“The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.” -Gilbert K Chesterton
If you do not live in a very populated area, even then, you and your neighbor will be living a few feet apart.
Due to the rapid increase in world population, finding an isolated and peaceful place to live is very hard.
Cities and towns have become densely populated.
You cannot choose your neighbors yourself.
Moreover, you never knows who is going to shift in your neighborhood.
You may try to build your house in an area with less population.
But you cannot tell how populated it will get in a few years.
Noise pollution is a major concern these days.
It affects your physical and mental health.
People look for places to live where they can have peace of mind.
Traffic, industries, construction sites, animals, air traffic, and social events are the main cause of noise production these days.
At the top of it all, if you, unfortunately, get a noisy neighbor, your life can become very miserable.
For example, you may get neighbors who may be very fond of doing all the noisy housework.
You will hear chainsawing, hammering, and drilling every other day.
Or you find neighbors beside you who are always yelling and loud.
All this noise can be disastrous for your mental peace.
You will be unable to concentrate on anything, and neither will you be able to get a peaceful sleep time.
In this article, we will discuss some of the ways through which we can block noise from our neighbour’s yard.
Go and talk to your neighbors
Before thinking of any other trick to block noise from a neighbor’s yard, the very first thing you should try doing is going and talking to them.
This can be the easiest solution if your neighbors are kind enough to listen to your concerns.
Not all neighbors are rude and inconsiderate.
They may understand your point and become careful the next time.
They may realize that their noise is bothering them.
But simultaneously, talking about your concern can become the most challenging thing if your neighbors do not understand your point.
They may get offended and make your life even more miserable.
But you should avoid getting into a fight.
Calling the police is always a better option than resolving such matters yourself.
But first, try to talk very politely even if your neighbors get offended, be polite while you convey your point.
Soundproof the windows
Now that you realize your neighbors are not considerate enough to understand your point go for the next option.
It would help if you tried soundproofing your windows.
Sometimes it’s not that your neighbors are being rude and inconsiderate.
It may be tough for them to control noise.
They may have kids who like playing in the yard.
It would be unfair if you asked them to tuck their children inside the house all day long.
Or your neighbors may be remodeling their yard.
This may be a noisy procedure; it would be folly to ask them to stop.
So it would be better to take matters into your own hands.
Moving out is not always a good solution. It would be best if you tried soundproofing your windows.
Windows are the thinnest part of the wall. Most of the noise enters your home through the windows.
Most people like opening their windows during the summer for ventilation.
That brings in lots of noise from the outside. Even if you keep the windows closed, noise cannot be shut out entirely.
Sometimes there is a tiny gap or a crevice between the windows.
You can try sealing the gap with acoustic caulk or weather-stripping tape.
This will cut down most of the noise.
Also, this isn’t a very expensive solution; you can do it yourself.
You won’t need to call an expert for this minor task.
Soundproof the walls
Most houses nowadays consist of thin walls.
These walls leak sounds.
You can even hear the outside sounds inside the house.
You will have to try and bolster the walls a bit.
There are many methods to soundproof walls.
Some are expensive, while others are budget-friendly.
It depends on which method you choose.
At the same time, it isn’t an easy task to do.
It will cost you money and time.
Some of the least expensive and less time taking ways to soundproof a wall are:
- Hang soundproof curtains
- Use wall hangings that absorb most of the noise
- Use panels made up of acoustic foam
- Use moving blankets along the walls
You may not notice some gaps or cracks inside the walls that allow noise to come inside.
Fill those gaps and cracks with acoustic caulk.
Any gap or space can be the biggest culprit to letting the noise in.
Remember, if air can pass through, noise can too.
If your pocket allows you to go for an expensive solution, then try these slightly advanced methods:
- Install materials for insulation, such as mass-loaded vinyl
- Attach resilient channels
- Put up professional-grade soundproof panels
- Put up another layer of drywall
Soundproof the doors
You may not know, but your doors may be the main source of bringing the noise inside the house.
Doors may seem tight and hard to you, but some have a hollow core.
That hollow core has air in it.
And the air is the best medium for the noise.
