What Is Flanking Noise? 

🔍 How Does Noise Travel?

While airborne noise flows through open spaces, flanking noise travels through the structure itself. This makes it much harder to detect and block. For example, sound may:

• Pass through timber joists or ceiling beams

• Move along metal studs and connecting wall frames

• Vibrate through pipework or drainage lines

• Spread inside ventilation ducts or HVAC systems

• Leak from floor-to-wall junctions, door frames, or skirting boards

Even without a visible gap, you may still hear noise clearly. That’s because flanking sound transfers as vibration, using dense materials as conduits. As a result, traditional soundproofing often fails to prevent it. In older or shared buildings, the effect is even more noticeable—it may seem like the noise is coming from “everywhere.”

🚪 Where Does this Occur in UK Homes?

Flanking noise is most common in specific building types. Typically, it affects:

• Terraced and semi-detached properties

• Flats converted from single dwellings

• Lofts, basements, or garage conversions

In each of these cases, the building structure creates opportunities for noise to bypass insulation. The most frequent routes include:

🔹 Stud walls and shared party walls
🔹 Ceilings, timber floors, and floor cavities
🔹 Plumbing, pipes, and ventilation shafts
🔹 Skirting boards and wall junctions

Although these paths may appear minor, they can significantly reduce soundproofing effectiveness. Therefore, they require targeted solutions that go beyond basic insulation.

⚠️ Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It

Flanking transmission often goes undiagnosed. However, its impact can be serious. If left untreated, it can:

❌ Undermine the effectiveness of your existing soundproofing
❌ Cause ongoing disturbances from neighbours or outside traffic
❌ Lead to wasted money on ineffective upgrades
❌ Create frustration from not knowing where the noise comes from

Moreover, standard solutions like foam panels or added plasterboard typically fail to address the root cause. This is why expert assessment is so critical.

🛠️ Our Proven Solutions in West Sussex

We take a comprehensive, structural approach to eliminate flanking transmission. Rather than relying on guesswork, we use advanced tools and tested methods:

✅ 1. Detect Hidden Flanking Paths
First, we perform a detailed acoustic survey. This allows us to identify every structure-borne vibration route that sound might be using.

✅ 2. Install Acoustic Break Systems
Once we’ve mapped the problem, we install decoupling systems such as resilient bars, floating layers, or suspended frames. These create acoustic breaks that block vibration.

✅ 3. Seal Cracks and Structural Gaps
We then apply acoustic sealants, backer rods, and mass-loaded vinyl to junctions, wall joints, and gaps where noise may leak through.

✅ 4. Reinforce Floors and Ceilings
For vertically travelling sound, we may upgrade your subfloors, add impact-reducing underlays, or install acoustic ceiling rafts.

Importantly, every solution is tailored. We don’t use off-the-shelf fixes—your building gets a custom-designed plan to ensure maximum noise reduction.

🌍 Areas We Cover in West Sussex

Our expert services are available in:

• Brighton

• Hove

• Worthing

• Eastbourne

• Crawley

• Lewes

• Chichester

• And surrounding villages and rural areas

Regardless of your property type—flat, home office, semi-detached house, or studio—we deliver professional soundproofing with minimal disruption. Additionally, we offer free consultations to help you get started.

📞 Book Your Free Assessment Today

Still hearing noise despite having insulated your property? You’re not alone. Flanking noise affects thousands of UK homes—and without expert help, it often goes unresolved.

Fortunately, we’re here to fix that. Our experienced team can assess your property, identify hidden flanking routes, and recommend a long-term, cost-effective solution. You’ll finally enjoy the peace and quiet you’ve been looking for.

👉 Contact West Sussex Soundproofing now to book your free flanking noise assessment and take the first step toward a quieter home.