I would rather say that it would be a low blow to assume the neighbor is complaining and sensitive rather than seeking information to understand how much more noise they might hear compared to other houses around (we have neighbors closer and have lived here for several years without any indication that it would be a problem for others). The reason I don't bring up that question directly with the neighbor is of course out of respect for them and their new beautiful house - it wouldn't be very good for neighborly harmony to drop such a comment to them.K KriZomb said:
Furthermore, I don't care who built the villa, it looks nice on the outside and the important thing is that they are satisfied and happy with their purchase. If it turns out that someone in the forum has experience in where the standard might differ between Eastern Europe and Sweden, it could help us understand their situation better and for the sake of neighborly harmony, we could help each other by keeping the children inside more in the short term and they, in turn, perhaps install sound traps in the ventilation.
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Many here seem to perceive the question as a slight accusation against the neighbors, which is why it leads to speculation. The fact is that you're using this example to wonder about the insulation in their house, which implies you could do something about it if the answer was that it's lacking. However, I think you're simply curious, is that right? If so, it suffices to note that it's more likely the ventilation, IF it's a problem, which you've already done. Maybe you could suggest to the neighbors to address it if the problem escalates, but personally, I would hesitate to offer such tips as they tend to sound like accusations, no matter how well-intentioned.
Otherwise, it seems like you are simply getting to know your neighbors, and such situations sometimes arise. Both will start to understand and adapt eventually as the relationship develops (assuming both parties are normally inclined
).
Good luck!
Otherwise, it seems like you are simply getting to know your neighbors, and such situations sometimes arise. Both will start to understand and adapt eventually as the relationship develops (assuming both parties are normally inclined
).Good luck!
Thank you! I'm just trying to understand more to not act impulsively if/when they come over again since it's not good for neighborly relations. So I'm not trying to accuse the neighbors. On the contrary, based on the little initial contact we've had, they seem nice as I think I've written more than once in the threadPytt said:
Many here seem to perceive the question as a small accusation against the neighbors, and therefore there are speculations. For the fact is that you use this example to wonder about the insulation in their house, and then it implies that you could do something about it if you got the answer that it is inadequate. However, I think you are simply curious, is that correct? In such cases, it is enough to state that it is more likely the ventilation, IF it is a problem, which you have already done. Something you might possibly advise the neighbors to fix if the problem escalates, but personally, I would hesitate to give such advice as they tend to sound like accusations, no matter how well-meaning they are. Otherwise, it seems like you are simply getting to know your neighbors, such situations sometimes arise and both will begin to understand and adapt as the relationship develops (provided both parties are normally balanced
But as you pointed out, the question becomes sensitive and we are getting to know each other. We want to have as good a relationship as possible, potentially living next to each other for at least 20 years... So no, I won't directly say they should fix things on their house but am curious if it's possible in discreet ways to get them to try measures that go in the right direction so we both have a good living situation. IF it becomes a problem that is, hopefully, it was just a one-time occurrence and everything is fine. Then I've only gained a bit more knowledge about sound insulation and building standards along the way through the thread.
No, the neighbor has issues with tolerance of other people. If it's, as you say, a family gathering that probably happens at most once a year, the neighbor simply has to put up with it. If they have coddled their children to the point where they can't sleep because it's a bit noisy outside, that's not your problem.
Now, I am also literate, and I did not in any way write that it applies 24/7/365 but specifically this occasion when the neighbor came over. The question, however, remains, why are the children out so late? Why don't the parents arrange some quieter indoor play opportunities at that time?S Sir Duke said:
It is my experience of Easter weekend + children playing outside while the adults are inside. I haven't said in any way that this applied specifically to TS. It is free interpretation, like which company built the house and thereby which material or standard they usedW Wagner said:
To answer your question, "stone houses" (including light concrete or lecahouses, which your neighbor likely has) are generally better soundproofed than "wooden houses" (wooden frame with insulation and wooden facade, which you seem to have).
If the neighbor's house were significantly worse soundproofed than normal, there should also be problems with heat insulation, leading to either high heating costs, a poor (cold) indoor climate, or both.
As others have said, opening vents and windows in spring can completely ruin soundproofing, regardless of house type and quality.
Personally, I think during the first days of spring (like over Easter here), when there's also a party, you have to accept A LOT of noise from the neighbors.
Next time, it will be us having a party.
If the neighbor comes back (and you don't find the children disturbing at that moment), I would ask them to measure the sound level in the daughter's bedroom, with closed windows, using a mobile app. It gives a bit more weight to the complaint, depending on whether they (the kids) register 90 or 30dB...
Then AGAIN, some types of sound are very disturbing. No kid can fall asleep if they hear the neighbor's kids having fun outside and wish they could join, even if they can only faintly hear the sound through the wall.
Conclusion, you have to tolerate quite a bit of noise in a residential area. Our first (row) house had a playground outside the bedroom window before we had children ourselves. Not ideal.
On the other hand, we had two large parrots that were often in the garden.
We didn't complain about the neighbor's children, and they didn't complain about our parrots—even though one definitely disturbed the other at times.
