Isn’t it wild how you can chase every little draft and still end up with the house vibrating like a washing machine on spin? I’ll admit, I’m skeptical about how much difference caulk alone really makes in the long run. Maybe I just had bad luck, but after a weekend of gunking up every gap I could find, it felt like the noise just found new ways in—like water seeping through cracks. Heavy curtains did more for me, honestly, though they’re not exactly stylish unless you’re going for “Victorian haunted house.”
I will say, I’ve never tried those rubber pads under the floor. It sounds genius but also like a plot to drive me mad during installation. Anyone ever actually pulled that off without tearing up half the house? I guess at some point you just have to accept a bit of city rumble as part of the charm... or invest in better earplugs.
Rubber pads under the floor are a pain, honestly. I tried them in my old place—ended up having to pull up half the living room just to get them in right. The noise dropped a bit, but not enough to justify the hassle. Heavy curtains did more for me too, even if they look like something out of a Dracula movie. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles...
Rubber pads under the floor are a pain, honestly.
I hear you about the rubber pads—installing those is a pain, especially if you’re not planning a full-on reno. But I actually had better luck with them in my last place. Maybe it’s because I went with the interlocking tiles instead of the rolls? Didn’t have to rip up the whole floor, just shifted the furniture around and slotted them in sections. The noise drop was subtle, but it cut out the worst of the bass from downstairs.
Heavy curtains look weird in a modern space, I’ll give you that. Tried those too, but for me, it was more about blocking drafts than sound. Guess it depends on your building and what kind of noise you’re fighting. Sometimes a combo works best, even if it’s not pretty...
Honestly, I get the struggle with rubber pads—mine turned into a mini workout just dragging furniture around. But hey, if the interlocking tiles worked for you, maybe I was just unlucky (or too impatient). Heavy curtains are a weird vibe in my place too. Tried them once and my living room looked like a haunted theater... but I guess anything’s better than hearing my neighbor’s midnight karaoke. Sometimes you just gotta mix and match until the noise drops to a dull roar. Hang in there—it’s definitely worth it when you finally get some peace.
Heavy curtains are a weird vibe in my place too. Tried them once and my living room looked like a haunted theater...
I hear you on the haunted theater look—mine felt like I was about to host a séance instead of movie night. Honestly, mixing stuff is the only thing that’s ever worked for me. Sometimes it’s just trial and error until something finally sticks. At least you’re not alone with the midnight karaoke… my neighbor’s dog has its own solo act every night.
mine felt like I was about to host a séance instead of movie night
That’s exactly the vibe I got when I tried those thick blackout curtains—felt like I was living in a stage set for a ghost story. Honestly, they blocked some noise, but not enough to justify feeling like I was hiding from the sun forever. What actually helped in my case was replacing the old single-pane windows with double glazing. It wasn’t cheap (took me a while to save up), but it made a bigger difference than any curtain or DIY hack.
Here’s how it went: first, I measured all the windows myself and got a few quotes (some were wild, so definitely shop around). Then picked one that did both installation and cleanup—trust me, you don’t want to deal with broken glass shards everywhere. The work took two days, and the immediate drop in traffic noise was honestly surprising. Not total silence, but enough that the TV doesn’t have to fight with sirens at 2am.
Curtains still help with light and privacy, but now I can use lighter ones without feeling like Dracula. If anyone’s weighing options, consider starting with window upgrades before investing in more fabric than a costume shop...
Curtains still help with light and privacy, but now I can use lighter ones without feeling like Dracula.
I hear you on the blackout curtain cave vibes—mine made the whole room look like a bunker. I went the double glazing route too, but did you notice any weird drafts after? I had to add some extra weatherstripping around the frames because the installers didn’t seal one corner right. Worth it though—my neighbor’s yappy dog is now just background noise instead of a main event. Anyone else find window upgrades mess with your indoor temps? My place actually stays cooler in summer now, which was a nice surprise.
my neighbor’s yappy dog is now just background noise instead of a main event
That’s the dream, right? I had a similar issue—double glazing cut down the street noise, but I did get some odd drafts at first. Turns out my 1950s frames weren’t exactly square. Had to get creative with foam tape and a hair dryer. The improved insulation really surprised me though—my AC barely kicks on in July now, and the living room doesn’t feel like a greenhouse. Still, I kind of miss hearing the rain on the old panes… but not the barking.
Had to get creative with foam tape and a hair dryer.
That’s a solid workaround for those old, uneven frames. Sometimes you’ve gotta improvise—nothing’s ever square in these older houses. Glad to hear the insulation upgrade paid off for you. Losing the sound of rain is a tradeoff, but not sweating through July is worth it in my book. If you ever want that rain sound back, there are some decent apps out there... not quite the same, but better than barking.
- Foam tape plus a hair dryer—classic move for those stubborn frames.
- Not surprised you ran into uneven corners; old houses rarely make it easy.
- When I do installs, I often see folks underestimate how much prep it takes. Sometimes you need shims or a bit of caulk too, especially if the frame’s warped.
- Sound loss is real after double glazing—my neighbor started missing the rain too. Ended up opening a bathroom window during storms... not energy efficient but he swears by it.
- Apps are okay, but yeah, never quite the same as the real thing.