Super noise-sensitive neighbor

[Zenmervolt]

I think we have a communication problem. Down here in America's Wang a "patio" is an enclosed area with screen. On the first floor they have a screen door leading outside. They often have a lower area which is not screened, but often wood/drywall up to roughly your knees/waist before the screen starts. Above you is a balcony from the 2nd floor apt. Nearly all "patios" are built this way. There is a serious risk of CO poisoning as its heavier than air and collects in the patio and enters your home.

I could care less if someone is outside barbecuing (10 feet from the building like the fire code says) but at least once a month there is a news story of some jackoff barbecuing on his patio killing his whole family (I didn't know there was anything wrong!!!! I thought they were all sleeping! OMG OMG!)

Ahh. Up here in the Northern parts of the country we call those "Florida rooms" or sunrooms. The term "patio" up here exclusively refers to an un-walled outdoor space; it's essentially synonymous with a deck or porch.

Still, from years of grilling I have to say that the 10-foot rule is BS. Unless you have vinyl siding there's no need to keep a grill more than a few feet from the house.

ZV

 

[Gooberlx2]

Sucks. I've definitely been on the other end, and probably some of my complaints seemed ridiculous to the neighbors.

We lived in an old mansion home converted in to apartments. Paper thin walls, wood floors, etc... The neighbors were promoters, so their jobs kept them out late every night. In a house like that, the knock from wood/hollow heels on wood floors traveled through the whole house and, I swear, actually amplified.

They were playing backgammon one night and it sounded like they were moving furniture. It really wasn't their fault, but the way sounds worked in that house was awful. I'm pretty sure they thought we were being ridiculous about some of it and delighted when we finally moved out. Turned out that they moved in to our apartment after us and experienced exactly the same thing (they emailed us to apologize for ever doubting our claims).

I'm just thinking that, depending on the what kind of apartment/structure you're in, it may not be all that ridiculous from her end. You should ask to go in to her apartment hear what it sounds like for yourself.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Ahh. Up here in the Northern parts of the country we call those "Florida rooms" or sunrooms. The term "patio" up here exclusively refers to an un-walled outdoor space; it's essentially synonymous with a deck or porch.

Still, from years of grilling I have to say that the 10-foot rule is BS. Unless you have vinyl siding there's no need to keep a grill more than a few feet from the house.

ZV

I consider a patio as you do, an open space outside the house.

A sunroom has proper walls, interior, insulation and all that. But is situated such that it receives a lot of sunlight through abundant windows.

A lanai would be the screened-in patio bobdole was talking about.

 

[dainthomas]

This is why you can't beat living in a house. If I feel like cranking up my surround sound at two in the morning and watching the Moria scene from Fellowship of the Ring, I am free to do so.

"YOOOUUUUUU!!! SHALLL NOOTTTTT!!! PAAAAAASSSSSSSSSS!!!!!"

 

[Murloc]

There is a reason why all couples who can afford to so buy a house.
Having no one over or under you is the most important thing.

grilling outside your house is no problem, but if it's in places like those in the pic, then I understand how it's dangerous. Even if it's a balcony (no screens) it's still dangerous, and you smoke your neighbours anyway.

 

[Perknose]

I'm just thinking that, depending on the what kind of apartment/structure you're in, it may not be all that ridiculous from her end. You should ask to go in to her apartment hear what it sounds like for yourself.

This is your first move.

If you then determine that she's being weirdly unreasonable, tape your next "movie in bed on the laptop" session, including taping from your next room, and then in the room, up until she stomps on her floor/your ceiling.

Then take the device you're recording this all on upstairs while you knock on her door (for legal purposes, this should now have video, too), STAY COMPLETELY CALM AND REASONABLE, and record your interaction, including, if possible, getting her to invite you in while you again hear from her apt what your still playing movie sounds like.

As a childhood friend used to say, "You can't beat a man with the facts."

 

[Zenmervolt]

A sunroom has proper walls, interior, insulation and all that. But is situated such that it receives a lot of sunlight through abundant windows.

A lanai would be the screened-in patio bobdole was talking about.

Most of the sunrooms I've seen have been uninsulated and lack HVAC registers. Usually they have only partially close-able glazing (like the old glass shutters) and limited protection from the weather. Of course, I grew up around a lot of older farmhouses so perhaps most of the "sunrooms" I saw growing up were merely screened-in porches with an aggrandizing name.

ZV

 

[Macamus Prime]

...ironically making slamming noises loud enough that we both jumped every time she did it.

,... wha,...???

