Why are new or recent houses poorly soundproofed?

When you buy or rent a new home, you might expect the quality of the soundproofing to be impeccable. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. New homes, even new ones, can be poorly soundproofed for a number of reasons.

The first reason has to do with building standards. In fact, acoustic standards are not always strictly applied in the construction of houses. These standards are in place to ensure a certain quality of life for the occupants of the dwelling by reducing external noise (traffic, neighbourhood noise, etc.). However, these standards are sometimes neglected, especially when construction time is at a premium.

Another reason why new housing may be poorly soundproofed is the quality of the materials used. Some materials can provide better insulation than others. For example, single-glazed windows are not as effective at reducing noise as double-glazed windows. Similarly, some soundproofing materials are more effective than others, and less effective materials may have been used in the construction of the house.

It is also possible that new homes have poor soundproofing because of the design of the building itself. For example, gaps between walls and ceilings may not have been properly filled with insulating materials, creating weak points in the soundproofing. Similarly, openings between walls for pipes, electrical cables and ventilation ducts can also allow noise to spread.

Finally, it is possible that the occupants themselves are the cause of the soundproofing problems. Noise from inside the house (voices, music, etc.) can be amplified by the materials used in construction, such as wood or tiled floors.

In short, new homes can be poorly soundproofed for a number of reasons, ranging from construction standards and the quality of materials used to the design of the building and the behaviour of the occupants. It is therefore important to find out about acoustic insulation before buying or renting a new home to ensure a certain level of comfort.