How to D. I. Y. soundproof a 100 year old apartment?

Question

I live in a 100+ year old apartment building with 6 apartments, 2 per floor, everyone boxed in together. The whole building used to be one huge house but it was turned to 6 apartments many decades ago, before electrical heating existed. My downstairs neighbours are fierce noisy abominations who won't listen to diplomacy, and the landlord won't lift a single finger. Living in the apartment feel like an earthquake-ridden 24 hour construction site. When they "slam" their doors underneath us, the whole apartment shakes and rattles. In essence, when they talk, we can follow their converstations.

The soundproofing is total crap (if there at all) and the walls are plaster; the floors & ceilings are wood.

What's the cheapest, fastest, most economical way I can soundproof my apartment against the unbearable (and quite frankly unbelievable) amount of noise from downstairs & next door? No carpeting ideas please; my wife is totally alergic to all forms of carpeting.

Answer 1

You might could try something like "Dynamat". It is a mat type material for cars with loud systems, to kinda dampen the vibration and "trunk noise".

Your wife is allergic to carpet?

As another alternative, hang manufactured soundproofing wall coverings - such as Pyrotek or Super Soundproofing products - which are sold as rigid panels or in rolls. You can purchase these at home improvement centers, lumberyards, insulation contractors or drywall supply houses. Hang the covering according to the manufacturer's directions, then hang the drywall as usual.

Answer 2

OK, may or may not be cheap, for the floor get some of that car sound proofing felt, lay either vinyl floor covering or other floor covering over it. (eg hardwood panels - painted hardboard etc, whatever your budget can take)

For the walls - do you know those 2 1/2 dozen egg trays, they were often used in DIY recording studios attached to the walls as sound proofing, you could use an adhesive, or if you can afford it, get some very cheap sheets of hardboard from Lowe's/Home Depot B&Q and then attach the egg trays to that (they are made from reconstituted paper/card mush and have excellent accoustic qualities. - find a local chicken farm, or supermarket that uses them - often free.

They are about 1' square.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

Egg cartons on walls / ceeling man, works but then you got to cover the ugly shtit man.
Floor....see the black tar paint like stuff on the under side of your car man.Called sound "deadener", only thing it wieghs heaps, in newer cars it comes in sheets sometimesn you find it stuck inside the doors and on the floor under the back seat etc. You can put this stuff down and hope the floor doesnt cave in, but then you still have to cover it with something nice cos it is sticky and black, and doesnt come off clothes reall quickly.

Answer 4

there is no cheap way to soundproof your apartment from your noisy neighbors.

since carpet is not an option---its time to move.

either move or get used to hearing all the noise from downstairs.

Answer 5

MOVE. There is no easy, cheap, or quick way. Also, it's not your place. Why would you even consider fixing up someone else's place? Think about it!

Answer 6

Move

Answer 7

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Answer 8

big furniture? Drapes?