It’s time to address the elephant in the room.
We know when a buyer hears the word “townhome,” one of the first things that comes to mind is the shared wall. That can feel daunting when all anyone ever wants is a quiet, private, and safe home. Grenadier Homes understands this and has been in the industry long enough (34 years to be exact) to know what it takes to create a quiet environment for your enjoyment. In this article, we will tackle the top three areas of concern when it comes to a shared wall and dispel the misconceptions that may be stopping you from moving forward with one of your smartest decisions yet.
1. Noise: How Grenadier Homes Keeps Your Townhome Peacefully Quiet
One of the main concerns for anyone looking to purchase a home is noise.
- “Will my neighbor be noisy?”
- “What if I have kids and don’t want to be labeled ‘the noisy neighbor?’”
- “Will I hear the neighbor’s TV late at night?”
At Grenadier Homes, the construction of our shared walls succeeds in providing a noise barrier for your ease and comfort. We construct our homes with a two-foot-thick shared wall—one foot belonging to each townhome. A major component of this shared wall is the one inch air gap between the firewall and the studs. This air gap, along with the insulation, disrupts vibrations passing through one wall into the other. Take a look at this video below to learn more about the air gap.
Grenadier Homes: The Science Behind the Air Gap
Along with the air gap, the firewalls in our homes act as an effective sound barrier as well. In the assembly of our shared walls, we achieve a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating above 61, surpassing the International Building Code’s minimum of STC 50 for multifamily construction (NGC Testing Services). With these elements, a Grenadier shared wall can make interior noise levels lower than in a detached home, which typically has less insulation and more exposure to outside noise.
Marcus, a Grenadier homeowner who purchased one of our townhomes in 2023, has been in the construction business since 1971. When sharing his experience with the noise level of his townhome, he noted: “With the shared wall acting as a sound barrier, you don’t hear any sound from your neighbors… it’s our little sanctuary here.” With our years of expertise and commitment to quality construction, you can trust that noise transfer will not be a concern in your new Grenadier townhome or villa.
2. Safety: Built-In Fire Protection and Structural Strength You Can Trust
It can be tough imagining what types of disasters could affect your home. With recent extreme weather events or fears of fire, it can be unsettling. Grenadier Homes takes the safety of its homeowners seriously, and that commitment is reflected in how we design and build our shared wall.
Each shared wall contains two durable fiberglass mat firewalls, each rated for one hour burn time and reinforced with burn clips. Firewalls extend from the top of your foundation to your roof. The firewalls used in our homes boast an A1 fire classification, which is the highest possible fire safety rating for building materials (NGC Testing Services).
Key safety features include:
- Double Fiberglass mat firewalls – rated for one-hour burn time for added protection.
- Aluminum burn clips – melt during a fire, allowing the firewall to separate from the framing of the buring unit and preserve the integrity of the adjacent home.
- Firewall design – acts as a protective barrier, preventing fire from spreading to your living space.
- Sprinkler system in each townhome – provides an additional layer of safety and peace of mind.
- Rigorous fire inspection – before insulation and sheetrock are installed, ensuring our firewalls and sprinkler systems surpass code.
Click the video link below to see this construction in action.
Grenadier Homes: Shared Wall Components
When Marcus was visiting our homesites and construction when he was considering us in his home search, he initially thought of us as a Texas chain builder, which gave him cause for concern. However, as he walked through our construction, he was flabbergasted at the “high quality of lumber” we used and the “level of workmanship” he witnessed in our framework.
The higher-grade firewall we choose to install in our homes along with the diligence in execution ensures that your shared wall provides exceptional fire protection and structural integrity, quieting any concerns you may have regarding the safety of a Grenadier townhome or villa.
3. Light: Bright, Open Townhomes Designed to Feel Spacious and Airy
When a shared wall is present, logistically, there is a loss of opportunity for windows. This loss can make a space feel closed in and dark. However, our award-winning architects and designers use years of experience and thoughtful techniques to make sure our townhomes – both interior and exterior units – feel light, spacious, and open.
