Ask Slashdot: Cost Effective Way To Soundproof My Home?

An anonymous reader writes: As more and more people live closer together in tightly packed subdivisions, the mental stress of noise becomes a serious issue. Noise nuisance complaints are on the rise, litigation increasing. We try to tune it out, yet the stress it causes is still present, and there's seemingly no way around it." Six months ago a new neighbor moved in next door who has two dogs, one of which barks incessantly with a high pitched yip that is driving my wife crazy and making it difficult for me to read or work on the computer. I've already talked to my neighbor and he will bring the dog inside but three days later it starts again. What is a cost effective technical solution to knock 10 or 20 dB off the exterior noise? soundproof windows, an interior acoustic blanket,a sound blocking fence, a sound absorbing fence, planting foliage or noise cancelling headphones, or something else. I'm sure I'm not the first slashdotter to have this problem. What has worked for you?

Comments

neighbor

[greenfruitsalad]

what worked for me was getting rid of THAT neighbor.

Re:neighbor

[wisnoskij]

With a sound proofed house, "getting rid of the neighbor" is even easier.

Re:Get an anti bark device

[sunderland56]

Both Smith & Wesson and Glock make excellent anti-bark devices.

Thanks for all the answers, guys!

[Anonymous Coward]

Thanks for all the answers, guys!

Now I have a follow-up question; What would be a cost effective way of digging a well inside my basement, for added storage space.

Also; does anybody know where to get cheap skin lotion?

Re:Overall sound-reducing strategy...

[dgatwood]

In other words, build a soundproof box around the dog.

Easiest way

[tgrigsby]

You guys are so funny with your various poisons, sound proofing techniques, intimidation and legal maneuvering. All you need is peanut butter. I guarantee that dog will be gumming a golf-ball sized ball of peanut butter for at least 15 minutes straight, and once it's done getting all the peanut butter out of its mouth, it will be too tired to bark. Works every time.

.22LR

[Macdude]

A .22LR will do the trick, or if it's a particularly large dog a .38.