One morning you sit down to study, read, or spend some relaxing time in yourown home when all of a sudden loud music disturbs you. Neighbors playingloud music during the day can be an incredibly disturbing event,particularly when you can't escape the noise and are not sure where to turnto for help. In this blog, we will review the most common situations so youcan quickly create an action plan for getting the noise turned down.
I want law enforcement to stop the loud noise
Each city has a noise ordinance that sets specific rules for when loudnoises may be played and what is considered an acceptable range of loudness(dB). If a violation is reported, police may come to the scene, or a noiseofficer may come out with a decibel reader to confirm if the sound isoutside acceptable limits. See Los Angeles Noise Ordinance as a reference.
Generally, these rules are not going to help you during the day unless thesound is incredibly excessive (as in hearing damage level). From around 7am– 10pm, your neighbor will not be in violation if the noise is below 60 dB –the equivalent of a vacuum cleaner. But the decibel reading will be fromyour property line. A great check is to try turning on a vacuum cleaner tosee if it drowns out the noise. If you can still hear the music, you shouldfile a noise complaint.
Check your local noise ordinance by typing “[city name] noise ordinance”into search to get the times and decibel ratings. They will also providespecific instructions on how to file the complaint.
If you already filed a complaint and it is not working, you can eithersoundproof your own home and/or consider small claims court, where a lawyeris not required. You can either sue your neighbor for the cost ofsoundproofing your home, or general damages.
You will need to prove:
- Evidence of excessive and disturbing noise.
- The person you are suing is the one creating the noise.
- Your daily life in your home is impacted.
- You have taken action in communicating with your neighbor or the noiseordinance board and they have ignored your requests.
Evidence you should consider collecting:
- Police or noise ordinance reports.
- Video and/or audio recording.
- Text messages, emails, or written letters with your neighbor.
Small claims courts have judgments between $2,500 and $7,500. A request of$20/day for your suffering is reasonable, but if the noise is bad enough itimpacts your work and daily life, requesting the cost of soundproofingmaterials may be required.
I want my landlord to stop the loud noise
If you are renting, you have the right to a quiet space and can ask yourlandlord to investigate with the city or speak directly to the neighbor. Thesource of the noise does not have to be in the same apartment building foryour landlord to step in. If your neighbor also rents, they may be inviolation of their rental agreement and can be evicted if the noise does notstop.
Adding another person to the mix can elongate the time that you areexperiencing the noise. Make sure to read our sections on communicating withyour neighbor directly or contacting law enforcement before proceeding.
I want my neighbor to understand my pain & stop playing music / making noise
It's hard to imagine, but your neighbor has their own emotional needs forplaying this loud music. We don't know what is going on in their lives. Theymight be trying to make a living as a musician or creating art for selfexpression. Having a frame of mind of understanding instead of only angerwill give you a higher chance of amenable conversation instead of a heatedargument.
Here are some tips for starting a conversation:
- Take a deep breath before saying anything and calm yourself down. Remainpolite and respectful, but be firm in what you need.
- Start with explaining how the music is impacting you (ex. I work at homeand can't concentrate) and ask if they could turn it down.
- If you do not have their phone number, try to get it so you can textthem for both of your convenience in the future.
- Be clear in how you will escalate the matter if it does not seem likethey are taking you seriously (ex. call their landlord or file a policereport).
- Write down the date, time, and details of your conversation in case thiscontinues in the future and you need it for reference.
Starting with a conversation directly to the source is always the easiestand quickest way for you to get relief. You may have to try this a few timesfor it to properly work. Are there compromises you can offer on hours thatyou really don't want the noise and other hours where they might be able toplay their music?
Consider talking to your other neighbors to see if it is also an issue withthem and if you can work together to communicate that change is needed forthe neighborhood. If this does not work, contact law enforcement orsoundproof your space from the noise.
I'm taking this into my own hands (or) the city and my neighbor aren'tlistening to me. I need to soundproof my space!
It is possible to create a quiet zone without changing the behaviors ofexternal things that you simply can't control. This will help you attain amore comfortable space to reduce your stress and get better sleep,contributing to a healthier life.
First, decide if you need soundproofing or sound absorbing treatments. Noisetravels through vibration, which is carried through the air. So to stopnoise, you must control the airflow. Noise generated outside, like neighborsplaying loud music, calls for soundproofing products. They stop noise from traveling through windows, ceilings, doors, andwalls. Here are some examples:
Soundproof Window Inserts
Installing window inserts is an easy and effective way of soundproofingwindows. Indow® Acoustic Grade window inserts can reduce up to 70% ofoutside noise when placed over single-pane windows and up to 50% of noisecoming through double-pane windows. In an office or home, soundproofingwindows is easy with our inserts that press into your existing windowframe—no hassle, nails, or adhesives required. Check out this video of acustomer who is a drummer and was dealing with complaints from the neighborsfor playing loud music during the day. After installing Indow inserts, hisneighbors were satisfied with the noise levels.
Acoustic Caulk
Look through your space and find areas where you see gaps between thingslike your door frame and the wall. While it seems like a small area thatmight be insignificant, sealing up all gaps will help reduce the noise.Consider it like a mission to find a leak in the bathtub. The leak stillhappens with even a pinprick. Standard caulks will work, but Green Glue sealant has a specialty formula for acoustic damping.
Noise generated inside your home requires sound absorption products, whichreduce echo. If you are in an apartment building with noise coming throughthe walls, this will help control the sound.