To maximize natural light and create a sense of openness, we incorporate:
- Taller ceilings that enhance volume and brightness.
- Efficient window placement to bring in as much light as possible.
- Open floor concept layouts that promote flow and visibility throughout the home.
With the design and execution of our “right-sized” homes, our floorplans are not deep enough to experience “dead zones” – a common issue in deeper single-family layouts.
Our VP of Construction Operations, Robert Swegler, explains:
“We install 8-foot-tall glass doors and add sidelights adjacent to these doors when we can. Both illuminate a space tremendously.”
Head of Design Kathy Costa adds:
“We put the biggest windows possible in to let lots of natural light… You will see lots of high windows too in our homes. This will maximize natural light without compromising livable space or privacy.”
Homeowner and longtime builder Marcus echoes the intentional thought process:
“How they use the space up above and the window sizes alone, it is just really great design.”
Vaulted Ceiling and Expansive Windows at Cottonwood Creek
8-Foot Tall Glass Door with Adjacent Sidelight at Willow Grove
Vaulted Ceilings and Expansive Windows at Woodbridge Townhomes
Grenadier Homes’ expert design guarantees your townhome feels expansive and bright, so the shared wall never stands in your way of comfort or style.
Bonus Feature: Increased Energy Efficiency
A major benefit of a shared wall is that it is not exposed to varying weather elements, creating a more controlled environment that helps stabilize your energy-use. The construction of a Grenadier shared wall – a two feet thick wall consisting of firewall, air gap, R-13 level of insulation, studs, and drywall – acts as an extra barrier against heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.
Going above and beyond, we partner with US-EcoLogic, the largest provider of energy efficiency and green building services for single and multifamily developers in the world. They inspect every home three times during the Grenadier build process:
- Polyseal inspection: guarantees the home has been properly sealed to prevent air leaks.
- Insulation inspection: ensures our insulation meets the correct R-values.
- Final energy walk: at the end of construction, confirms the home performs as designed for energy efficiency.
Our commitment to energy efficiency through construction and multiple inspections aims to maximize your energy efficiency, enhance your comfort, and give you more spending power month over month.
Grenadier Homes understands that previous experience with other townhome builders may have left buyers thinking townhomes are noisy, unsafe, and dark. We do things differently here. With the meticulously engineered and executed shared walls, providing two feet of sound abatement, fire protection, and energy efficiency, we set a new standard for townhomes, changing the narrative of townhomes, one homeowner at a time.
See the difference yourself by visiting one of our communities in the DFW metroplex.
Frequently Asked Questions About Townhomes and Shared Walls
- Are townhomes noisy because of shared walls?
No. Grenadier Homes’ shared walls are two feet thick with insulation, air gaps, and dual firewalls rated above STC 61, designed to form a noise barrier between homes. Most homeowners find their Grenadier townhomes quieter than traditional single-family homes.
- Are shared walls safe in case of a fire?
Yes. Each Grenadier townhome includes dual fiberglass firewalls rated for one-hour burn time and an A1 fire classification, plus an individual sprinkler system. These features prevent fire from spreading between units and protect your home’s structure.
- Do townhomes feel dark or closed in because of fewer windows?
Not in a Grenadier townhome. Our architects use design with tall ceilings, 8-foot glass doors, sidelights, and large windows to fill each space with natural light and create a bright, open feel – even for interior units.
- Do shared walls help with energy efficiency?
Yes. A shared wall reduces exposure to outdoor elements, stabilizing indoor temperatures. Grenadier Homes uses R-13 insulation and triple inspections by US-EcoLogic to ensure top-tier energy efficiency, lower utility bills, and greater comfort year-round.
- How private are townhomes compared to single-family homes?
Grenadier townhomes are designed for quiet, private, and secure living. Each home features sound abatement construction, independent safety systems, and thoughtful layouts, offering similar comfort and privacy as a single-family home with less maintenance.
