Soundproofing in London

London is home to some of the most beautiful architecture in the country, and as an owner of a period property, we are sure you share our passion and commitment to preserving it. This isn’t to say it should remain unchanged or outdated. We believe that property can maintain originality and gain practicality, and one example of that is by installing soundproofing.

Since Victorian times and the Industrial Revolution, London’s residential population has been ever-increasing. Historically, the need for housing but limited space meant that people moved closer and closer in proximity; what were once individual dwellings became divided into flats and some flats were purpose built to deal with the population boom. At the time, however, little regard was paid to insulation.

This rapid expansion meant properties were sometimes built or converted hurriedly, and materials could be lacking in quality or building regulation corners were cut.This was experienced again after the Second World War when rebuilding the city was so urgent. Unlike today, in previous eras, the need for sound insulation was less of a concern as there were fewer noise pollution issues to contend with. Far fewer residents suffered the impact of a neighbours’ TV turned too high, and with fewer cars on the street and with smaller engines, interference from traffic sounds was minimal. Nowadays, sound-flanking is a major cause for complaint, especially in terraced or semi-detached properties. If you’re a flat owner within a terrace in Dulwich, Hampstead, Islington or Camden, the issue will resonate.

Although the notion of soundproofing originated in the late 1800s, soundproofing regulations and legislations in London building works were only established as recently as 2003 (Building Regulations Document Part E). So unless your home is a new build or an older property that has been renovated in the last 20 years, you are most likely dealing with some noise polluting issues.

Every project at houseUP is treated as unique as there are variances and variables to every property and every property owners’ needs. To ensure the best possible result and value, a site visit will be necessary to gather information that contributes to arriving at cost. We will assess factors such as the type of property, size of the area needing soundproofing fitting, and the complexity of the work. Then we might work with a specialist soundproofing company to collaborate on elements such as testing, adhering to property specific building regulations, and most appropriate materials to employ. An example of one of our most prestigious soundproofing projects being the previously mentioned Coleherne Court. Everything for this project had to be custom designed and built to within very rigid building specifications, requiring the use of the most expensive and quality materials. Needless to say, the result was highly effective.

However, not all projects require high-end materials and big budgets. houseUP will take the time to fully assess your individual case and tailor the installation to your property.

Soundproofing is generally achieved by adding mass to air-filled cavities. With a variety of soundproofing solutions to choose from, i.e. mass loaded panels, multi-layered construction, insulation absorption or impact barriers to name a few, our results won’t minimise room space, are unseen and above all, effective.

We have been proven to dramatically reduce airborne and impact sounds through our diligent approaches to wall soundproofing, floor soundproofing and ceiling soundproofing, as well as more unique requests. Through evaluating the need, selecting the most suitable soundproofing options and materials, we can ensure that noises from within or outside the home are less audible, if not completely muted.

To be successful in soundproofing that fulfils your requirements, the most important factor is to have a bespoke design for you by a professional soundproofing company. Once one of the options recommended is selected, have a competent building contractor carry out the work. Finally, engage a reliable independent sound testing consultant to measure the final results.