Easy soundproofing measures for a shared house

Not all share houses are soundproof. Concrete RC and SRC constructions are highly soundproof, but steel frame and wooden constructions have thin walls, so there are concerns about soundproofing.

Also, share houses with good soundproofing may have higher rents, so some people may find it difficult to live there due to budget constraints. So, for those who are having trouble with soundproofing, we will introduce some soundproofing measures that you can take right away in a share house.

• Move the furniture to the wall
• Use thick carpets and soundproof curtains
• Apply soundproofing sheets to walls and ceilings
• Put on slippers
• Seal gaps in windows and doors
• Wear earplugs and headphones
• Shared spaces set the rules

To ensure a comfortable life in a shared house, be sure to take thorough soundproofing measures.

Move the furniture to the wall

Since sound travels through walls, place furniture close to the walls. Place large furniture such as bookshelves on the wall facing a common area such as a hallway, or on the wall adjacent to the next room.

This alone will shut out the noise coming from next door. You can rest assured that the sounds of daily life in your room will not be heard by the neighbors.

Use thick carpets and soundproof curtains

If you are worried that the people below you may be able to hear your daily life, one way to soundproof your room is to lay down thick carpeting. Carpeting absorbs sound and vibrations, making it harder for sound to travel to the rooms below.

For similar reasons, it may also be a good idea to lay down shock-absorbing cushions or mats that will absorb sound.

Also, if you are worried about sound leaking outside, soundproof curtains come in handy. They are thicker than regular curtains, so they make it harder for sound to leak outside and make it harder for you to hear outside sounds.

Apply soundproofing sheets to walls and ceilings

It is also recommended to stick soundproofing products such as soundproofing sheets and sound-absorbing sheets on the walls and ceilings to make it harder to hear sounds from outside.

Soundproofing Sheet	A sheet that reflects sound coming from outside the room and blocks out any sound. However, since it only reflects sound, there is a possibility that the noise will echo and become loud.
Sound absorbing sheet	A sound absorbing sheet. For better soundproofing, we recommend using it together with a soundproof sheet.

As mentioned above, noise can be reflected by soundproofing sheets and then absorbed by sound-absorbing sheets, providing even better soundproofing measures.

Put on slippers

Even just wearing slippers will prevent sound from reverberating to people below. If you live in a share house on the second floor or higher, be sure to bring slippers. Also, laying thick carpets as mentioned above will provide even better soundproofing.

Seal gaps in windows and doors

Even the smallest gaps in your windows and doors will allow sound to leak out. Simply sealing these gaps will help prevent everyday sounds from leaking out of your room.

You can fix gaps around windows and doors yourself by using the following tape, which can be purchased online, at home improvement stores, or at 100-yen shops.

Felt Tape	The material is polyester, which is also used as a sound-absorbing material. It is recommended for covering gaps of a few millimeters, and can be purchased at any 100 yen store.
Gap Tape	A urethane tape that can also be used to prevent drafts and dust from entering. It has some elasticity and is available in a wide variety of sizes and thicknesses.
EPT SEALER	This tape uses EPDM rubber foam, which is the most weather-resistant and water-tight of all general-purpose rubbers. The rubber bubble structure helps to diffuse and reduce sound.

We recommend Ept Sealer, which has excellent soundproofing properties, but be sure to choose the appropriate tape based on your budget and the area you will be using it in.

Wear earplugs and headphones

If you listen to music with headphones, you will be less likely to hear the noise from next door. If you have trouble sleeping with headphones on, try using earplugs.

There are also types that block out sound while still allowing you to hear the sound of your alarm clock or other alarms. Both headphones and earplugs may feel strange when you first start using them, but they are recommended as a simple noise-proofing measure.

Shared spaces set the rules

If there is a shared space, make sure to set rules regarding noise. In a shared house, not only will you be concerned about the noise coming from each room, but also the noise coming from the shared space.

For example, there are telephones and voices that can be heard in the living room, as well as the sounds of the washing machine and shower. It may not be a problem if you can hear them during the day, but if you can hear voices and sounds late at night, you won't be able to sleep. It can also be a nuisance to other people, so discuss with your sharemates and decide on the following rules.

• Washing machines and showers are available from 6am to 11pm.
• Open and close the door quietly
• TV volume is capped at 15
• The lights in the living room are turned off at 11pm.
• Minimize conversations in shared spaces after midnight

Why soundproofing is necessary in a shared house

First of all, why do you need soundproofing measures? There are various reasons, such as to improve your relationship with your sharemates or to make your own life more comfortable.

• To realize a comfortable living environment for the people who live there
• To prevent trouble between sharemates
• To ensure a relaxing private space

Let's take a look at three reasons why soundproofing measures are necessary in a shared house.

To realize a comfortable living environment for the people who live there

Soundproofing measures are necessary to maintain a comfortable living environment for not only yourself but also the people living with you. If soundproofing measures are not adequate, everyone will feel stressed by the noises of others' lives. Relationships may become strained, and the shared house may become an uncomfortable place to live.

When moving in, be sure to take thorough soundproofing measures to ensure a comfortable living environment for you and your sharemates.

To prevent trouble between sharemates

It is also important to prevent trouble between sharemates. If you make noise without considering the rules in the common space or how to spend your time in your own room, it may develop into trouble with your sharemates.

Some people may find it hard to sleep if they hear music, telephones, televisions, etc. late at night because the noise bothers them.

Some people may bring their friends over in the middle of the night and make noise in the shared spaces, causing a nuisance to their other housemates.

If you continue to behave in this way, you may incur the animosity of other sharemates. For the sake of your sharemates living in the same house, please decide on the minimum rules and manners necessary and take measures to soundproof the house.

To ensure a relaxing private space

It is also necessary to secure a private space where you can relax. If the share house has strict soundproofing measures and rules, you can feel safe in your own room as a private space. Take soundproofing measures so that you and your sharemates can live together in peace.

If soundproofing measures in a shared house don't solve the problem

No matter how much soundproofing you do, there are cases where noise problems do not go away. There may be people in the same share house who do not follow the rules at all, shouting or listening to loud music late at night.

Even if you want to warn people who don't follow the rules, it can be difficult to do so yourself.

If soundproofing measures in a shared house do not solve the problem, there are two solutions you can take.

• Contact the administrator
• Move out

Contact the administrator

The root cause of noise problems lies with the property manager, as they allow tenants who cause noise and other trouble into the property.

Also, if the rules in a share house are not well established or are poorly enforced, some people will not follow them. If someone does not follow the rules, you should contact the manager to resolve the issue.

Move out

If the problem is not resolved even after the manager has warned the troublemaker, move out immediately. If you continue to live in a property despite the noise, your lifestyle may be disrupted, you may not be able to recover from fatigue, and stress may cause you to develop illnesses such as sleep disorders.

Some people choose to stay in a hotel to refresh themselves in a quiet environment, but a more fundamental solution would be to move to a new shared house rather than paying the cost of a hotel.

summary

Since it is a share house where people with various lifestyles live, there will be many things to be careful about when you move in.

Also, some people start their activities late at night or go to work early in the morning. It is important to take soundproofing measures and follow the rules of the share house so that these people can live stress-free and in peace.

Be sure to take soundproofing measures to create a relaxing environment for both you and your housemates.