[asdlfj2sd33]

I can't stand noise as well, but I've always taken it for granted that it is my job to stop noise from entering my home. I am always surprised by people who also hate noise, but don't seem to think a lot about sound proofing, they are more like defenseless victims of noise form the outside world.

[KevinMS]

I'm a victim because I prefer to be able to open my windows or sit outside?

I'm a victim because I can't sleep through the sound of landscapers early in the morning, even with the widows closed?

[asdlfj2sd33]

Landscapers have been a problem for me absolutely everywhere I've lived. I have two choices, rid the world of early morning landscapers or sound proof the house, starting with better windows.

[KevinMS]

Or local laws can be written and enforced about noise pollution early in the morning. Probably not that different from regulations that don't let your neighbors put a noisy windmill on their roof.

I remember a long time ago the town where my dad lived was going to build an animal shelter with an outdoor fenced in area for dogs, which would result in nonstop barking. The neighborhood got together and put a stop to that. Sounds like you would have told them all to just buy better windows and stop being victims.

[mhb]

Do you see no limit to the externalities which may be imposed so that some people can make more money? Landscapers would be using gas-powered nose hair trimmers if it saved them a few seconds.

Do you think that the solution to the stink from the new pig farm next door to you is appropriately handled by you installing year-round filtered air conditioning?

[rdouble]

Soundproofing is very expensive and might be impossible depending on the noise, the construction of the house and whether or not you own or rent. If possible it's almost always preferable to simply not have the noise in the first place.

An apartment where I lived in Manhattan had unbearable noise. The bill for installing soundproof windows would have been $1800 and wouldn't block any of the low frequency noise from a nearby bar, so I moved to a quiet street in Brooklyn...