You know the feeling. You’re sitting in your apartment, minding your own business, when all of a sudden…BAM!
Your neighbor slams their door, and your whole place shakes like there’s an earthquake. I don’t know about you, but having my apartment shake rattles my nerves almost as much as the loud noise.
It’s frustrating when someone else’s inconsiderate actions disrupt the sanctuary of home.
If you live in an apartment or condo, chances are you’ve dealt with the earthquake tremors caused by a neighbor slamming doors.
Heck, over 36 million Americans reside in multi-family housing. So if you feel your home vibrating when the neighbors slam their door, you ain’t alone.
But what causes the shaking? And what can you do to stop it? I’m gonna break it down for you…
Why does my apartment shake when my neighbor slams their door?
When your neighbor slams their door with force, it creates a shockwave that travels through the building. This shockwave causes vibrations that make your walls and floors shake, and your whole apartment rattles as a result.
There are a few factors that determine how much your place shakes when they slam their door:
- How hard are they slamming it? The more force they use to shut the door, the stronger the shockwave pulses through the building. If they really whip that door closed with gusto, the vibrations are going to be more intense.
- How old is your building, and what’s it made of? Older buildings and ones made with flimsier materials transmit noise and vibrations more easily. So, if your place is a rickety old wood frame building, you’ll feel the slamming more than in a reinforced concrete high-rise.
- How close is your apartment to their door? Physics 101: The closer the source of the vibrations, the more you’ll feel the shaking. Having your neighbor’s door right on the other side of a shared wall means you’ll get the full force.
- What are your walls made of? Drywall lets sound and vibrations pass through pretty easily. Solid concrete blocks more of the noise. So, if your walls are thin, they’ll shake more than if you have thick, soundproof walls.
- Is noise insulation lacking? Proper insulation between apartments blocks noise and vibration transmission. If the insulation game is weak, you’ll feel more rumbling and rocking.
Now that you know why your apartment shakes and wiggles when your neighbor slams their door, let’s talk about how to fix this annoying problem.
How to talk to your neighbor about slamming doors
Before making any big changes, it’s worth chatting with your neighbor first. The door slamming may be unintentional on their part, or they might not realize it’s disturbing you.
Here are some tips for talking to your neighbor politely about their door-slamming habit:
- Keep it friendly. Don’t go knocking on their door in a huff. You’ll get better results with honey than with vinegar. Frame it as hoping to find a solution you’re both happy with.
- Pick a good time. Don’t interrupt them when they’re rushing out the door (pun intended). Find a weekend afternoon when you can have a calm discussion.
- Explain the impact. Tell them politely about the noise and shaking you experience from the slamming. They probably have no clue it’s bothering you so much.
- Appeal to their interests. The door slamming may be transmitting to other neighbors, too. They likely want to avoid complaints or tension with folks living around them.
- Suggest easy fixes. Recommend quick solutions like installing door cushions or being more conscious about closing the door gently. Offer to split the cost if needed.
- Compromise if necessary. If a medical condition makes it hard for them to close the door softly, try to find a middle ground. Offer to buy a device to limit how far their door can swing open.
- Follow up. Thank them for listening and check in a few days later to see if the door-slamming situation has improved.
Having an open and honest dialogue with your neighbor is the ideal first step. But if that doesn’t solve the issue, then it’s time to take matters into your own hands…
11 fixes to stop your apartment from shaking
If chatting with your neighbor doesn’t put an end to the rattling and shaking caused by their door slamming, there’s still plenty you can do on your own. Here are 11 solutions to stop your apartment from vibrating when they slam the door.
For the neighbor’s door
You can reduce the noise and vibrations right at the source – their door:
- Install door cushions. Cushions prevent the door from loudly slamming shut. They absorb the impact.
- Add a door closer. This hardware regulates the speed at which the door closes for a slow and gentle shut instead of a slam.
- Adjust the hinges. So the door seals tightly but doesn’t shake the walls when closed. It may need some DIY handiwork.
- Lubricate the hinges. So, the door opens and closes more smoothly and quietly. Try a silicone spray lubricant.
- Request they close it gently. If you ask nicely, your neighbor may make an effort to close their door softly manually. It’s worth a shot before spending money!
For your apartment
You can also reduce vibrations on your side by modifying your own unit:
- Add mass-loaded vinyl. This heavy-duty insulation applied to walls dampens noise and blocks shaking.
- Install Green Glue. Applying this damping compound under flooring helps isolate noise.
- Seal cracks and gaps. Stops noise leakage between apartments. Caulk and weatherstrip are your friends here.
- Hang heavy curtains. The more mass on your walls, the less they’ll shake. Thick drapes can help.
- Add foam or tennis balls. Placing these between furniture and walls limits vibration transfer.
Building-wide solutions
If it’s a widespread issue in your complex, lobby for these changes:
- Better insulation. Persuade the landlord to install higher-grade insulation between units.
- Rules against noise. Petition for official quiet hours and slamming door bans.
- Offer to split costs. Propose you and other affected tenants split costs for soundproofing efforts.
With some targeted fixes, you can stop your apartment from rocking and rolling every time your neighbor slams their door. No more jarring rattles interrupting your day. Just peace and quiet.
| Solution | Cost | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Door Cushions | $ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Door Closer | $$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Adjust Hinges | $ | ⭐⭐ |
| Lubricate Hinges | $ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ask Neighbor to Close Gently | Free | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Mass Loaded Vinyl | $$$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Green Glue | $$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Seal Cracks | $ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Heavy Curtains | $$ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Foam or Tennis Balls | $ | ⭐⭐ |
Conclusion
Having your apartment shake and rattle when your neighbor slams their door is no fun. It’s jarring, disruptive, and can make the home feel less like a sanctuary. But with some knowledge of what causes the shaking and a few well-placed fixes, you can stop the tremors for good.
First, try chatting with your neighbor politely. There’s a decent chance they have no idea the slamming bothers you so much. If that doesn’t do the trick, add door cushions, soundproofing, and other vibration-absorbing hacks.
With a little DIY handiwork and community understanding, you can stop the shaking and restore the peaceful enjoyment of your home. No more feeling like you’re caught in an earthquake every time your neighbor comes and goes!
So next time your neighbor’s door slam shakes up your place, you’ll know why it happens and what to do to fix it. Share your stories and solutions in the comments below if you’ve also dealt with the dreaded door slam shaking!
