Keep It Down: Sound-Proofing Your Space
FEBRUARY 11, 2010
If your neighbors are losing patience with your high heels clacking on the floor—or you just got a new drum kit—there are a few things you can do
to soften the blow.
The city’s noise code was updated in late 2007. It provides incentives for contractors to get their work done more quietly in addition to giving residents some simple suggestions—like using power tools at appropriate times, keeping the dog’s barking in check, and keeping the volume down on “pervasive bass sounds”—which means don’t crank the stereo until the dishes are dancing.
Outside of covering floor with carpet or rugs, you’ll need to do a little more work. Fortunately, soundproofing technologies continue to improve. Some good ideas:
• A handy compound called “green glue” can be used between sheets of drywall to keep sound in or out.
• Heavy carpeting or soundproof tiles on the floor muffles noise for neighbors below.
• False ceilings can be insulated to keep upstairs neighbors happy.
• Replace hollow-core doors with solid ones.
You can get more ideas for soundproofing your space from more experienced noise-wranglers (via Apartment Therapy), or consult a professional. If you’re really lucky, your building will have its own practice space—the Kalahari Harlem offers a music practice room as one of its many amenities.
ALSO IN NEW YORK CITY INSIDER
- 30 Park Place Vs. The Baccarat Hotel and Residences - JUL 8, 2014
- This Week in NYC Living - JUL 1, 2014
- Notable NYC Neighbors - JUN 26, 2014
- Great NYC Buildings: New in the Heights - JUN 23, 2014
- Notable NYC Neighbors - JUN 20, 2014
- Notable NYC Neighbors - JUN 17, 2014
- Building Vs. Building - JUN 9, 2014
- Notable NYC Neighbors - JUN 6, 2014
- Notable NYC Neighbors - MAY 23, 2014
- Notable NYC Neighbors - MAY 15, 2014
- Great NYC Apartment Buildings: 12 East 13th Street vs. 22 Central Park South - MAY 13, 2014
- Notable NYC Neighbors - MAY 7, 2014
- Notable NYC Neighbors - MAY 1, 2014
- Upping the Architectural Ante in NoHo - APR 22, 2014
- Great NYC Buildings: Brooklyn's Gold Coast Living - APR 15, 2014
- Notable NYC Neighbors - APR 11, 2014
- Building vs. Building - APR 10, 2014
- Notable NYC Neighbors - APR 2, 2014
- This Week in NYC Living - APR 1, 2014
- Notable NYC Neighbors - MAR 26, 2014
- View Articles By Date
6sqft delivers the latest on real estate, architecture, and design, straight from New York City.
