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It's interesting that you say that. In an earlier conversation on density and walk-able neighborhoods, I seem to recall a number of people from Europe saying th

It's interesting that you say that. In an earlier conversation on density and walk-able neighborhoods, I seem to recall a number of people from Europe saying that noise wasn't as much of a problem as in dense parts of the US because of different construction traditions. (Europe is a diverse place, of course, so it might just be down to regional differences.)

jensen123 11y ago
That could be. It's especially renovations in the same building where I live that has been the problem here. I'm guessing this is a bigger problem (more renovations!) in a large building, than a small one.
- semi-extrinsic 11y ago
  Regarding renovations: whenever someone takes a rotary hammer to concrete, it will be fairly noisy no matter how good the sound proofing is. That sound will travel in the entire structure even if the building is 400 feet wide.
ams6110 11y ago
Any apartment or house old enough to have plaster walls will be much more soundproof. That stuff is dense and heavy and it's usually at least an inch thick, more than sheetrock/drywall.
rtpg 11y ago
Europe is a big place, I think the construction norms can differ too. I was in some appartments in Nantes, France, and the windows could let you hear outside (so things like buses going by in the day). In my Tokyo apartment I hear police cars go by (actually, every Sunday I get the black cars from the fascists[0]). I think there's some better sound isolation in France rather than Tokyo (at least in smaller appartments), but Japan also knows that making too much noise is pretty rude. Usually you're not allowed to play instruments in your place unless you got explicit permission when signing the contract (usually implies that the unit has better isolation). And you try not to hit the walls too often. I think it's part "don't be a dick", and part "get used to it". It's likely possible to isolate better but it's likely expensive on smaller units (because of the space required). Though honestly, even when I was in Texas suburbs, there's still noise from traffic and neighbors. It was easier to get peace and quiet though. [0]:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyoku_dantai https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyoku_dantai

jensen123 11y ago

That could be. It's especially renovations in the same building where I live that has been the problem here. I'm guessing this is a bigger problem (more renovations!) in a large building, than a small one.

semi-extrinsic 11y ago
Regarding renovations: whenever someone takes a rotary hammer to concrete, it will be fairly noisy no matter how good the sound proofing is. That sound will travel in the entire structure even if the building is 400 feet wide.

ams6110 11y ago

Any apartment or house old enough to have plaster walls will be much more soundproof. That stuff is dense and heavy and it's usually at least an inch thick, more than sheetrock/drywall.

rtpg 11y ago

Europe is a big place, I think the construction norms can differ too. I was in some appartments in Nantes, France, and the windows could let you hear outside (so things like buses going by in the day). In my Tokyo apartment I hear police cars go by (actually, every Sunday I get the black cars from the fascists[0]). I think there's some better sound isolation in France rather than Tokyo (at least in smaller appartments), but Japan also knows that making too much noise is pretty rude. Usually you're not allowed to play instruments in your place unless you got explicit permission when signing the contract (usually implies that the unit has better isolation). And you try not to hit the walls too often. I think it's part "don't be a dick", and part "get used to it". It's likely possible to isolate better but it's likely expensive on smaller units (because of the space required). Though honestly, even when I was in Texas suburbs, there's still noise from traffic and neighbors. It was easier to get peace and quiet though. [0]:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyoku_dantai https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyoku_dantai