Loft space transformed to remedy noise from an upstairs neighbor
Northside neighborhood, Chicago
A Bucktown loft owner reports he is now sleeping through the night—in his master bedroom—thanks to a soundproofing solution provided by CMPS, GNP’s construction arm. Paul C. came to us looking for a way to block noise from an upstairs neighbor.
As residents of multi-unit buildings know, having people live above you comes with the risk of noise—especially in a lofted building. While the aesthetic of a loft brings character and charm, the downside can be the noise. When a new neighbor moved into the unit directly above Paul’s, the noise level significantly increased. Paul was desperate for a solution for a good night’s sleep and daytime quiet to perform his remote job. He had taken to sleeping in his bathtub, unable to tune out the noise.
After assessing the loft layout, we proposed adding 4’ of wall to the existing 8’ foot walls and a drop ceiling (with insulation), using a specialty drywall product called QuietRock®, a sustainable and fire-resistant product designed to reduce sound and vibration. Paul was so pleased with the soundproofed bedrooms that he expanded the project to include the bathroom and hallway. Here’s what Paul had to say:
I had the good fortune of finding GNP Realty/CMPS when I got a new, noisy upstairs neighbor and needed to insulate my two bedrooms. The project manager, Rich Luksa, jumped right on it, came onsite and provided a proposal within two days that included rough drawings to address my noise problem. Once I accepted the proposal, they got to work the next week. The construction workers were professional, took my concerns seriously, and worked quickly. I am very happy with their work, that they listened to my concerns and got it done quickly. I have already referred them to a friend and would recommend them to anyone looking to do construction work on their home.
– Paul C. | Loft Owner
While Paul believes the soundproofing will be a strong selling point, he knows the installation can easily be removed should a buyer want a traditional loft ambiance.
