Soundproofing Granny Flats

Soundproofing Granny Flats Guide – 6 Useful Tips

At Granny Flats Sydney, we focus on increasing granny flat rentals. Soundproofing is often neglected when designing new granny flats. When you’re building two dwellings close together, soundproofing is even more important due to: 1. Proximity. Backyard cabins are best built away from the main dwelling. 2. It’s Party Time! Want a few friends over for dinner and drinks? Soundproofing can avoid nasty confrontations at 2 am on a Saturday morning. 3. Appeal. Soundproofing is an excellent advertisement for new tenants. If they know the granny flat is sound proofed, they’ll be more likely to choose you over the competition.

Six Methods of Soundproofing

1. Maximum Distance – The further apart the dwellings are from each other, the less sound is propagated between them. Of course this is not always possible. 2. Existing Obstacles – The second method involves siting your new granny flat behind things like garages, sheds, trees and fences. The added bonus here is that it costs the least amount to achieve. 3. New Obstacles – The third method involves putting up new barriers like, pencil pines, fences, shrubs and garden sheds. 4. The External Facade– The fourth method is to construct the granny flat in brick or concrete blocks. There are various acoustic products o the market nowadays. This is more expensive though and the look doensn’t suit every property. 5. Windows – The fifth method is to minimise windows facing the main dwelling. Another option is to use double glazing on windows. This latter can be quite expensive. 6. Insulation – This sixth method is great when designing new granny flats. Acoustically insulated battsare only mildly more expensive than ‘normal’ ones and provide excellent sound absorption. The best method for sound insulation is to combine two or more of the above mentioned methods. If you can provide fencing, trees, a brick facade and over five meters between the dwellings, you’ll get excellent privacy between your tenants. We talk more about the importance of creating privacy and separation HERE.

Making your Tenants Happy

Making your tenants happy means less occupancy rates. A comfortable tenant won’t want to leave. It’s as simple as that. So when you’re designing your new granny flat, give some thought to increasing the soundproofing. This often overlooked topic can make all the difference in enhancing your overall project. If you choose us to build your new granny flat, you can rest assured that we think of everything that will enhance your granny flat. We hope this guide helps you to think about ways to enhance the privacy for your tenants and maximise the appeal of your new granny flat. Warm Regards, Serge Panayi – Granny Flats Sydney (NSW) Pty Ltd

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Comments

6 replies on Soundproofing Granny Flats

  • Grant Doyle says:
    April 9, 2013 at 10:45 pm

    Hi,
    Firstly, an excellent web site and great resource.
    Secondly, while I live in Sydney, I’m bought several properties in regional NSW, so was wondering if you offer such services in country areas, like Tamworth? Or do you have registered distributors or licensed builders outside Sydney?

    Thanks in advance.
    Grant Doyle

  • Serge Panayi says:
    April 9, 2013 at 10:57 pm

    Hi Grant,

    Thanks for the positive feedback. I’m so glad the info here is helping.

    To answer your question regarding providing Granny Flat Builders in Regional areas:
    We’ve done a lot of rural regional approvals in areas like Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Taree, Orange, Newcastle and the Illawarra NSW to name just a few. We have been able to find great builders but not always in these areas. Getting reliable and affordable builders in rural areas is always difficult.
    Our process does allow you to get approvals done though and then you can use that to tender for the best builder. As we speak I do not have a builder in Tamworth though, sorry. I’d look for a local who can emulate our pricing as close as possible and do check their previous work. Give me a call if you need further advice.

    Serge Panayi.

  • alan linklater says:
    September 12, 2017 at 10:06 am

    Is there a defined sound rating insulation between Granny Flats and houses

    • Serge Panayi says:
      September 12, 2017 at 12:17 pm

      Hi Alan,

      No. There’s no regulation under the State SEPP.
      We did carry out a DA in Chatswood last year (under a DA) in which the property backed onto a rail corridor, so we needed to do a sound-report and designed it to mitigate the noise from trains; otherwise, there are no ‘set regulations’ for noise/sound.

      Serge

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