One of the most common questions you get in the soundproofing business is how do I stop noise coming through my party wall?

Noise coming from next door in terraced or semi-detached properties is something countless people are left to put up with on a daily basis. From flushing toilets to people walking up and downstairs, loud music and voices, if you own this type of property you will hear them all at one point or another.

So what’s the solution, can you stop this noise travelling through the walls altogether?

The answer to this is a simple no if you are only dealing with part of the problem by treating a party wall itself.

Much can be done of course to add sound insulation to a party wall and this will help reduce sound proof panels made from materials which absorb sound better. Part of the problem with noise transfer between houses lies in the construction, which is designed to meet minimum standards.

Noise can also travel around walls and through roof spaces so it is difficult if not impossible to eliminate noise entirely unless changes are made to the structure which often isn’t possible. If you are adding sound proof panels then this will also require compromises on space.

However, if you have particularly noisy neighbours, losing that space can be a price worth paying for some peace and quiet.