Are townhomes well sound proofed?

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: henmaster
What is a townhome? Never heard that term before.

PictureIt's a series of homes, usually fairly small, built right next to each other to make more efficient use of the land. They cost less because of this.

 

[Mill]

Skoorb what areas have you looked at? Have you gone farther south than Pelham?

<---- Brother had a townhome as did some friends. They hated it.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Millennium
Skoorb what areas have you looked at? Have you gone farther south than Pelham?

<---- Brother had a townhome as did some friends. They hated it.

Why did they hate it...?

We've looked at some homes in Helena (maybe it's old cahaba?), and then specifically the new homes down the 31 across from the strip mall that has radio shack (really close to autozone), and the new townhomes being built on the way to helena (I think what valleydale turns into) that are on your left like 4 miles from the galleria.

 

[Aquaman]

What are the houses made of Concrete walls or wood frame? Generally concrete is very sound proof but wood frame can be just as sound proof depending on the insulation. A good way to check the sound out is you stay in one house & the Mrs goes in the house next door & you both scream your heads off to see if you can hear each other.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

Giggle...now that's a good idea!

 

[Vic]

I used to live in a "rowhome" with "double wall" construction. Essentially, the walls adjoining other units consisted of two regular 6" walls with a 2" concrete filler. Excellent soundproofing, my neighbors never complained regardless of how loud it was.
Not all rowhouses and townhouses are built like that so you want to check in advance.

 

[eviltoon]

My wife and I have looked into townhomes, and I have a fair bit of experience in renovating. Most wood framed townhomes are not very well insulated against percussive sounds. They will prevent normal voice levels from getting through, but hysterical screaming or kids shouting will get through. But, unless there are concrete floors and walls, the most annoying sounds to get through are what I call percussive sounds. Running up and down stairs, jumping from couch to floors (kids i'm thinking here), and low level sound frequencies. God help you if your neighbours have a home theatre set up. Sub woofers will carry through wood framed buildings like nothing. And if your neighbours kid is learning piano...life can get pretty painful.

If you really are interested in a place I would strongly suggest you talk to the neighbours and get their views. And ask in you can do a sound test. Get you wife/partner to wait in the a neighbours living room living room and go jump up and down and shout a bit. It may sound silly, but whose the fool to put hundreds of thousands of dollars into a poor investment.

We bought a house

 

[4Lclovergirl]

I agree that it depends onthe townhouse. But to make them even better, try and get an end unit, and try to go for an area with an "older" crowd, so you won't get college frat boys parting next to you

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Millennium
Skoorb what areas have you looked at? Have you gone farther south than Pelham?

<---- Brother had a townhome as did some friends. They hated it.

Why did they hate it...?

We've looked at some homes in Helena (maybe it's old cahaba?), and then specifically the new homes down the 31 across from the strip mall that has radio shack (really close to autozone), and the new townhomes being built on the way to helena (I think what valleydale turns into) that are on your left like 4 miles from the galleria.

You should go up 65 North towards G'dale and F'dale. Have you gotten a good realty book yet? They hated it because it is so damn much like an apartment...

 

[Medea]

Like anything, it varies - and re: townhouses, some of them are constructed well with nice amenities, and others are POS's. You have to look for yourself.

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: MrsSkoorb
Giggle...now that's a good idea!

Now having said that .......... I prefer to buy older houses and then renovate them Maybe rent out the basement to help out with the mortgage

Cheers,
Aquaman