New infill attached homes... sound issues?

[yellowsnow]

Thinking of buying a new attached infill, but am concerned with noise from the neighbour. The builder says there are 2 sets of 2x6 drywall inbetween with roxul sound insulation. He says they did some sound tests with alarm systems, and they couldn't hear anything from the other side.

Anyone who lives in an attached home have any feedback on sound from your neighbour? And what kind of noises can you hear if any? What kind of questions should I ask regarding the sound barrier?

[speedog]

In a duplex, I think it'll depend on how loud your neighbour is (loud sound system or whatever).

[ExtraSlow]

I live in an attached infill home. Mine is separated by a concrete wall, then the framing/drywall on each side. For us, sounds like TV and radio are nonexistent. What you can hear is things like chairs being pushed back, boors slamming etc.
it's been no issue for us at all.

My biggest gripe about that style of house isn't sound, it's airflow. Because the house is long and skinny, and you have zero windows on one of the long walls, you actually have much less airflow than in a "conventional" house. For us, that drove us to purchase AC pretty fast, the house just would not cool off in the evenings.

[killramos]

I also have an attached infill. Aparently my neighbor plays piano all day long and I have never heard a peep

I also have a thousand watt theatre system in the basement that I use 4 hours a day and they can't hear it.

Something hear walking up the stairs oddly enough but that's it. I was pretty amazed by how quiet it is.

Way quieter than my parents detached due to modern building methods etc...

My party wall is also concrete btw.

[USED1]

Live in an attached infill and I don't hear a thing. My neighbour plays guitar and drums and don't hear it.

[yellowsnow]

I asked if the party wall was concrete, and the builder said it isn't. Is a concrete party wall an upgrade? They are a pretty reputable builder in the area.

[speedog]

I take it that duplex is not the cool description of this style of home any more but it is interesting that the CoC does not refer to them as attached infills but instead calls them duplexes.

[ExtraSlow]

Attached is also not cool. My Realtor insisted on calling it "semi-detached".

But what the fuck, it's a duplex.

[JustinMCS]

I would only buy one with a concrete party wall, without it, nope.

Why did they cheap out?!

[Sugarphreak]

...

[HuMz]

I live in a brookfield duplex built just over 3 years ago, I believe it was the same common wall as you described (definitely not concrete).

Basically the only thing I ever hear is them running up the stairs, but only if were sitting on our couch on the main level. Outside of that in 3 years I haven't heard a single thing.

[JordanLotoski]

I have sold countless infill/Duplex/attached homes over the past 10 years and not one person has called me asking to move because they are bothered by their neighbours.

[ExtraSlow]

The concrete party wall may also have an effect on your home insurance as well. I know when I getting my home insurance the agent seemed pretty interested.

[msommers]

Our family friends that build/design custom homes have done a few duplex/attached infills and they insist on having a concrete partywall, including the duplex in Killarney they presently live in.

[CanmoreOrLess]

"Duplex", became "side-by-side", became "attached".... When I first heard my in-laws in Ontario had bought a "side-by-side" I had no idea what they were going on about.

I have been in a few of these shared wall homes, regardless of the price I can still feel and hear the neighbour's door being closed even though it is not being slammed. Airflow in the summer can be an issue, getting a cross breeze is near impossible, this added to the fact builders go cheap on having all windows that actually can open. Yes you'll need AC. A shared garage is also a negative, some units have them, others have a private garage. Ever park next to a Suburban in a shared garage? Tight.

[mr2mike]

I've done a lot of research on reducing noise between levels in a house before I did my reno. But here's info on concrete tranferrence.

http://www.norliteagg.com/masonry/sound_absorption.pdf

Obviously concrete was not an option for me.


A question for the owners of these "side-by-sides" is there an account you pay into for when the roof or siding or anything exterior needs to be repaired or replaced? How does that work?

Sorry for thread jack, should be a simple answer.

[ExtraSlow]

I think in order for there to be a shared account, you would need to basically become a condo. At my place, there is no shared account, if an expense comes up, you'll just have to pay it.
But depending on the roof, you may be able to do just one side, and stucco shouldn't need a lot of repairs. Should be pretty rare that you'll need anything joint done.

[yellowsnow]

http://www.newinfills.ca/what-is-a-party-wall/

Just read this article. Says conrete party walls actually transmit sound better

Either way, as long as I don't hear that much from the neighbours, I'm feeling pretty good with buying a "semi-attached/duplex/orwhateva"

[mr2mike]

ExtraSlow: Thanks for the info. Ya you're right, I'm sure with black shingles, etc you can match pretty close and it's in both parties interest to have a seamless look for resale.


Yellowsnow: Worst case, if you do hear things and want to reduce the sound, go with green glue and another sheet of drywall over the existing drywall.

Concrete will transmit sound better than a staggered wood wall, insulated with an air gap too. Concrete doesn't absorb sound. A sub would eat through the wall. But it says an air gap must be present so you should be ok. The air gap helps reduce noises passing through.

[ExtraSlow]

In my opinion and expereince, a concrete wall will transmit low frequency sounds, but those aren't the ones that I find annoying.
I know for sure, I don't hear speech, music, television, alarm clocks or anything like that.