Is Your Condominium Soundproofing Good Enough?

Condominium Noise | July 20, 2023  | Ivan Koval

Condo buyers and owners need to understand that meeting the NBCC’s minimum requirements for condominium soundproofing does not guarantee high soundproofing or noise control between units.

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Is Your Condominium Soundproofing Good Enough?

Mechanical Noise Complaints In Condos

Condominium Noise | June 11, 2023  | Ivan Koval

Condominium managers and property managers often receive complaints from condo residents about noise. Managers must investigate and try to address the complaints.  Mechanical noise issues can arise in any building, but mitigating them in modern wood structures can be more challenging.

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Mechanical Noise Complaints In Condos

Misleading Acoustical Information

Soundproofing | April 25, 2023  | Ivan Koval

Many people turn to the internet for soundproofing solutions, hoping to resolve their problems independently without hiring an expert. However, this can be challenging, as much of the information available online is misleading or oversimplified. Some product manufacturers, for instance, promote their materials as comprehensive solutions when, in reality, proper soundproofing requires a systems-based approach

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Misleading Acoustical Information

Soundproofing a door with advice from chatGPT

Soundproofing | April 23, 2023  | Ivan Koval

I have asked the AI platform chatGPT, which is recently the rage of the news, this question: How to soundproof a door?  This is the response that I got, verbatim:

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Soundproofing a door with advice from chatGPT

Insulation in walls – is it soundproofing?

Soundproofing | April 19, 2023  | Ivan Koval

Many clients called me explaining that they have hired a contractor to soundproof their bedroom or basement apartment. The contractor added insulation. However, the result of the renovation was not satisfactory.  The noise was almost as bad as before the renovation.

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Insulation in walls – is it soundproofing?

Soundproof Wallpaper – Does It Work?

Soundproofing, Technology News | February 5, 2023  | Ivan Koval

I have previously written about seemingly authoritative sources providing incorrect information on the Internet. This article about soundproof wallpaper is another example. It can be challenging for the average person to distinguish between accurate and misleading information, especially when the source appears authoritative. This is particularly true online, where content can look credible even if it

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Soundproof Wallpaper – Does It Work?

Noise complaints – a guide for condominium managers

Condominium Noise | January 16, 2023  | Ivan Koval

When addressing a noise complaint from condominium residents, property and condominium managers should follow a clear, fair, and documented process to ensure compliance with building rules and maintain good resident relations. Here’s a recommended step-by-step approach:

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Noise complaints – a guide for condominium managers

Secondary Suites and Soundproofing

Soundproofing | February 8, 2022  | Ivan Koval

What is a secondary suite? Ontario building code definition of a secondary suite (basement apartment): Secondary suite means a self-contained dwelling unit with a prescribed floor area located in a building or portion of a building of only residential occupancy that contains only one other dwelling unit and common spaces, and where both dwelling units

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Secondary Suites and Soundproofing