not sure if building regs have improved since then.
Ah interesting, I'll ask about that.
There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
I built a couple of pair of semis a few years ago, they were built to regs and the sound test was above and beyond a pass, the test guy actually commented it was one of the best he had done. You could still hear noise from next door, not bad but not perfect. I live in a 30 year old semi and it’s pretty awful, my last house was 20 years old and far better. In short, it’s hit and miss and really depends how loud your neighbour's are.
Ask the site agent if they apply a parge coat (sound coat plaster) at first fix stage, this goes on quite rough but seals the wall, usually before stud walls go up so they cover the complete party wall.
Sales staff probably wouldn t know so you d be best going into the site office when the site agent is there.
Or poke your head in a plot before it gets boarded, if the party wall looks like it s been rendered it has a sound coat on.
Sales staff probably wouldn t know so you d be best going into the site office when the site agent is there.
Or poke your head in a plot before it gets boarded, if the party wall looks like it s been rendered it has a sound coat on.
Little Lofty said:
I built a couple of pair of semis a few years ago, they were built to regs and the sound test was above and beyond a pass, the test guy actually commented it was one of the best he had done. You could still hear noise from next door, not bad but not perfect. I live in a 30 year old semi and it s pretty awful, my last house was 20 years old and far better. In short, it s hit and miss and really depends how loud your neighbour's are.
Interesting, but I guess proves why I've got some concerns, you just don't seem able to tell even from looking at the specification.Promised Land said:
Ask the site agent if they apply a parge coat (sound coat plaster) at first fix stage, this goes on quite rough but seals the wall, usually before stud walls go up so they cover the complete party wall.
Sales staff probably wouldn t know so you d be best going into the site office when the site agent is there.
Or poke your head in a plot before it gets boarded, if the party wall looks like it s been rendered it has a sound coat on.
Good shout, will do, thanks!Sales staff probably wouldn t know so you d be best going into the site office when the site agent is there.
Or poke your head in a plot before it gets boarded, if the party wall looks like it s been rendered it has a sound coat on.
In theory hall adjoining and hence stairs on the party wall are better for sound proofing ( or not noticing it ).
My experience was the opposite. Feet thumping up and down the stairs. I moved.
At the end of the day I think it is down to your neighbours with any semi. The next house I lived in was a semi and I never heard a thing. They were both similar age and construction.
My experience was the opposite. Feet thumping up and down the stairs. I moved.
At the end of the day I think it is down to your neighbours with any semi. The next house I lived in was a semi and I never heard a thing. They were both similar age and construction.
We lived in a new-build (15 years ago), couldn’t hear the neighbours at all except when they slammed their front door, which was often.
The neighbour was a vile hag, living in such close proximity was a real issue for me.
What if the buyer of nextdoor decides to rent it out to a housing association etc
Tread carefully.
The neighbour was a vile hag, living in such close proximity was a real issue for me.
What if the buyer of nextdoor decides to rent it out to a housing association etc
Tread carefully.
Blue Oval84 said:
Ah interesting, I'll ask about that.
There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
Go for it. You will find a way There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
You will be in a great position later and really will be happier.
We lived in a succession of Victorian/Edwardian terraces - you could hear the neighbours in all of them - especially the piano playing sound composer next door to our last house.
Son's GF lives in a modern semi and sound transmission is still there. I suppose it depends on your sensitivity/tolerance to other people's noise.
We moved to a detached.
Son's GF lives in a modern semi and sound transmission is still there. I suppose it depends on your sensitivity/tolerance to other people's noise.
We moved to a detached.
Gary C said:
Blue Oval84 said:
Ah interesting, I'll ask about that.
There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
Go for it. You will find a way There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
You will be in a great position later and really will be happier.
Gary C said:
Blue Oval84 said:
Ah interesting, I'll ask about that.
There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
Go for it. You will find a way There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
You will be in a great position later and really will be happier.
This!
FutureYou™ will thank you
mikeiow said:
Gary C said:
Blue Oval84 said:
Ah interesting, I'll ask about that.
There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
Go for it. You will find a way There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
You will be in a great position later and really will be happier.
This!
FutureYou will thank you
Before where we are now, we lived in a reasonably new (2019) semi and other than the occasional noise when our neighbours had their cleaners in, we heard almost nothing, and vice versa. The people who bought our house were/are evidently much noisier than us and our old neighbours have said they hear their new neighbour’s TV, music etc. every evening, all evening.
We would never buy a semi again.
mikeiow said:
Gary C said:
Blue Oval84 said:
Ah interesting, I'll ask about that.
There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
Go for it. You will find a way There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
You will be in a great position later and really will be happier.
This!
FutureYou will thank you
First house was a 1980's estate built semi (stairs on party wall) but could still hear everything thro the walls - hated it
Second house was same size but detached - huge improvement
Third house (current one for 35 years) was a bit of a state when we got it but enabled us to get a slightly bigger detached - there is no way I would go back to a semi (I'd rather have a very old terraced with solid walls)
MrBarry123 said:
mikeiow said:
Gary C said:
Blue Oval84 said:
Ah interesting, I'll ask about that.
There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
Go for it. You will find a way There is a detached I'm also looking at but it is REALLY stretching the budget to the point that for at least the first few years of living there I will have no social life and no buffer, all of my money would be going on mortgage payments which leaves me a little uncomfortable even though the house is perfect.
You will be in a great position later and really will be happier.
This! FutureYou will thank you
Before where we are now, we lived in a reasonably new (2019) semi and other than the occasional noise when our neighbours had their cleaners in, we heard almost nothing, and vice versa. The people who bought our house were/are evidently much noisier than us and our old neighbours have said they hear their new neighbour s TV, music etc. every evening, all evening.
We would never buy a semi again.
My advice would be to go for the detached house if you possibly can. I would suggest that no matter how good the soundproofing (and I recognise that it could be really good), if you get attached neighbours with the whole smash of barking dogs, screaming baby and a couple of other children, you will hear noise whenever at home.
The new house should be exciting and joyous, and a few years that are tight financially are, I think, a price worth paying.
The new house should be exciting and joyous, and a few years that are tight financially are, I think, a price worth paying.
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