/ Regards, Fredrik
If the neighbor's house were significantly worse soundproofed than normal, there should also be problems with heat insulation, leading to either high heating costs, a poor (cold) indoor climate, or both.
As others have said, opening vents and windows in spring can completely ruin soundproofing, regardless of house type and quality.
Personally, I think during the first days of spring (like over Easter here), when there's also a party, you have to accept A LOT of noise from the neighbors.
Next time, it will be us having a party.
If the neighbor comes back (and you don't find the children disturbing at that moment), I would ask them to measure the sound level in the daughter's bedroom, with closed windows, using a mobile app. It gives a bit more weight to the complaint, depending on whether they (the kids) register 90 or 30dB...
Then AGAIN, some types of sound are very disturbing. No kid can fall asleep if they hear the neighbor's kids having fun outside and wish they could join, even if they can only faintly hear the sound through the wall.
Conclusion, you have to tolerate quite a bit of noise in a residential area. Our first (row) house had a playground outside the bedroom window before we had children ourselves. Not ideal.
On the other hand, we had two large parrots that were often in the garden.
We didn't complain about the neighbor's children, and they didn't complain about our parrots—even though one definitely disturbed the other at times.
/ Regards, Fredrik
Sounds like a strict upbringing. Children must be able to play together, and they sometimes create a high noise level. If it had been 23:00, I might have been on your side, but at 21:00 there is no social code that you should be quiet.K KriZomb said:That is my experience of Easter weekend + children playing outside while the adults are inside. I have in no way said that this was the case for TS. It is open to interpretation, just like which company built the house and therefore which material or standard was used
It is absolutely noisy in residential areas, and as with everything else, common sense *should* prevail. For instance, placing a trampoline right next to a neighbor if you have a 1500 m2 plot is like asking for trouble, especially if they have a bedroom or patio nearby.
However, my own experience of over 20 years in residential areas is that new houses with fresh air vents let in significantly more noise than older houses with only narrow ceiling vents. Before we figured this out, I could lie in bed in the bedroom at the front and hear every little footstep on the street outside. After a call with Fresh, they sent a free set of noise-dampening items that we installed in all the vents, and voilà, it got much better. Another time when my wife complained about "how loud the kids on the street are," it was the front door that had shifted, letting in quite a bit of noise that way. After the carpenter fixed this, that noise was more or less gone too.
Of course, no house is completely soundproof, and vents will let in noise, especially loud sounds like children's screams. It's not fun to go to bed when the neighbor's kids are playing and having fun. However, this is hardly something you can bring up with the neighbor unless the screams are excessively loud and perhaps after 9:30 PM or something, then even I might react. For us, it's no problem as we all on the street usually keep after one another’s kids if they make excessive noise. We try to respect each other as much as possible. During large parties and so (oh yes, with dance band music) or graduation parties, you have to accept loud music until about 10-11 PM, no problem. However, these are not very common.
Then, of course, there are always earplugs...
However, my own experience of over 20 years in residential areas is that new houses with fresh air vents let in significantly more noise than older houses with only narrow ceiling vents. Before we figured this out, I could lie in bed in the bedroom at the front and hear every little footstep on the street outside. After a call with Fresh, they sent a free set of noise-dampening items that we installed in all the vents, and voilà, it got much better. Another time when my wife complained about "how loud the kids on the street are," it was the front door that had shifted, letting in quite a bit of noise that way. After the carpenter fixed this, that noise was more or less gone too.
Of course, no house is completely soundproof, and vents will let in noise, especially loud sounds like children's screams. It's not fun to go to bed when the neighbor's kids are playing and having fun. However, this is hardly something you can bring up with the neighbor unless the screams are excessively loud and perhaps after 9:30 PM or something, then even I might react. For us, it's no problem as we all on the street usually keep after one another’s kids if they make excessive noise. We try to respect each other as much as possible. During large parties and so (oh yes, with dance band music) or graduation parties, you have to accept loud music until about 10-11 PM, no problem. However, these are not very common.
Then, of course, there are always earplugs...
I sleep best when my SDS-Max rotary hammer with a pointed chisel sings right into my tense eardrums, while it's driven straight into the bedrock, 2 centimeters from my ears. Then I usually pass out within a few seconds...D Daniel 109 said:
No, but seriously. Can't be bothered to read through all the posts. But if you have a good relationship with the neighbor, can't you ask if they want the noise level measured inside while you have a certain noise level outside? And in that way, find out if the house is poorly insulated or not? Because if you have a good relationship, then it could be time and money well spent for such a measurement. Possibly, you could also demand that the contractor redo and do it right in that case? It should be in the neighbor's interest.
Otherwise, you might offer a subscription to sleeping aids for the daughter? With a risk of some physical confrontation as a result...
...no, kidding aside...9 PM too late for kids to be out, during a major holiday?K KriZomb said:
Someone planning to get the kids up at 5 in the morning or?
I agree, it sounds more like your neighbor suffers from "princess syndrome." Kids playing outside at 9 PM on a weekend is completely normal in a residential area.A Adam F said:
He must have understood that you were having some kind of party when there were other kids besides your own in the garden and several cars parked on the street outside.
To then come over and ask you to bring the kids inside is really being oversensitive and lacking an understanding of how to behave.