If your front or back door faces your noisy neighbor’s yard, it would be best to make your doors soundproof as soon as possible.
Soundproofing a door is easier than soundproofing windows and walls.
And it may cost you less.
To soundproof a door, you should:
- Plug the gaps between the doors
- Use a weather-stripping tape
- Use acoustic caulk
- Door gaskets
- Put door sweep down
- Use soundproof paint
- Hang soundproof curtains
- Use moving blankets
- Use soundproof panels and mats
- Solid-core doors should be used in place of hollow-core ones
Build a fence
Building a fence may be a good idea to block some of the noise from your neighbors.
But the question is, what type of fence?
There are several fence ideas. Some are expensive and time-taking, while others are cheaper and they may be ineffective.
• Stone and brick walls
Stone and brick walls can be one of the best ways to block noise from your neighbour’s yard.
But building such a wall may be expensive. It may also require a lot of time to be built.
• Hedge fences
Building a hedge fence may also be a good idea to block noise from the neighbours.
It also looks aesthetically pleasing.
But it has a drawback. To maintain them, you’ll have to take extra care of them.
• Wooden fence
A wooden fence is a good idea, but it may not work as a soundproof fence.
It is not as effective as the stone and bricks wall.
And also you have to be very careful because wood can easily catch fire.
Plant trees around your house
Planting trees can greatly help dampen the noise coming from your neighbor’s yard.
Trees will not only make your house look aesthetically pleasing, but they will also bring a cooler effect in the summer.
Any barrier can help control the noise that comes into your house.
Trees can be a form of that barrier too. But will have to take regular care of them.
Trees are also helpful in absorbing noise.
They make sharp sounds less sharp.
Planting more trees can also help control noise pollution overall.
White noise machine
White noise machine produces a sound similar to running water or a waterfall.
You can adjust the volume according to the noise you want to get distracted from.
When the white noise machine does its work in the background, you won’t get disturbed by the constant noise from your neighbour’s yard.
These machines come in various sizes and shapes, most portable.
They can be easily transferred from one place to another and are also lightweight.
Although they are not very expensive, or you do not want to spend on the machine, I have another solution for you.
You can play white noise on YouTube at a high volume.
Conclusion
Noise can be disturbing and unhealthy for everyone, especially if it constantly comes from your neighbourhood.
You need to find a solution to this constant noise to ensure that your mental health is safe.
Along with mental health problems, noise can also cause physical health issues.
You can expect these types of noises to come from your neighbors:
- Hammering
- Drilling
- Loud music
- Shouting
- Kids playing or crying
- Lawn mowing
- Shooting targets
- Dog barking
Some of the tips and tricks you can use to block the noise coming from your neighbor’s yard are:
- Use earmuffs or noise-canceling devices
- White noise
- Loud music
- Planting trees and shrubs fence
- Soundproof windows, walls, and doors
- Move furniture around
- Moving blankets
FAQs
1) What are some effective ways to block noise from my neighbor’s yard?
A: Some effective ways to block noise from your neighbor’s yard include building a fence or wall, planting trees or shrubs, using sound-absorbing materials, or creating a water feature.
2) How high should my fence or wall be to block noise from my neighbor’s yard?
A: The height of your fence or wall will depend on the noise level and the distance between your property and your neighbor’s yard. Generally, a fence or wall that is at least 6 feet tall can provide significant noise reduction.
3) Can planting trees or shrubs really help to block noise from my neighbor’s yard?
A: Yes, planting trees or shrubs can help to block noise from your neighbor’s yard. Plants can absorb and reflect sound waves and can create a natural barrier between your property and your neighbor’s yard.
4) What are some sound-absorbing materials that I can use to block noise from my neighbor’s yard?
A: Some sound-absorbing materials that you can use to block noise from your neighbor’s yard include acoustic panels, soundproof curtains, carpet or rugs, and foam insulation.
5) Can creating a water feature really help to block noise from my neighbor’s yard?
A: Yes, creating a water feature such as a fountain or a pond can help to block noise from your neighbor’s yard. The sound of running water can help to mask or absorb other noises and can create a calming and peaceful atmosphere in your outdoor space.