Sound progress: a review of homeowner feedback on noise in new homes

In the 1990s noise transmission was a major cause of dissatisfaction for occupiers of attached homes.

To address this problem, sound insulation standards were tightened in the 2003 edition of Approved Document E (AD E) and in 2004 the Robust Details scheme became available as a compliance route for designers and house builders.

To understand the impact of these measures on the ground, this NHBC Foundation report examines feedback on noise from occupants of new homes built since 2004.

For attached homes the work identifies an encouraging downward trend in the number of concerns on transmitted sound, suggesting that AD E and supporting guidance has progressively improved performance for the benefit of purchasers of new homes.