Can Subway Noise in Your House be Reduced?

Clients often ask me: can the subway noise that I hear in my house be reduced? The answer is not simple and usually not what the client wants to hear.

Subway noise is often audible in buildings located near subway lines. Both noise and vibration can travel through the ground for 200 meters or more from the tunnel. The sound is typically most noticeable in basements or lower floors, where the structure is closest to the source of vibration.

Cause of subway noise

Subway noise is generated by ground vibrations that travel from the subway tunnel through the soil and into your building’s structure. These vibrations cause the walls, floors, and other surfaces to vibrate slightly, which in turn re-radiates the energy into the air as audible sound.

Ground-borne vibration noise is very difficult to eliminate at the building level. The most effective solution is to address the problem at its source, which in this case can only be done by the TTC through modifications to the rail system. From what I understand, the newer subway cars are significantly quieter than the older models. Most of the complaints I receive come from clients living near the Bloor–Danforth line, where older cars are still in operation. The situation may improve once the TTC introduces the newer trains on that line.

Reducing subway noise

Some mitigation measures can be implemented during a major renovation to reduce noise from the subway in a house.

If you are constructing a new home or underpinning an existing one, proper foundation design using neoprene dampers can help. This approach can significantly reduce vibration transmission throughout the structure, although the effectiveness depends on the extent of excavation and underpinning involved. Because this is a specialized solution, it should only be designed and supervised by a consultant experienced in vibration control.

I understand that these solutions may not be what homeowners hope to hear, as they can be costly. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive or straightforward remedies for subway noise in homes situated near a subway line.

A good example of successful vibration isolation is the Toronto Opera House, where extensive measures were implemented to protect the performance spaces from subway noise and vibration. However, the scale and cost of this type of project are far beyond what would be feasible for most residential construction.

For readers interested in learning more about how building vibration isolation is achieved, please refer to the following article.