 

[Gooberlx2]

Most of the sunrooms I've seen have been uninsulated and lack HVAC registers. Usually they have only partially close-able glazing (like the old glass shutters) and limited protection from the weather. Of course, I grew up around a lot of older farmhouses so perhaps most of the "sunrooms" I saw growing up were merely screened-in porches with an aggrandizing name.

ZV

I've definitely seen them both ways. Exterior addition or full-fledged interior room addition.

this vs this

this is a lanai. And this.

 

[SP33Demon]

Have super loud sex. That will shut her up!

 

[bobdole369]

Have super loud sex. That will shut her up!

Have sex with her wife! That'll get her (sorry /kramer)

 

[foghorn67]

Anybody barbequeing on the patio in a building that is mine, or adjacent to mine, gets a visit from the fire department. (Unless I know its electric). You can usually tell by the massive amount of fire and smoke.

I dislike dying from carbon monoxide (yes I know each unit is sealed but still, people kill whole families this way).

You are the sorest person I have heard of. Move to a house you grump.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Its ok to be jealous

Holy crap, do you always end up posting that shitty bbq smoker in every thread you post in?

We get it, you're a douche.

 

[SP33Demon]

Holy crap, do you always end up posting that shitty bbq smoker in every thread you post in?

We get it, you're a douche.

He's Texan, you have to give him a pass.

 

[Firestorm007]

"I want you to be nice until it's time to not be nice." Apparently, she's not being nice, so maybe it's time to go Dalton on her...Get the subwoofer out.

 

[Ninjahedge]

But I will not give him $200.

Patio is literally a space of stones or other things that is built right on ground level. You can have an "enclosed patio space" which is different than just a patio, but you have already said it is enclosed....

Most people get lazy when they name things, so if enclosing a patio is common, they stop saying "enclosed"...


As for the sound, take a look around the house. See if there are any openings (like from heating or plumbing pipes). Ask your neighbor where she is hearing the sound come though the most. If it is through the floor, the only solution is either tolerance or some insulating foam or baffles for the ceiling.

Sometimes it is just what resonates, and there is not much you can do about it. A long time ago I got the same banging for playing a game w/a small subwoofer. It was for the guy upstairs. They came down, knocked on the door, and were surprised themselves on how low the volume actually was.

Sometimes you just have to be tolerant and accommodating on both sides. You keep the big stuff quiet between X and Y times, and she starts wearing earplugs.

 

[bobdole369]

You are the sorest person I have heard of. Move to a house you grump.

It's AGAINST THE FIRE CODE! I dislike dying in a fire, and I seriously dislike hearing people killing their entire families with their laziness! Move off the porch/patio/lanai/breezeway/florida room - 10 feet away from the building like the fire code says! LAZINESS KILLS! YOU YES YOU!

 

[olds]

Pics of girlfriend?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

He's Texan, you have to give him a pass.

So is the guy you quoted.

 

[drebo]

This is why you can't beat living in a house. If I feel like cranking up my surround sound at two in the morning and watching the Moria scene from Fellowship of the Ring, I am free to do so.

"YOOOUUUUUU!!! SHALLL NOOTTTTT!!! PAAAAAASSSSSSSSSS!!!!!"

Well, unfortunately, where we are, lots of houses are on slabs instead of raised foundations (cheapass houses)...sound travels a bit too well in those cases, and booming bass can be heard pretty far away.

WAAAAY better than an apartment, but not as good as a raised foundation.

 

[dabuddha]

You do realise that the patio is outside, right? And that carbon monoxide poisoning only happens when people bring the grill inside with no ventilation, right? There's literally zero carbon monoxide risk from someone using a grill on an outdoor patio.

ZV

Why let something silly like science and logic muck things up?

 

[sourceninja]

My favorite memory of apartment living was the time I had some great marathon sex with my wife. At the end of it I hear from downstairs someone yell out "God damn! Finally!"

 

[edro]

Invite her to your apartment to see the sound level, then walk upstairs together to see if it is audible.

She probably thinks you have it on high.
Once she understands you aren't being outrageous, she might shutup about it.

 

[johnjohn320]

My favorite memory of apartment living was the time I had some great marathon sex with my wife. At the end of it I hear from downstairs someone yell out "God damn! Finally!"

Haha. My upstairs roommate and her boyfriend used to go at it all the time. We'd always give each other a hard time-they were both plump, my gf and I were both skinny. Even if we switched beds, we had no way of getting back at them noise-wise!

 

[Wyndru]

Pre-emptively complain to the landlord about her ironic stomping.

^^^