The first question to ask yourself if you’re thinking about buying a townhouse is “is living in a noise-free townhouse important?” Well, there are many reasons to be wary of living in townhouses. While the walls of a townhouse are typically thick, you must also consider the fact that the townhouses are connected. The walls of the master bedroom and living room are shared.
Open windows
The problem of noise pollution is more common in townhouses than single family homes. Since townhouses are on the ground, they are more susceptible to traffic noise, especially spikes and rumbles. But while townhouses do not have the same exposed sides as single-family homes, they do have fewer windows, and as a result, less noise will enter the home. The solution? Upgrade your windows. Try choosing windows with mixed millimeter glass. This type of glass is thicker on the outside, so it will dampen sounds in different ways.
Shared doors
Several townhouses share doors, creating an air gap between the homes, which causes a lot of noise. Sound waves easily enter through this gap, particularly if the townhouse is old. Regularly loud sounds can cause health problems, especially in children. If shared doors are too noisy, you may want to consider knocking them down. There are several ways to tackle this issue. A good solution is to knock down the shared doors and fill in the space with a wall.
John Wayne Airport
Those who live near the John Wayne Airport might be wondering how to minimize the noise that the airplanes produce while living in a townhouse. The airport’s runway is relatively short and air carriers typically rev their engines before taking off. However, they must follow federal safety rules when they do take off and land. The airport is also regulated by the Orange County government, which works alongside the City of Newport Beach and the non-profit group Stop Polluting Our Newport to protect the community’s character.
Concrete walls
While it is true that living in a townhouse can be loud, this problem is often not related to the noise of your neighbor’s neighbors. In fact, a study by the Portland Cement Association found that concrete walls can absorb about 1/4 of the noise of a wooden home. That means that loud speech across a wood frame wall is audible while it is virtually unhearable when delivered through a concrete block wall. The solution to this problem is to thicken the walls and add sound-absorbing materials to the air space.
STC-rated doors
In a townhouse, the sound-proofing of your doors and windows is a huge deal, and it can be hard to keep noise out unless you install STC-rated doors. Hollow core apartment doors have a low STC rating, while good-quality STC doors can have an STC rating of up to 55. However, these doors are heavy, and you may need to replace them with specially-made ones.
Privacy ideas for townhouse gardens
If you’re looking for privacy in your townhouse garden, try planting one of the following plants. Vines are ideal for small gardens, as they can be trained to grow up a trellis or arbor. Passion fruit is pretty and edible, while star jasmine offers a beautiful flower. Low-maintenance plants are also a good option. Keep in mind that privacy screens can either be permanent or temporary.
Soundproofing materials
Whether you live in a single family home or a townhouse, there are many advantages to soundproofing your home. It will keep noisy neighbors at bay and increase your privacy. Additionally, a soundproofed home will sell or rent faster. You can buy soundproofing materials that will blend in with your decor and reduce noise in your home. Here are some tips to consider when choosing soundproofing materials for townhouses.
