How can I minimise sound coming from neighbour?

[DolceVita]

My neighbour’s home is situated almost directly in front of our home. From my bedrooms it is less than 2 metres to the fence and then probably 3 metres to their patio. 

The new tenant has a terrible cough, and sits outside coughing all night - at least until 3 or so. The coughing is very loud and hacking. I feel for them because they are obviously chronically unwell but it’s right near our bedrooms and my kids and I are struggling to sleep. The neighbour has nowhere else to really sit outside. 

So my question is - what can I do to minimise the sound? Are there options for outside?

[EricL]

Hello @DolceVita 

Thank you for sharing your question about minimising the sound coming from your neighbour. A quick solution is to install Bastion 1200 x 600 x 30mm XPS Multi Use Foam Board. The foam board can be cut to the size of your window frame and pushed in to fit. It is a temporary measure and can be removed in the morning. Another option is to build a wall in front of your window near the fence. The wall can then be insulated to absorb the majority of the noise from the other side.  

My last suggestion is to offer your new neighbour a pitcher of chilled lemon tea with natural honey. The honey is a natural cough suppressant, and they should be happy getting a treat. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations. 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @DolceVita 

Sounds are louder at night and travel further for sure 😕 Feel for your issue.

All I can think of is for you to have heavier rubber backed curtains in your house, Like a heavy blockout style curtain. I know I prefer to sleep with the window open to let in the breeze but short term wise id go the curtain route. Then if the neighbour is still coughing in a month have a chat with them and like @EricL says take a cold pitcher of honey lemon tea (or hot) I wouldnt even mention the noise of it but just show that you care. They should realise at that point that someone else can hear them coughing is my hope.

Apart from the heavy curtains (I mean the wavy kind, not the pull down kind) the only other thing I could suggest is to move the room about so the head of the bed is further from the window.

Dave