soundproofing advice

Keeping a structure insulated is all about adding mass to walls and ceilings. At least 2 layers of breeze block should be used with a cavity in between.

Nov

2015

Airport Noise Complaints Down Near Manchester

Noise complaints have gone down significantly near Manchester airport, even if some residents have gone to extremes in their battle for some peace and quiet. The drop in complaints could be down to a range of measures taken to reduce noise in home around the airport including insulation grants.

The number of noise complaints from people living near Manchester airport fell from 1,509 in 2013/14 to 860 complaints in 2014/15. Apart from making planes quieter as they reach the runway (no easy task) the only other way to stop noise disturbing people living near an airport is sound insulation.

£371,540 was sent out in grants to 108 householders in 2013/14 which may have gone some way to reducing the impact of noise and complaints. However this didn’t appear enough to stop one disgruntled Manchester resident who complained 729 times in a year according to the Manchester Evening News.

This meant that the individual took it upon himself to complain twice a day for 12 months. Is complaints would no doubt have been heard even if it isn’t clear whether he gained any special treatment as a result.

If you happen to live on a noisy flightpath, why not ask about the availability of grants to fund the cost of sound insulation? It may be the quickest way to living a quiet life.

Aug

2015

Is Low Noise Tolerance Bringing An End To Nightclubs?

Smoking bans and cash-strapped youngsters are all factors being blamed for the slow death of the nightclubs we know them but could it be as much to do with a lower tolerance for noise pollution?

The Guardian recently put together an article on the decline of nightclubs following news that more than half of all nightclubs in the UK have closed in the past 10 years.

The article looks at a variety of factors including the smoking ban which has significantly reduced the number of people going out to pubs as well as nightclubs and a simple lack of cash among the demographic most likely to be populating nightclubs.

However noise pollution cannot be discounted as a major reason for the decline. As one nightclub owner commented, a single noise complaint can lead to a licence being put in jeopardy. So when more people are living in city and town centre apartments than before the possibility of complaints can only increase.

Efforts to limit noise pollution include only allowing clubs to open until midnight so as not to disturb local residents and moments of calm where DJs stop playing music. All of these measures of course are extremely restrictive to nightclubs that were once open until the early hours of the following day.

Feb

2014

Maxiboard

Maxiboard is the perfect material for soundproofing your walls and ceilings. It is great for spaces where loss of room space is not an option. It can be applied to most lightweight brickwork or double skinned brick walls. It can also be used to form an independent structure, and is moisture resistant and extremely durable. Maxiboard is only 17mm thick offering maximum performance for minimum thickness.

Metropolitan Insulation Blog