Stop Noise Between Apartments
Who hasn't had that apartment where you could hear everything the neighbor next door was saying or doing? Noise is an issue often ignored but can be silenced easier than expected with a simple solution. Whether you are a renter who is sick of listening to your neighbors life, or a homeowner who's kid just got a brand new drum set and is starting a band, this solution works every time.
Landlord Permission
If you are a renter, you have to get permission to perform a project from them. Most landlords, if you are forking over the bill, will let you do any improvement project that is mutually beneficial. Once you have the permission, you may call an insulation contractor.
Stopping The Noise
The insulation contractor is going to insulate the walls, ceilings, or floors with dense pack cellulose insulation in order to minimize or eliminate the sound. This is performed by drilling holes in the surface you wish to sound proof. Then a long tube is used to fill the empty cavities with insulation until that cavity is full. The holes are then plugged and one coat of drywall mud is trowled over the hole. A good insulation contractor will find the studs and drill on either side of the stud so that there are fewer patches. You will generally be responsible for bringing the surface to a finished state.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose is ground up newspaper that is treated with chemicals for fire and pest retardancy. Besides being the only 100% recycled insulation material, it is also one of the best thermal insulators and in considered the best for sound attenuation next to prefabricated sound walls.
Projects like this usually cost between $500 to $1000 depending on the surface you need to cover. This may sound expensive, but you will never hear another word from your neighbor or the rock band... and they won't hear you either.