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