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Take note building developers. I WILL PAY MORE. There are three potential problems that we frequently come across: 1. Many building developers just don't care

Take note building developers. I WILL PAY MORE. There are three potential problems that we frequently come across: 1. Many building developers just don't care, so long as the structure meets minimum code (which is typically based on the International Building Code model standard of STC 50) 2. Many building developers (and architects) may care, but don't have the knowledge to pull it off. They may even design sound insulation measures based on existing designs, but may not be aware that a particular detail difference between the reference design and their design may render the the sound insulation moot. 3. The developers and/or architects may care and may have the knowledge to properly design the structure, but the contractors either don't care or don't have the knowledge to construct the building properly leading to short-circuits or substitutions the render the sound insulation design useless.

Cshelton 11y ago
I'm not an architect, or familiar with construction practices, etc. My theory is however that because the demand for high end, luxury rental apartments, or even just apartments in general, is so high in some places right now that contractors/investors know that despite short-cuts and things like sound insulation, they know they can still fill the complex and meet/beat their ROI goals. The problem with that, I believe, is the demand will come and go and these buildings 10-20 years from now might have a hard time keeping the needed occupancy rate. So many things can affect that, i.e., young couples/families actually may not mind living in urban apartments, however; If a large number of complexes are terrible with noise pollution, they may opt to move to a stand alone house in the suburbs. And many other societal trends, etc. I think we are cutting corners on many new buildings right now that may create low occupancy areas later on. All the growth and development of today will be for nothing. It's the mentality of, "I don't care about this neighborhood or what it will be like in 10 years+, I can make my money now and move on, who cares". How do we make the large capital investment world care and stay interested long-term (10+ years).
- Anechoic 11y ago
  In the case of sound insulation, the solution would be to mandate sound insulation (STC) and ceiling/floor insulation (IIC) testing as a condition of obtaining the occupancy permit. Such testing is performed on HUD-financed housing and for housing where state and/or Federal authorities are kicking in funds to mitigate noise from a capital project (typically an airport, highway or rail project). For private developments, it's typically not done unless the developer thinks the architect or contractor screwed up and wants to cover his ass in the event of a lawsuit down the line.
- lmm 11y ago
  Individuals care about the future market worth of their home quite a lot (more than is healthy, IMO). If you can tell them a particular apartment will be unsellable in 10 or 20 years, they'll listen, and may well buy a different one. My theory is that there are enough people who don't care that much about noise that they'll sell fine in 10+ years too.
amalag 11y ago
Overall people are not so smart and builders take advantage of it. They can advertise "Granite countertops" but not "concrete construction"
gozur88 11y ago
The problem is most people don't know enough about construction that they can tell whether a place is going to be noisy or not. Once they're in it's too much of a hassle to move just because you can hear your neighbors fighting at 2:00 am.

Cshelton 11y ago

I'm not an architect, or familiar with construction practices, etc. My theory is however that because the demand for high end, luxury rental apartments, or even just apartments in general, is so high in some places right now that contractors/investors know that despite short-cuts and things like sound insulation, they know they can still fill the complex and meet/beat their ROI goals. The problem with that, I believe, is the demand will come and go and these buildings 10-20 years from now might have a hard time keeping the needed occupancy rate. So many things can affect that, i.e., young couples/families actually may not mind living in urban apartments, however; If a large number of complexes are terrible with noise pollution, they may opt to move to a stand alone house in the suburbs. And many other societal trends, etc. I think we are cutting corners on many new buildings right now that may create low occupancy areas later on. All the growth and development of today will be for nothing. It's the mentality of, "I don't care about this neighborhood or what it will be like in 10 years+, I can make my money now and move on, who cares". How do we make the large capital investment world care and stay interested long-term (10+ years).

Anechoic 11y ago
In the case of sound insulation, the solution would be to mandate sound insulation (STC) and ceiling/floor insulation (IIC) testing as a condition of obtaining the occupancy permit. Such testing is performed on HUD-financed housing and for housing where state and/or Federal authorities are kicking in funds to mitigate noise from a capital project (typically an airport, highway or rail project). For private developments, it's typically not done unless the developer thinks the architect or contractor screwed up and wants to cover his ass in the event of a lawsuit down the line.
lmm 11y ago
Individuals care about the future market worth of their home quite a lot (more than is healthy, IMO). If you can tell them a particular apartment will be unsellable in 10 or 20 years, they'll listen, and may well buy a different one. My theory is that there are enough people who don't care that much about noise that they'll sell fine in 10+ years too.

amalag 11y ago

Overall people are not so smart and builders take advantage of it. They can advertise "Granite countertops" but not "concrete construction"

gozur88 11y ago

The problem is most people don't know enough about construction that they can tell whether a place is going to be noisy or not. Once they're in it's too much of a hassle to move just because you can hear your neighbors fighting at 2:00 am.