We moved to the city and can't bear the noise: What's the best way to soundproof our home?
The house we've bought is semi-detached and on a fairly busy road. There are also lots of neighbours nearby which we're not used to.
What's the best way to soundproof our house from noisy neighbours and road noise?
How much could this all cost and is any planning permission needed?
Jane Denton, of This is Money, replies: It is no surprise that you are wincing at the increase in noise having moved from a rural idyll to the inner city.
Sound can travel in two ways. The first is through the air, such as people talking across a room, while the second is via impact vibrations, like footsteps on floorboards.
Many houses in Britain have thin walls, floors and ceilings without adequate soundproofing or insulation.
If you are willing to put the money into it, there are a myriad of soundproofing options available. You can soundproof walls, ceilings, doors and even floors.
I asked two experts for their advice.
Clive Holland, a broadcaster on Fix Radio, says: Moving from a rural area to a busy city street can definitely make noise a bigger issue, especially in a semi-detached house where neighbours are close by.
The best way to soundproof your home is to take a comprehensive approach - addressing windows, walls, floors and doors. This will help create a much quieter and more comfortable living environment.
I'd start with the windows and doors, as these are often the main entry points for noise.
Upgrading to double or triple glazing can make a huge difference in cutting down outside noise.
For a typical semi-detached house, replacing all the windows might cost between £4,000 and £7,000 depending on the size and type of glazing you choose.
Sealing any gaps around window frames and doors with draught-proofing strips or acoustic seals is also important.
Next, I'd look at the walls. Many older properties lack proper sound insulation, so adding acoustic panels or building a new internal stud wall with insulation can help a lot - as well as keep in warmth.
It usually costs between £50 and £100 per square metre, depending on the materials and whether you hire a professional.
Bear in mind that internal wall insulation will reduce your room size a little, so you'll want to plan carefully.
Floors are another big factor. If you have suspended timber floors, adding insulation underneath and using carpets with a thick underlay can absorb noise effectively.
For concrete floors, acoustic underlays or floating floors designed to reduce sound work well.
Costs vary but expect to spend at least £1,000 depending on the size of the area and method chosen.
Ceilings shouldn't be forgotten either, especially for those who get noise from upstairs neighbours.
Adding soundproofing layers beneath the ceiling using resilient bars and acoustic plasterboard is effective, though it can be more disruptive and costly.
Additionally, internal soundproofing generally doesn't require planning permission since you're not changing the exterior.
However, if you're thinking of external changes like secondary glazing or cladding, it's wise to check with the local council first.
All told, a full soundproofing job from top to bottom could cost between £8,000 and £20,000 depending on the size of your home and the work involved.
It's a big investment but well worth it for peace and quiet. I'd recommend getting a professional survey and quotes to find the best solution for your property.
Phil Lyons, managing director of The Soundproofing Store, says: Most domestic noise travels through common routes.
In terraced or semi-detached houses, noise often comes through shared party walls, carrying the sounds of voices, TV or music from next door.
In flats, ceilings and floors can transmit footsteps and other impact noise between levels.
Even within your own home, internal stud walls and timber floors can let noise pass from room to room.
And of course, windows and doors are often the weak points when it comes to traffic and street noise outside.
You will need to break the link between the walls and the soundproofing layers to stop sound vibrations travelling through.
Use specialist soundproofing fixings as they isolate soundproofing layers from the offending wall.
Soak up sound vibrations using elastic, damping materials or closed cell foam.
You can also increase the density of the wall with heavy materials like mass loaded vinyl, FlexiSound and acoustic plasterboard to block airborne noise.
The great thing about soundproofing your wall is that soundproofing works both ways. If you can hear your neighbours, most often than not they can also hear you. Soundproofing one side of the party wall achieves quiet and privacy for both homes.
When it comes to road and street noise, windows and doors are often the most vulnerable areas.
Upgrade to well-fitted, high-spec double or triple glazing with acoustic glass, or adding secondary glazing if replacing the windows isn't an option.
It's also crucial to make sure window and door frames are properly sealed to prevent sound leaking through gaps.
Costs for soundproofing vary depending on the size of the area involved.
Soundproofing is an investment in your health and well-being. Done properly, you'll only need to do it once, and the improvement in your quality of life is priceless.
An expert will be able to provide you with a tailored quote.
You don't need planning permission to soundproof internal walls, floors, or ceilings as it's considered internal home improvement.
If you plan to change windows on a listed building, check with your local council first, as you may need consent.
How to find a new mortgage
Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible.
Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can.
Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C
> Mortgage rates calculator
> Find the right mortgage for you
What if I need to remortgage?
Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act.
Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it.
Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees.
Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone.
What if I am buying a home?
Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be.
Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power.
What about buy-to-let landlords
Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages.
This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too.
How to compare mortgage costs
The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker.
This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice.
Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs.
If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you.
> Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C
Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
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