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Author Topic: Terrible noise insulation from walls made from plasterboard  (Read 2652 times)

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noise-control101

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Terrible noise insulation from walls made from plasterboard
« on: March 31, 2025, 12:56:56 am »
I am new to the forum.
I would like to get some advice from those who experience a lack of noise insulation in flats that are coming from walls made out of plasterboard and not brick built.
I have contacted the home builder, and sent a video of clip of how the walls are not insulated properly.
It is so bad that you can easily hear and be affected by someone closing their car or van doors, and even more so when someone is closing their flat door gently. This has a thumping sound effect and it feels like driving over a deep pothole at over 50 mph. This is really damaging to anyone's health.

Please see attachment of a short video clip of myself lightly tapping the wall. Imagine if someone had closed their flat door strongly the whole room would shake and cause a bad lasting effect.

The home builder doesn't want to visit my property and they have denied about the lack of wall insulation, where I requested for them to use a stronger material to not absorb noise anymore. The warranty limit shouldn't be their excuse.
I would like to get some possible solutions. It's like you have to wear a crash helmet when living in this type of property.
Thanks!


New Home Expert

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Re: Terrible noise insulation from walls made from plasterboard
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2025, 08:43:26 am »
First of all name the housebuilder!  (I shouldn't have to ask!)

It does appear that your block of flats is built in timber frame.
I would be more and very concerned about the risk of a fire spreading between flats!

It could be that your external timber frame has areas of missing (thermal) insulation.
It does seem strange you do not mention noise from neighbouring flats which is more likely.

Finally, I very much doubt that an NHBC claim would be under the threshold (excess) for works to resolve this would likely be several thousand pounds.

My advice would be to sell and move to a non timber frame building!



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noise-control101

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Re: Terrible noise insulation from walls made from plasterboard
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2025, 05:35:28 pm »
It don't matter about the home builder's name. There are a few good companies and a number of bad companies out there!

The timber frame material makes sense, but it's plasterboard that it has been covered with and no insulation which is why the walls are sounding hollow, something the home builder denied. Fire safety has not been an issue and that is the first I heard because of timber frame. The noise is the main problem with echos happening whenever doors are closed but inside the building and outside the building, from  mainly car/van doors.

Many of my neighbours are decent and respectful. It's not the neighbours so much, it's down to the material used in the building. Sadly I am outside of the NHBC warranty. The property is unsellable because of this problem.
Any other suggestions on the legal side please share.

New Home Expert

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Re: Terrible noise insulation from walls made from plasterboard
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2025, 08:48:20 am »
Timber Frame Fires!  http//:www.brand-newhomes.co.uk/timber-frame-new-home-fire.htm

The reason to name the house builder is as a warning to others so they can be fully informed and not end up like you in a defective new home.

Oh, and you're welcome!
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noise-control101

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Re: Terrible noise insulation from walls made from plasterboard
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2025, 10:34:40 am »
I can't get into the link.
I agree if it's timber frame used, but without any full sound insulation.
Don't need to worry about the home builders name.
You're welcome too!

Vincenzo18

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Re: Terrible noise insulation from walls made from plasterboard
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2025, 01:17:32 pm »
I am new to the forum.
I would like to get some advice from those who experience a lack of noise insulation in flats that are coming from walls made out of plasterboard and not brick built.
I have contacted the home builder, and sent a video of clip of how the walls are not insulated properly.
It is so bad that you can easily hear and be affected by someone closing their car or van doors, and even more so when someone is closing their flat door gently. This has a thumping sound effect and it feels like driving over a deep pothole at over 50 mph. This is really damaging to anyone's health.

Please see attachment of a short video clip of myself lightly tapping the wall. Imagine if someone had closed their flat door strongly the whole room would shake and cause a bad lasting effect.

The home builder doesn't want to visit my property and they have denied about the lack of wall insulation, where I requested for them to use a stronger material to not absorb noise anymore. The warranty limit shouldn't be their excuse.
I would like to get some possible solutions. It's like you have to wear a crash helmet when living in this type of property.
Thanks!
What you’re describing is classic structure borne drum from a lightweight timberframe/dot anddab wall, not just missing insulation. Pop a socket and borescope a bay to confirm mineral wool and look for unsealed penetrations/back boxes, there’s usually no resilient bar and the cavity is coupling to the frame, which is why door slams outside feel like a pothole. The fix that actually works is an independent lining:
A free-standing 70–90 mm metal stud set 10–20 mm off the wall, 50–60 kg/m3 mineral wool in the new frame, two layers of 15 mm acoustic board with a damping layer between, Green Glue type, all perimeters sealed and putty pads on boxes, mass alone won’t kill the 80–120 Hz thump
Get an ANC/IOA airborne/impact test against Approved Doc E
A fail gives leverage with the builder, a pass points to flanking so you target that lining on the worst elevations. Cheap proof-of-concept: temporarily batten one bay and add 18 mm ply + MLV
If the thump drops, the full independent wall will solve it
Hopefully this helps as much as it helped me once

noise-control101

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Re: Terrible noise insulation from walls made from plasterboard
« Reply #6 on: August 28, 2025, 01:29:47 pm »
Thanks it sounds like you know about the building trade really well. The wall isn't insulated, but you have shared some important details. Please advise how I go about getting this arranged and what you think it may cost. Would this be the full responsibility of the home builder?


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Re: Terrible noise insulation from walls made from plasterboard
« Reply #7 on: September 12, 2025, 06:21:59 am »
First of all Vincenzo18 was a link spammer and has been banned from this forum.
You will have lots hassle trying to get the builder to do remedial work outside the 2-year NHBC warranty responsibility.
As for likely cost, how long is a piece of string? No one would be able to give you a cost without visiting your property. 
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