Thread: Thin wall between neighbor's living room and my bedroom

Need advice on dealing with a thin wall between my neighbor's living room and my bedroom. He leaves the TV on all day because he claims he is hard of hearing, but it sensitive enough to hear when my radio is on and raises his volume more.

I can hear his TV at all hours and usually turns the volume down at midnight, but I can still hear mumbling from his TV.

The issue is the thin wall and I am open to suggestions. After some Google searching they say that a thick rug or curtain on the wall won't do anything and the only way is to open the wall and install sound insulation or put up new dry wall over the original wall.

Has anyone had luck with thick curtains or putting up a rug over the wall? Or something else that doesn't require tearing walls down?

Open to any other suggestions as I don't like having the TV or radio on in my bedroom.

we got double 5/8 th sheet rock here between the apartments, cant say ive heard much, your side would be easy to get done, his side is another story.

Earplugs at bedtime.

Originally Posted by LEVELX

Earplugs at bedtime.

Considering that, the fear is sleeping through my alarm in the morning.

Maybe try a white noise machine(sounds like static), or other noise maker (babbling brook, waves, wind, rain), or a small fan ? I have tinnitus, and all these work for me, so I can sleep without hearing "ying ying ying" all night long...

https://youtu.be/3hq5ScfEUw8

^^^^ I became slightly concerned when he said "Let's see who lasts longer".....lol

You need to add insulation. If they won't let you open the wall, you can add some to the exterior on your side...foam board, etc. You could also get some sound deading for automotive use and stick it on your side. There's also fiberglass batting that you could attach to the wall, then find a way to cover it up.

Like you said, the best way is to open the wall, but I doubt the landlord will let you do that. Duplex apartments are built cheap. Sadly this is really common.

First off, are you in a rental or own where you live? If you rent, then that sucks as you'll not invest much and as such will not be able to defeat the noise with much success absent spending some cash...

Dont use Sheetrock, they actually make SOUND BOARD! If you want to do it right, the wall needs air space and the new wall in front cannot be attached to the wall or as little as possible. Otherwise, studs can be attached with a rubber base or pads where screwed or anchored, with a layer of sound board and then sheet rock. Sound deadening insulation can be used in between, but the dead air space would probably perform better. You can expect to lose 3"-4" inches if you want to build a sound deadening wall properly. You could also get some spray foam insulation to fill the existing wall cavity but it's not cheap either...

good luck! Lol...

Originally Posted by coolone

First off, are you in a rental or own where you live? If you rent, then that sucks as you'll not invest much and as such will not be able to defeat the noise with much success absent spending some cash...

Dont use Sheetrock, they actually make SOUND BOARD! If you want to do it right, the wall needs air space and the new wall in front cannot be attached to the wall or as little as possible. Otherwise, studs can be attached with a rubber base or pads where screwed or anchored, with a layer of sound board and then sheet rock. Sound deadening insulation can be used in between, but the dead air space would probably perform better. You can expect to lose 3"-4" inches if you want to build a sound deadening wall properly. You could also get some spray foam insulation to fill the existing wall cavity but it's not cheap either...

good luck! Lol...

Thanks for the advice! I live in a co-op, but I sublet from the owner who lives in Virginia. I tried ear plugs, but find them annoying. I think I am going to go with building the wall. I did a little research and found something similar to what, "COOLONE" mentioned. I will do some more research and will post questions here about it. Thanks for all the advice so far, but I think that I have decided. I WILL BUILD THAT WALL!

i say we ad a dash of eminent domain to the wall, and take 6 inches from his side lol

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

i say we ad a dash of eminent domain to the wall, and take 6 inches from his side lol

Thanks Scotty ! I miss the "Like" button. :P

Originally Posted by Asshole

I would just start playing gay porn really loud at all hours

Actually, whenever i randomly run into the guy he makes comments about hearing the girls I've had over. After mimicking their moans he makes bad jokes, about why I don't share with him. Creepy as ****!

He also just came back from South East Asia. Before he left on his trip his TV was never as loud as it is now. I guess those Ladyboys he paid to bang made him go deaf.

Many years ago I was living in a basement suite, and the putz upstairs had a big sound system that he always had cranked. One day it got so bad, I turned on my crappy stereo, pointed the speakers to the ceiling, cranked it up to the distortion level, and went out. I came back 3 hours later, turned off my stereo, and it was quiet. Buddy got the point and kept his stereo levels down.

People just have real high opinions of themselves. My neighs on one side bump bass constantly and I'm surrounded by inconsiderate bark all night dog owners. Once it got so bad I tacked up big layers of cardboard on the wall and over the window. Helped me get my rest. But probably the most effective thing I have done is to scream my unfiltered profane thoughts at the top of my lungs from inside my home. They eventually hear it and maybe get a little scared I guess. Trouble is, every time theres a new renter at any of the nearby houses I go through the same thing anew. Sometimes you have to confront people directly in person and make your point in a grumpy way using unmistakable terms.