Original article: How to solve the problem of noise from upstairs?

How many people across the country are currently troubled by noise from upstairs apartments? It's probably more than you think.

1. In 2020, Zhihu, Weibo, and Hupu joined forces to compile the "Top Ten Regrets and Troubles in Life Voted by Netizens in 2020" based on the latest big data analysis and online voting. Nearly 37 million people participated, and every vote came from netizens.

The number one annoyance of 2020: noise from upstairs/neighborhood/street noise, with 8,001,900 votes .

The information above shows that no matter the economic pressure, work, illness, or marriage, nothing is as bothersome as noise.

Of all types of noise, upstairs noise is the most bothersome. Therefore, the problem you're experiencing isn't an isolated case, but rather a common phenomenon. I even created a noise-related group where almost everyone troubled by neighborly noise complains about upstairs noise.

Next, let's address the problem: how to solve the noise from upstairs?

1. First, understand the root cause of the noise from upstairs .

Many people complain about noise from upstairs neighbors, but why is it so difficult to resolve? Let's understand the types of noise from upstairs neighbors: walking, dragging tables and chairs, children running around the house, and, in more extreme cases, bouncing a ball or jumping rope. Most of these sounds are actually normal household noises. You might call them noise, but the upstairs neighbors won't admit it because, in their view, "Can't I move around normally in my own home?"

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This leads to a Rashomon-like situation where everyone is considering the issue from their own perspective, with no clear right or wrong. Therefore, simply asking them to be quieter usually won't solve the problem; poor communication can actually resent the upstairs neighbors and exacerbate the noise. I've seen cases where the upstairs neighbors lived in a shared apartment, and the downstairs neighbor was an introverted, unsociable young man. When he went upstairs to discuss the noise, the upstairs neighbors denied it, and the young man, in a fit of rage, went to their door with a knife, ultimately resulting in a criminal case. Therefore, proper communication is key to resolving upstairs noise issues, which I'll discuss later.

The root cause lies in the thickness of the floor slab. Currently, the standard for floor slab thickness in my country is 10cm to be considered acceptable, with a lower limit of 8cm. Add to that a 2.5m ceiling height, and you're practically living with your upstairs neighbor-close enough to be family. That's how it is upstairs. I can hear everything they say-talking, swearing, teaching their kids to read. If something hits the floor, the vibrations are amplified by the ceiling. While necessary noise, like cooking or the washing machine, can be tolerated occasionally, the stomping and running around upstairs-the kind of noise created by low manners-is much more unbearable. Over centuries of cultural development, a direct correlation has formed between sound and a person's character.

2. How to solve the noise from upstairs?

① Effective Communication. Friendly communication is the most important first step in resolving noise issues. Many people escalate neighborly conflicts by failing at this initial stage. First, you need to confirm that the noise source is indeed from upstairs. Then, put aside your self-righteous victimhood (thinking this way always makes your tone harsh). Now you know the root cause: the developer's problem resulted in a thin floor slab, and the upstairs neighbor didn't want it this way either. They don't understand soundproofing, and they don't realize their noise is affecting you. Therefore, you need to first raise the issue and let them know your distress. My approach is to first record a video of the noise from their apartment, then go upstairs and say: "Excuse me, neighbor, I live downstairs. I've been hearing this noise every night lately (show them the video). I don't know if it's from your apartment. The soundproofing in our building might not be very good. Could you please lower the volume a little? We're all neighbors, let's try to understand each other."

After saying this, he'll understand the real problem. If you have children at home, you can also try providing play mats or soft-soled slippers. The first principle is that you shouldn't approach the initial conversations with anger; be gentle, show empathy, and even try to build a friendship. Most people will be somewhat more considerate. This way, at least you can prevent him from escalating his behavior and deliberately retaliating if the original noise issue isn't resolved.

② Noise Desensitization. I've seen another case where the upstairs neighbors had put soundproofing stickers on all their tables and chairs and kept their children from running around, being extremely careful to reduce noise. However, the downstairs neighbors were still relentless. The upstairs neighbors even installed security cameras so the downstairs neighbors could review the footage after hearing the noise, but the downstairs neighbors ignored them and even installed a noise-generating device in retaliation. In this situation, it's not simply a problem with the upstairs neighbors; the person who is overly sensitive to noise also has a problem. Life can't be completely noise-free. Noise sensitivity is being particularly sensitive to certain sounds, sometimes even deliberately listening to them. We need to control our minds, shift our attention, do some housework, listen to music, exercise, and please ourselves more. Don't waste time listening to other people's noise. This process requires long-term practice. Over time, you'll find yourself increasingly able to control your hearing and be more focused on other things.

③ Soundproofing. Many people think soundproofing is unnecessary, and we can't change that no matter how many times we explain it. Soundproofing is an auxiliary measure for buildings with substandard acoustics. The best way to solve upstairs noise is to do active soundproofing and vibration damping on the floor: foundation slab + leveling + appropriately thick damping pads + cement mortar protective layer + floor finish (wood flooring, marble, etc.). This reduces noise impact on the downstairs neighbors, and it's more convenient, cost-effective, and efficient than installing a false ceiling downstairs. However, this involves considering others' feelings; few people will bother themselves for the sake of others. But this also frees up your own energy, because it prevents downstairs neighbors from constantly bothering you and accusing you of being inconsiderate.

Soundproofing is still an emerging industry. Many home improvement businesses don't understand soundproofing, and those selling acoustic products generally don't offer soundproofing services. Soundproofing starts with the initial renovation, so we need to be aware of this and avoid making choices that lead to unrest later. Feel free to ask me any questions about noise or soundproofing.