Populations and cities around the globe are continuously growing. This has led to constant construction in almost every other city. If it is not construction, you will find renovations and maintenance work on houses, roads, and other properties.
Authorities in major cities have come up with regulations to control construction noise. That notwithstanding, the noise distracts a lot during the day.
No matter what you are doing at home or even office, you might not reach your productivity levels due to neighborhood construction noise. So, how do you cope with this noise? Here are a few things to do;
Use Sound Absorbent Wall Materials
Tenants will always complain when something is not right. The most common complaint is noise from neighborhood construction. This is because most apartments lack soundproofing materials such as sheetrock that can keep noise away.
Fortunately, you do not have to worry if you have rented an apartment without soundproofing materials. There are different things you can use, all you need is some creativity. For instance, you can get soundproof panels and hang them on your walls. These materials can catch noise from neighborhood construction.
You can also wrap cork boards in fabric and hang them on your walls. There are different types of panels that absorb sound. Most of them are affordable and can be ordered from online retailers.
In addition to dampening noise coming from neighborhood construction, these panels prevent noise in your apartment from getting outside. You will have killed two birds with one stone. Follow these soundproofing principles when using sound-absorbent materials on your walls.
Get a White Noise Machine
Did you know white noise machines are not as expensive as some people think? They even do an amazing job when it comes to coping with the noise of neighborhood construction. These machines lessen the noise and disturbance coming from construction or any other sources.
If you do not want to get a white noise machine, you can consider investing in a standing or ceiling fan. They also play a role in creating white noise at home. This could even be a better option for you, especially during the warmer seasons.
Know the Time Construction Takes Place
The noisiest stages during construction are the early stages. This is when things such as big excavation machines smooth the land. It is also when builders dig the foundation hole and plumbing starts.
This happens during the day, but the exact time might vary from one jurisdiction to another. Finding out the time construction is allowed to take place in your neighborhood can help you deal with construction noise.
Even though the best home builders will try to avoid distracting other people, you might find it difficult to work due to this noise. If you find out about the time, you can find an alternative place to work from, go, or hang out to avoid the construction noise during those times of the day.
Soundproof Your Doors and Floors
Noise from neighborhood construction does not necessarily get to your apartment through the walls. Sometimes, it might come through your doors and floors. You cannot change the doors since you are just a tenant, but you can deal with the noise easily.
The first things to look for are small openings on your doors, especially around the edges of your door jambs. If you have any openings, look for acoustic seals to block them. You can also talk to your landlord to see if you can modify the door to add a door bottom.
This door bottom comes with a neoprene shield that adds a layer of noise protection. Coping with neighborhood construction noise coming from the floor is as easy as adding heavy rugs to your apartment. These rags play a vital role in absorbing some noise. This can also help you block out your neighbors noise.
Use Headphones or Earplugs
This might not be a permanent solution but it can work wonders for those who work from home. However, you do not need to get just any other headphones or earplugs. Instead, look for noise-cancelling ones designed with noise cancelation in mind.
They do an amazing job when it comes to blocking unwanted sounds and frequencies. You can also use the headphones for calls and anything else that normal headphones do. If you have never used earplugs, it might take you some time to get used to them. However, once you get used to it, you will find it easy to cope with the noise of neighborhood construction.
Talk To Your Landlord
The solutions discussed above might not be viable for you. Maybe you have just paid rent and moved into your apartment and do not have any more money left to get the materials. Maybe you have set your workstation at home and cannot work from any other place.
In such a situation, you can always talk to your landlord about the neighborhood construction noise. Explain to them how distracting the noise from the construction is and how you cannot concentrate when working from home.
Together with them, come up with an amicable solution. This does not mean construction will stop, but it might mean that the noisiest activities will only take place at a given time of the day, for a few hours. This way, you can carry on with your daily routine, and your construction can continue without any problems.
Don’t Let Construction Noise Distract You
Most neighbors and construction companies would be very understanding if you complained to them about their construction noise. If none of these solutions work, you can report the issue to the authorities.
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