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