Q: What can I do to make my home quieter? A: Over the years this has become a growing concern. We are all living closer together (lots are smaller, homes closer together, more street noise), people live with extended families (dual living arrangements) and our entertainment is getting louder (pets, video games, music/movies, people talking, etc.). I don’t think the construction industry has done a very good job in developing simple solutions that are inexpensive that will help make the home quieter. We have found that our Green Building practices have indirectly created a quieter home. Our initial goals in “Building Smart” was to make the home more comfortable and less expensive to operate. To our clients delight, a byproduct is a quieter home. The more we talk about sound abatement techniques with our clients the more they want them. We are very aggressive in pursuing products and techniques that help make a home quieter. What I have found is that is if you live on a busy street that can have an impact on resale value. If you make the home quieter that will improve the home’s value. Systems and techniques applied to minimize street noise are different than minimizes noise from hearing the sound of a toilet flushing from upstairs. We now ask our clients a series of questions about sound abatement. We really want people to think about this. I suggest developing a list of what bothers you. If it is a neighbor’s dog barking or one of your kids playing drums that is a potential concern we want to know. Why? Because, we can help. At times I feel it is a pioneering effort. We have to continue to push the envelope to make our homes better. What makes me happy is when a client is delighted with our efforts. That is the sound I enjoy. Next week I will discuss how we attack street noise. Thank you for reading Ask The Builder and making The Columbian a part of your day. Please submit questions to jon@quailhomes.com Jon can be reached direct at 360.907.5800. Tune into Green Building with Jon Girod on 1550 a.m. on Saturdays at 9 am and 860 am Saturdays at 1 pm. See you next week!