Soundproofing Outdoor Patio

mincemeat on 30/08/2021 - 10:15
Last edited 08/09/2021 - 06:37

So, all my prayers to the 3000 gods out there hasn't worked, and the foghorn next door has just renewed her lease. ****. So I'm going to need some sound proofing ideas and advice for our patio that sits adjacent to hers otherwise its going to be the 24/7 summer of hell, when she'll keep her patio doors open. We shut ours usually as she's just unbearable. Our living room opens up onto the patio next to hers. A wall separates us which does work for normal voices. So anyone out there got ideas that don't involve duct tape. I get that her sound is airborne rather than impact noise, but could I add some mass to the separating wall perhaps, like some sort of barrier to at least reduce it? Cheers

Edit: Even with our windows and doors closed up and the TV on at a comfortable volume we can still hear the foghorn.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • pformag on 30/08/2021 - 10:40
    +6

    .ms paint plan

  • Jugganautx on 30/08/2021 - 10:42
    +1

    Have you politely commented at the train horn to have some goddamn consideration for others ?

    Or is this a last resort type of deal?

    • Archi on 30/08/2021 - 10:51
      +3

      in some cases it would be probably be met with some apologies and change in behaviour, but in my personal experience more often than not it is a queue for the other party to get even more louder, annoying and having the entitled attitude of, it's my place i can do what i want

    • mincemeat on 30/08/2021 - 11:14

      yeah Archi nailed it. She knows, she just doesn't care.

  • Euphemistic on 30/08/2021 - 10:51
    +2

    Yes, it sucks. But the more it annoys you, the more it will annoy you.

    You could add some mass to the walls, get some sound proofing plasterboard and install with a air gap.

    Add plants in front of it.

    Get a louder stereo.

    • mincemeat on 30/08/2021 - 11:16

      bang on. The more I hear it….
      I have thought about the stereo and that will be an option sometimes, but I don't want to find myself in a situation where my other neighbours on the other side of me are complaining. We've got big plants to use, just wondering what the best wall material will be to help with the echo

  • Keplaffintech on 30/08/2021 - 10:55
    +1

    What's the separating wall made off? If it's brick, there isn't much more mass you can add to that, the bulk of the sound will just be carrying itself around the wall.

    • mincemeat on 30/08/2021 - 11:17

      yeah its brick mate and you're exactly right, its travelling right around as I type !

  • coffeeinmyveins on 30/08/2021 - 10:55
    +1

    What is the noise? her speaking loudly, music?

    • mincemeat on 30/08/2021 - 11:18
      +2

      shouting every single word from sunrise to late night.

      • coffeeinmyveins on 30/08/2021 - 11:22
        +1

        Have you tried talking to them?

        I understand this isn't always the best option depending on their level of aggression and could make it worse, but you'd be the best judge of that.

        It won't get any better, and I've been in a situation where an annoying noise made me more angry (footsteps in the apartment above) to the point where I boiled over and screamed at them - not good.

        • mincemeat on 30/08/2021 - 12:35

          Yeah I understand with the footstep situation and rising blood pressure. I've had a lot of different neighbours and experienced different scenarios which helps knowing when to compromise, accept it or approach someone. Her other neighbour gave up and moved out and long term thats looking like our solution too (although that doesn't always mean you won't have bigger problems at a new location). They tried talking to her and she only got more defiant and noisy, which unfortunately we saw coming. We are lucky that we wake up early before she starts up the 100 decibel voice box at 6am.

          • Domingo on 30/08/2021 - 16:09

            @mincemeat: I believe noise restrictions typically start applying from 7am, so you could be within your rights to make a complaint about the noise before that time to kick off a council investigation.

            Not the most friendly way of going about it, but if you've exhausted the reasonable discussion routes then it could potentially help. If it was just during the day it could be a little difficult but if it starts very early then that may help.

            Have you spoken to any of the other neighbours about it? It couldn't hurt to be going to the council as a group complaint.

            • mincemeat on 31/08/2021 - 08:44

              @Domingo: Another neighbour knows, but doesn't want to get involved. Don't blame them though as the end result isn't worth it. The council and EPA won't do anything unless its machinery or vehicles being revved up that sort of thing and it has to be consistently loud, plus they have to be there to hear it !
              So they redirected us to the police, yeah hi I know its a pandemic and everything but our neighbour talks too loud, yeah no. I understand they have to build up a case too and be called out to listen to it.
              So thats why I posted… our only short term options are fight fire with fire or try to minimise it.

      • kolorijo on 30/08/2021 - 12:17
        +1

        Stream it on Youtube

  • hothed on 30/08/2021 - 11:31
    +1

    The cheapest/easier option would be to increase the sound level in your own house through the use of background music / white noise.

    Acoustic panels on any walls that reflect noise will help

    Keeping windows and doors closed will stop the sound penetrating your house. Double glazed helps signifiantly.
    Seal up any airgaps.

    Make an offer to her landlord and buy them out. :)

    Otherwise lots of plants to absorb the noise out the back. Plant something that attracts the birds so they tweet all day.

    • mincemeat on 30/08/2021 - 12:27

      haha, thanks champ, hate birds!

