| While condo buyers have to look into various factors | | | | kitchen or bath above your bedroom, instead of |
| before deciding on the purchase of a condo, one | | | | another bedroom, could prove noisy. 3. Sound insulation |
| major aspect that remains very important is the noise | | | | of windows: Make sure the windows have dual panes |
| factor. Condo living and noise often seem to go hand | | | | for better sound reduction. These absorb more sound |
| in hand. Many condo owners are plagued by noise | | | | than single pane windows. The type of glass pane |
| issues. Whether it is due to footfall noise caused by | | | | used for window also counts greatly. Ensure that the |
| hardwood floors, or the sound transmitting through the | | | | panes are a lot thicker for better insulation of sound. |
| walls, condo noise could be very disturbing. This | | | | Also, larger the air cavities between glass panes |
| common but unlivable problem can totally disrupt | | | | means greater noise reduction. 4. Solid doors: Use |
| peaceful living, even though the condo may be | | | | firmer doors that have a solid core instead of hollow |
| otherwise perfect. If you are a prospective | | | | ones to keep out noise effectively. Builders are |
| condominium buyer, then here are a few points that | | | | increasingly concentrating on noise management |
| are worth taking into consideration before your | | | | especially in multifamily projects and it is recommended |
| purchase. Condo buyers are better off inspecting the | | | | that buyers speak to the builder to know about the |
| condo to check if every part of the home is noise | | | | construction details that enhance noise reduction. |
| proof before finalizing the contract. Mike Komula, is an | | | | Some of the questions to put across to the builder |
| acoustician with Dudek, a California environmental | | | | would be to verify the following: 1. If the shared walls |
| consulting firm that helps builders assess the acoustic | | | | are double walls. A double wall instead of a stud wall |
| qualities of new buildings. Here are a few tips offered | | | | of 2x4 foot absorbs more noise due to the wider air |
| by him for buyers to check for in the condo before | | | | gap between the 2 walls. 2. Check for the number of |
| they sign a contract. 1. Check for noise by making | | | | layers of drywall on each side because more the |
| some - The best way to see if the adjacent units | | | | number of layers, better the sound absorption. 3. |
| produce noise that seeps through to the rooms in your | | | | Check if walls and ceilings have good sound absorbing |
| condo is to test by making noise in the units next door. | | | | material such as resilient metal channels. 4. Check the |
| Test for noise by turning on the radio, flushing the | | | | floor for a lightweight layer of concrete topping. It |
| toilets and walking along the floors. One should also | | | | offers substantial noise reduction in airborne and |
| check for the plumbing noises made by bath and sink | | | | impact noise by adding mass. Another important thing |
| taps which could produce vibrations along the walls or | | | | that Condominium buyers should check is the STC or |
| noise when too small. 2. Check multistory floor layouts: | | | | Sound Transmission Class rating. An STC rating of 65 |
| Check the layout of the floors to make sure that | | | | indicates that the walls and floor-ceiling construction |
| rooms are placed compatibly above one another. A | | | | between units are of better sound proofing. |