In my two previous articles, we talked about how you can reduce noise from upstairs neighbors and how to annoy your upstairs neighbor both legally and illegally.
One of the most effective ways I’ve discovered over the years was the use of a gadget known as the ceiling vibrator.
It’s a small device initially sold in the Chinese market but has become so popular that you can easily order it on eBay online store.
This small device creates vibrations and knocking sounds and transmits them through your ceiling to the upstairs neighbor’s floor.
But would a ceiling vibrator be so effective in reducing noise from downstairs neighbors?
If not, what other methods would be effective in dampening annoying sounds from those living below you?
Can You Hear Downstairs Neighbors?
Yes! You can hear downstairs neighbors.
But generally, you’re less likely to hear noise coming from the floor beneath you.
But that doesn’t guarantee that you won’t hear any noise coming from downstairs since sound travels up and down and in all directions.
A-List of Ways on How to Reduce Noise from Downstairs Neighbors
Below are my most recommended methods on how you can deal with a noisy downstairs neighbor. These are effective methods that shouldn’t take most of your time.
1. Talk To Your Downstairs Neighbors
The first step before taking any other drastic measure would be to talk to your neighbor.
If they seem like friendly people, you could simply go downstairs and knock on their door and let them invite you in or simply invite them to your apartment.
If you suspect that they aren’t good people, I would highly recommend you keep off them and probably involve someone else to act as your mediator.
You could involve the landlord or the property manager to relay your message that they’re being noisy.
This is a 50/50 shot and doesn’t guarantee that your neighbor will end the noise problem.
If that doesn’t happen, then I would highly suggest you consider other methods highlighted below.
2. Soundproof the Floor
One way to deal with the noise coming from the floor downstairs would be to soundproof the floor. Different ways will help you deaden the noise problem, and they include:
Thick and Heavy Carpets
The golden rule when it comes to soundproofing is to always add more mass, as more helps reduce noise transmission.
When choosing a carpet, the denser, the better. Also, make sure you cover your entire floor to help minimize the noise as much as possible.
Enjoy Holiday 1981 nonslip area rug pad is a perfect product for this purpose since it’s thick, helping reduce noise so that you and your family can sleep comfortably.
3. Add Mass Loaded Vinyl
If you suspect that the thick carpeting didn’t effectively reduce the noise problem, there’s a way you can complement it.
Add a layer of mass-loaded vinyl sheeting beneath your carpet.
Mass-loaded vinyl is a thick and dense soundproofing material that’s been around for decades. It’s mainly used for dealing with impact noises, and unlike most materials advertised on the market today, it blocks sound rather than absorbing it.
One of my most recommended MLV products for this purpose is the TMS Sound Proofing Padding.
Simply place it beneath your carpeting, and you’d be surprised at the amount of noise you’ll have blocked.
If MLV doesn’t sound like the right product for you, I highly recommend you check out these best mass-loaded vinyl alternatives.
4. Moving Blanket
Well, soundproof moving blankets have been around for years and do a fantastic job in noise absorption.
Even though they’re great in noise reduction and closely resemble a fluffy carpet, here’s my honest opinion:
While you could decide to place soundproofing blankets on your floor, they’d certainly make it ugly and lose its aesthetic appeal unless you add carpeting on top of it.
Well, I’d instead go with the rug pad option, but if you’re on a budget, then why not grab one of these blankets and later upgrade to something more aesthetic and effective?
Check out the US Cargo Control Large Sound Blanket, one of my most recommended when it comes to sound blankets that work.
5. Hang Soundproof Curtains
If you’re certain that you can hear your neighbor’s TV or them shouting noises coming through the window, when why not soundproof your windows?
One of the most effective and affordable to soundproof your window is to use soundproofing curtains.
Noise dampening curtains are made of thick and dense materials, unlike regular curtains, which makes them highly effective in sound absorption.
For example, NICETOWN Soundproof Window Treatment Drapes for Hall Room is an excellent curtain for window sound treatment.
If you’re on a budget, then you could simply, you can simply use your room divider curtains as they work similarly to the noise-reducing drapes.
6. Use a White Noise Machine
A white noise machine will help drown out the noise from those living downstairs rather than blocking or reducing it.
Something like HoMedics White Noise Sound Machine offers 6 soothing nature sounds, and it’s ideal for use in a baby nursery, home office, and travel.
Alternatively, you could get one of these white noise fans to help drown out outside noise while at the same time keeping yourself cool during those hot summer months.
7. Soundproof the Doors
Doors are big culprits in letting in unwanted airborne noise from the folks living downstairs.
You see, most of these doors we have at home are made of light and hollow materials and have gaps that allow noise to leak into your apartment.
In my previous article on soundproofing an apartment door, we saw how you could use household items for door noise reduction.
While using household items such as hanging blankets on the door will certainly help reduce the noise leaking through the door, one highly effective method to drastically reduce the noise problem would be to replace the hollow door with a solid core door.
Alternatively, if you’re on a budget, then you could check out my guide on how to soundproof a hollow door to help with noise reduction.
8. Try the Ceiling Vibrator
If you approached your neighbors, and they seem not to give a damn, then why not piss them off- hit them where it hurts the most?
Well, get yourself a ceiling vibrator, and set it up with the motor side attached directly to your floor.
Once the setup is done, all you have to do is wait until when downstairs folk begin a nuisance.
Want perfect revenge served on a silver platter? Well, wait till they’re asleep, and then activate your ceiling vibrator.
They’ll probably change neighborhoods in a couple of weeks or months, as this tiny device won’t allow them to sleep peacefully.
On Reducing Noise from Downstairs Neighbors
It’s possible to reduce noise from downstairs neighbors. However, it’s important to note that you won’t entirely get rid of the noise problem.
Luckily, you’ll be able to reduce noise transmission to manageable levels.
In all your DIY soundproofing activities, especially when living in a rental unit or apartment, make sure that you confirm your rental agreement to see if the landlord allows significant structural changes to the unit as some recommended ideas in this blog may require structural alteration of the house.
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.