Acoustic panels
When sound enters a room, it can bounce off various surfaces and continueamplifying in your space. Plush rugs with sound dampening rug pads, wallhangings, upholstered furniture and plants will help absorb sound. If youwant to get really advanced, consider placing acoustic panels on the wallwhere sound is being transmitted and/or the wall opposite to the incomingnoise.
While you may be fantasizing about pranks you can play on your neighbor aspayback for the stress you are receiving, we applaud you on your efforts tofind a more peaceful solution. It may be difficult, but finding compromiseto create a healthy space for you both, and a peaceful neighborhood for all,will give you the biggest win in the long run.
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Customer Reviews
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4.49 Average 1494 Reviews
Paula S
From start to finish, we were very pleased with our rep, Reed, and the other staff at the PDX will call! The inserts themselves are stupendous! We purchased six total for the noisiest, road side(s) of our home. The outcome was beyond our expectations! Not only did the three rooms that bordered the road become at least 70% quieter, the other end of our home did as well! I cannot recommend Indow inserts more! The technology makes sense to add the inserts rather than purchasing new windows. Great results and thank you!Paul and Paula Spilsbury
Posted 2 days ago
JD
Brian was very helpful & informative. He helped me order the correct windows for my needs. They were shipped with the utmost of care & arrived ahead of schedule. Ultimately, the Indow Windows have been very helpful in muffling unwanted noises & they have helped save on our energy costs. Thank you, Indow Window!
Posted 2 weeks ago
Cynthia M
Very happy with the reduction in noise. Easy to install and use. Great customer service.
Posted 1 month ago
Juli E
We are thrilled with our Indow window inserts! I'd been on the lookout for a more permanent solution to leaky windows in our third floor living space. I discovered Indow on social media but since then have learned of friends who'd had Indow recommended to them by their rennovation contractor. The entire process went smoothly with friendly reps at hand to talk through questions during measuring, etc. They fit perfectly and help us to maintain the beautiful design of the windows on our 100 year old home! Highly recommend!!
Posted 2 months ago
Elizabeth H
For townhouse living, this solved my problem with noise from my neighbor's with my kitchen window. A considerable decrease of noise indeed! Measurements were a bit frustrating so I recommend using a laser measurement device and following directions to use a string for the diagonal. They look great and were easy to push into place. I highly recommend as an alternative to buying a new window.
Posted 3 months ago
Anonymous
Easy to install, and instantly stopped drafts and dampened outside noises very effectively!
Posted 3 months ago
Robert C
The process could've been smoother with the sending of the measuring kit. There was a delay with weather in Oregon but then it felt like my kit was still delayed due to other reasons. Most new homes (like mine) have textured paint and it can also be inside your window frames. I measured everything out but I still have little tiny gaps due to the texturing. Not indows problem but just be aware you made need to sand or fill in those gaps yourself to get a perfect seal. I did the acoustic grade inserts and they have reduced some noise but they will not completely block or significantly reduce road noise. This is most apparent with deep or lower frequencies like truck exhausts or modified street racing cars that are quite popular these days.Taking the inserts out to open your windows isn't an easy task. The little metal hook they provide needs to be either bigger or you can attach something to it as a way to leverage yourself. Overall the process was average. I think they're definitely a good option for weatherproofing and some sound reduction depending on the type of windows you have. I would purchase again.
Posted 3 months ago
Shelley C
The process for ordering and installing the Indow Widnow inserts was so easy. They sent the measuring information and it had great instructions. The inserts were delivered by UPS was crushed on one corner, but the company had packed them well, so there was no damage. We installed them the same day. It works best if you have two people completing the installation. We felt the results immediately and are glad we spent the money to make our home just a little more efficient.
Posted 3 months ago
Barry B
The insert fits like a glove and insulates the window! No more frost and condensation on the interior of the window! Thank you for an easy, effective and attractive fix!
Posted 3 months ago
Susan A
The support during the entire process was wonderful, thank you so much for the extra quiet space!
Posted 3 months ago
Volodymyr R
Very good good quality. Overall very satisfied with this product and service. Thanks
Posted 4 months ago
Jane H
Our home was built in 1913 and has beautiful old wavy glass single-paned windows. I’m so glad we were told about Indows and didn’t have to replace the original windows. We live in Canada but had no difficulty placing the order and were very impressed by how accurately the company met its deadlines, including cross border delivery. The Indows inserts blend in perfectly with our home and the existing window frames. You don’t see them unless you’re actually looking for them. But what we did notice was how much warmer the rooms feel the minute the inserts were installed! I can’t speak to any heating bill savings because they just went in this week, but our home feels much, much cozier. Our contractor who took all the measurements and installed the Indows says: “Excellent instructional videos: clear and informative. Very impressed with the design and the product. Overall, the ease of installation is quite impressive. Working with all the staff at the company was great – everyone was very helpful.” I’m already recommending this company to any of my friends who live in drafty older homes and want to reduce their heating/cooling bills and do some good for the environment.
Posted 4 months ago
Anonymous
Don't be afraid of buying an older home with single pane windows. This company has you covered. Their inserts are super high quality and fit well thanks to the laser measuring kit they send. Highly recommended!
Posted 4 months ago
Katie M
We purchased three Indows to reduce drafts and noise in our bedroom, which faces the street. The improvement was immediate. Our house was built in 1958 and although we have exterior storm windows we didn't want to replace the windows outright due to cost and architectural consistency. These were an excellent solution.
Posted 4 months ago