      I have almost splurged on some sound screening, was just unsure if the acoustic panels should be something on her flippin side.

      And the windows and doors closed works for now, but as the weather heats up we'd like the fresh summer air too without feeling like we live with miss foghorn.

  • Seraphin7 on 30/08/2021 - 12:52
    +1

    Why is all the shouting going on? Who's she shouting at?

    • mincemeat on 31/08/2021 - 12:15

      she's just shouting regular speech. You can't hear the person talking back to her either. I've found myself laughing sometimes as I can hear her up the street coming home ! Infact everything she does is three times louder than most people, you know the kind, but I've drawn the line at her voice I can't stand it.

      • JIMB0 on 31/08/2021 - 12:16

        Is she a Collingwood supporter?

        • mincemeat on 31/08/2021 - 12:21

          haha . I should know this by now, since I hear absolutely everything else.

      • Seraphin7 on 31/08/2021 - 12:47

        HeyZeus … sounds like a total idiot.

  • HerpinDerp on 30/08/2021 - 12:53
    +1

    Is there glass? If so, it's expensive but Magnetite (soundtite) has absolutely changed noise levels for me. I had a similar situation.

    Seal every little crack and drought proof everything. I repaired all the seals on the window with <$30 of materials. As mentioned above, weight to walls.

    • mincemeat on 31/08/2021 - 12:18

      I sealed up all our glass windows during winter. But the actual wall separating our patios is brick. If we can't minimise her noise with various suggestions on here, then yep we are going to have to close up that part of the house …. which doesn't bear thinking about at this point ahead of the summer.

  • Domingo on 30/08/2021 - 12:58
    +1

    Dunno what state are you in but this is an interesting read:
    https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/publications/406-8

    • mincemeat on 31/08/2021 - 12:19

      thanks, I called them and they only really deal with machinery and loud vehicles being worked on, or consistent loud music after hours.

  • artfin on 30/08/2021 - 13:57
    +1

    An acquaintance fixed acoustic panels to the top and bottom of his balcony glass rolling doors + windows and although they didn't fully solve the problem, the difference in noice reduction from outside is noticeable.

    https://www.amazon.com.au/Decorative-Acoustic-Soundproofing-…

    On top of that you can try to seal your balcony doors so it doesn't let as much sound come in.

  • slow on 30/08/2021 - 14:04
    +2

    Record it and then play it back to her loudly

    • geek001 on 30/08/2021 - 14:55
      +3

      Record it and make a meme. It will 100% not help, but at least you get to have some fun. :)

    • bumblebeetuna on 31/08/2021 - 13:57

      I think i would try this if other legal avenues didn't work. With a decent microphone well placed, try to capture enough clear conversation, then play it back repeatedly. Hopefully with some content that they don't like having repeated :)

      But make sure the equipment can be taken down and hidden easily, or you might be subject to the some noise laws yourself!

      OP, not sure where you are, but in SA at least there is the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016 (LNLC Act). It's reasonably broad, probably deliberately. I have previously made police reports about Domestic Noise with reference to this act (police actually recommended it). Continued police records, even if they do not attend, can be used with any further complaint to local Council, again with reference to any local Act, just keep all those reference numbers. I would probably agree that it would be a drawn out process that would probably not have many or any positive outcomes.

      Last resort would be beefing up any barrier between your properties - i.e. raise height, make it airtight, add mass, a bit like those barriers around many servos and roads to block noise into homes. You would not want any sound absorber, but some sound deadening or deflecting. Adding mass will help stop vibrations, adding height and sealing gaps will help stop sound leaking through.

      Good luck.

  • kingsville on 30/08/2021 - 15:12
    +3

    Good luck.

    We don't have much of a problem, but I find leaving some music playing on the patio helps when there is significant noise from next door.
    The music isn't loud (just an alexa on comfortable volume) but it provides a 'white noise' or background that means the other sounds are less abrupt.
    We usually do this when the back door is open, but it stays on if we are going in and out a bit.

    If the foghorn hates your choice of tunes they might even shut their patio door sometimes…

    • mincemeat on 31/08/2021 - 12:12
      +1

      Great idea. Are you playing it on a smart speaker outside? I think we're going three pronged attack, some sound buffering batts from Bunnings, big plants, and possibly smart speaker perched on the outdoor window ledge.
      We already stopped being mindful in the kitchen and I personally make as much noise as possible since we all currently work from home. I have heard foghorn huff and puff followed by a window slam, which felt like a small victory, but its a long game and I don't fancy dealing with this pest all summer long.

      • kingsville on 31/08/2021 - 13:27
        +1

        Yep - $10 well spent: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/642104

        [It has a 'rain sound' skill too!]

        • mincemeat on 01/09/2021 - 06:24

          cheers mate. will come in handy throughout the day. Still relying on the sound proofing though so we dont have to start playing spotify at 6am !

  • tin tin on 31/08/2021 - 10:21
    +1

    A water feature would create a bit of white noise which would help?

    • mincemeat on 31/08/2021 - 12:04

      funny you say that, I installed a Rain App on my phone as some of the solutions we looked into for neighbour noise included the white noise machines with rain sounds etc

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