Why do British houses have poor sound insulation?

Attention all homeowners! Are you tired of dealing with poor sound insulation in your home?

Did you know excessive noise can be threatening to health? At least one in five people in the EU are exposed to long-term noise levels considered harmful to their health according to the European Environment agency

It’s estimated Around 12,000 Premature deaths have occurred due to excessive noise issues across the EU according to the European environment agency The impact can be sometimes worst such as extreme when it causes deaths.

Extra noise can cause people to stress, lack of privacy and not a comfortable home. It can be worse for people living in building blocks, where they can hear noises coming from upstairs or on the sides. “Why do British houses have poor sound insulation“? Let’s Explore the reason behind the problem and find ways to improve our living space.

Why do British houses have poor sound insulation?

There could be several reasons why UK houses have poor sound insulation.

Many houses in the UK were built before modern sound insulation standards were established. These older houses often have solid walls made of bricks or stone which are prone to more sound transmission and may not provide effective sound insulation. When these houses were built, making them soundproof was not a priority.

Some houses in the UK especially older ones or those converted into multiple flats, may have thinner walls.

Thinner walls are more prone to sound transmission and may not provide effective sound insulation. This can lead to the sound travelling from one house to another.

The other possible reason is terrace housing. The prevalence of terrace housing in the UK where houses are joined together in a row, can contribute to sound transmission.

Shared walls between neighbouring houses can allow noise to easily pass between them.

The choice of construction material used can also affect sound insulation. Houses built with lightweight materials, such as timber frames can also offer less sound insulation.

Homeowners or building owners who live in historic or listed buildings also have single-glazed windows. They don’t have planning permission to upgrade their windows.

Because of this, they are stuck living with a lot of noise from outside. Secondary Glazing could prove to be a perfect solution for all homeowners, who are looking for ways to improve the sound insulation of their homes.

A lack of clarity around building regulation

Excessive noise issues between flats or houses can be a major problem when they are not soundproof.

This allows the sound to travel easily between the houses or the flats.

Until recent years, building regulations in the UK did not prioritize sound insulation as strictly as they did other aspects such as fire safety and energy efficiency.

While there have been improvements in recent regulations, older properties may not meet the same sound insulation standards as the newer ones.

What’s more, a lack of clarity around building regulation can be a big issue. Building Regulation Document E sets minimum sound reduction and transmission regulations for homes in England and Wales.

While this ensures that new houses are built to meet the minimum regulation, it still does not solve the problem of sound insulation problem for thousands of houses that were previously built.

Secondary Glazing Can Help

You must be wondering then if there is any way to soundproof your home. Any way to stop the noise in your house?

UK construction has more than ever to take responsibility for sound insulation. With more people working from home, than ever, 80% of people are now exposed to loud noise.

Secondary Glazing has gained popularity in recent years, thanks to its acoustic performance and thermal insulation and many other benefits it offers. Secondary glazing can reduce home noise by up to 80%.

You also don’t need to change your existing windows. It’s also great for listed and heritage buildings, where it can be hard to change them and planning permission is required.

Secondary Glazing can also prove to be a cost-effective way compared to other sound insulation options such as wall insulation or floor insulation.

Conclusion

For people who are struggling with excessive noise secondary glazing could be a great solution. This can offer great benefits and provide you with the peace of mind you need.

Why not call us today on 01909 499899 or fill out a form online our experts will be in touch ASAP.