Types and countermeasures of living noise

Last Updated April 11, 2024

　Sound is different from person to person. For some people, "comfortable music" can be noisy to neighbors.

　Also, unexpected noise may be generated from equipment placed outside the house.

　Paying attention to the sounds of daily life, such as household equipment and audio equipment, and not forgetting to consider the neighborhood will also reduce troubles caused by living noise.

Footsteps, etc.

Illustrations of children running around

Let's take care of people downstairs.
Watch out for the sound of running around and jumping.
The use of mats and slippers is also effective.

Flooring (board floor)

　It is popular for the atmosphere of wood grain and the prevention of ticks, but it can cause noise problems depending on the material and usage.
When renovating, it is necessary to pay close attention to the selection of contractors, product manufacturers, construction methods, etc.
　In the event of a complaint from the lower floor, it is effective to lay a carpet partially or put rubber or felt on the feet of a table or chair.

Sound insulation on the floor

　The Architectural Institute of Japan makes a table that expresses the sound insulation grade of the floor in an easy-to-understand manner in terms of real life. Choose a flooring of a sound insulation grade that matches your real life.

Sound insulation grade of floor
Sound insulation grade (JIS A1419)	L-35	L-40	L-45	L-50	L-55	L-60
Applicable grade (apartment)	Special class	Special class	Class 1	Level 2	Level 2	Grade 3
A person's footsteps, jumps, etc.	I can hardly hear	It sounds faint	I can hear but I don't care	It sounds small	I can hear you	I am quite worried about the sound generated
The sound of moving the chair, the sound of falling objects, etc.	I can't hear it normally	I can hardly hear	It sounds small	I can hear you	I am worried about the sound generated	I am quite worried about the sound generated
Ensuring a sense of life and privacy	You may feel the sign of the upper floor.	I feel a sign, but I don't care.	To the extent that the living conditions on the upper floor are somewhat conscious It sounds faint when you drop the spoon	The living conditions on the upper floor are conscious of I can hear the sound of pulling a chair	I understand the living behavior on the upper floor to some extent The sound of pulling a chair sounds noisy	I understand the living behavior on the upper floor

Vacuumers, washing machines, high-pressure washing machines, mowers and hand-held blowers (for cleaning fallen leaves), etc.

Illustration of a man with a vacuum cleaner

Let's pay attention to the usage time.
Pay close attention to the place where the washing machine is placed.
It is also effective to choose a low noise type.
For washing machines, etc., it is also effective to take measures such as a sound insulation mat on the floor.

Air conditioners, boilers, household cogeneration systems, heat pumps, etc.

Illustrations of outdoor units that emit abnormal noise

Let's take care of the place.
Let's perform maintenance as appropriate to see if there is no abnormal noise.
The use of soundproofing and vibration-proof goods is also effective.
It is also effective to make soundproof walls.

Audio equipment such as televisions and audio equipment

Illustration of a woman watching TV

Let's not leak the sound into the neighborhood.
The use of headphones and earphones is also effective.
In the case of apartment, it is also effective to prevent the speaker from sticking to walls.

Instruments

Illustration of a man playing an electronic piano

Consider the usage time and volume, and take soundproofing measures.
Use of thick curtains, carpets, etc. has a sound absorption effect.
There is also a way to make a capsule-type soundproof room or one room soundproof.
When using the piano, it is also effective to use a weak sound pedal or attach a board or piano sound insulation board to the back.