Noise levels are a major consideration in house purchasing decisions, according to a survey by insulation firm Rockwool, which homeowners trying to sell a house quickly may wish to take into account. The poll found that 87 per cent of potential buyers and tenants are influenced by the level of noise within the home and in the surrounding area, while 43 per cent said it is a “very important” factor.
Part of the reason noise complaints are becoming more common is the trend for removing interior walls to create more space, which also gets rid of a home’s noise barriers, Rockwool said. Managing director Thomas Heldgaard explained: “While trends towards open plan living and wooden floors may improve the aesthetic quality of homes, they also intensify the level of noise transference within the building and can significantly increase noise within flats, not only for the occupants of the apartment in question but also for their neighbours.”
The research comes as Rockwool and the Noise Abatement Society hold roundtable discussions to address ways to cut noise levels in construction and refurbishment work.
