Definition : Noise - Impacts noise (structure-borne noise)

You have just bought your new condo and for some time now, you have been hearing noise that prevents you from peacefully enjoying your unit, or even prevents you from sleeping completely. You question your neighbors and they face the same problem. But noise can stress, exasperate, tire, and even make you sick. What can be done to remedy this problem and regain tranquility? Here is the procedure to follow that we suggest in order to manage the situation.

11 septembre 2015 — Bien qu’il y ait certains points communs entre les facteurs permettant d’atténuer les bruits aériens et ceux permettant d’atténuer les bruits d’impact, ces derniers sont bien plus complexes à mesurer, classifier et atténuer. Étant donné que les bruits d’impact génèrent beaucoup plus d’énergie que les bruits aériens, ils se propagent plus facilement et rapidement dans la structure du bâtiment.    

29 juin 2015 - Cette chronique est la première de trois qui traite du même sujet. L’acoustique présente des défis à quiconque recherche un niveau de performance en cette matière. Qu’il soit question d’une construction neuve ou d’un projet de rénovation, il importe de se poser les bonnes questions, au bon moment.

Many co-owners carry out work to renovate their apartments, after moving in, to make them more in tune with their tastes and personalities. Redecorating the premises and integrating new equipment,such as in the kitchen or the bathroom, is a legitimate endeavor. To know the rules to be respected, it is better to refer to the declaration of co-ownership. This is how you will have to check, before a project can begin, whether the work in question is subject to prior authorization. Some work can be carried out without prior authorization, while other work requires the approval of the board of directors or of the meeting of co-owners.

Acoustic comfort is an important element for the quality of life of the occupants of an apartment building. However, it is recognized that noise is one of the most common nuisances in co-ownership. Many disputes between co-owners arise from the noise generated by each other. This bone of contention generates several disputes. To be honest, the proper sound insulation of apartments is one of the main components to watch out for while shopping for a condo. It should be remembered, however, that "acoustic comfort" is not synonymous with sound transmission index (ITS). This index measures the soundproofing capacity (e.g. of a wall), i.e. the average transmission loss of airborne noise through an assembly, expressed in decibels (db). The higher the ITS index, the better the sound insulation.

An apartment held in divided co-ownership caught your attention. You seriously consider buying it, but before making a commitment, you would like more information about the neighborhood. To obtain additional information to that supplied by the co-owner seller, it will often be necessary to conduct your own survey. This is important on account of the possibility of abnormal neighborhood annoyances caused by noise, odors and smoke, the main cause of co-owners’ conflicts.  

  I am constantly disturbed by noise in my condo, because its soundproofing is deficient. The co-owners living upstairs aggravate me, because of constant barking and loud music. My next door neighbour has the same problem with her neighbors above, who have recently installed hardwood floors! Question: What are our recourses to remedy this problem?