7 tips to muffle noisy neighbors

So, you just moved into a condo, townhouse or apartment with a killer view or simply doesn't cost an arm and a leg. But now you find yourself banging on the walls to get your neighbors to quiet down.

Noise from next-door neighbors is the No. 1 complaint of Americans living in condo, townhome and apartment complexes, according to a survey by Charlotte, N.C.-based National Gypsum.

The problem is only going to increase in coming years, says Les Blomberg, director the Vermont-based Noise Pollution Clearinghouse, a nonprofit group promoting "peace and quiet." The reason: growing demand for condos and other multifamily residences.

HERE ARE SEVEN TIPS FOR LESSENING THE NOISE:

- Hire an acoustic expert to assess the problem. Sometimes it may be worth it to add insulation or new wall panels that deaden sound. The person you hire should be able to give you estimates.

- Fill holes around pipes coming out of the wall, insulate pipes against the sound of water, isolate a wall and cover it with any of the new soundproofing products on the market.

- Replace single-pane glass with double pane, which deadens noise and helps with heat loss.

- Think rugs, which help muffle sound. If you can't go with wall-to-wall carpeting, use area rugs. Also, hardwood floors are better than concrete slab floors at sound insulation.

- Check out your decor. Hard surfaces will echo more. A plush love seat won't transmit sound like a glass-top coffee table does.

- Open floor plans are popular and so are high ceilings, but there is nothing to stop the sound vibrations. If you are desperate, try a dropped ceiling.

- Put up thick draperies.

Sources: Noise Pollution Clearinghouse; Architect R.J. Steer; National Gypsum