CityRealty Insider > Keep It Down: Sound-Proofing Your Space

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.

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