Sound Proofing a Wall
Help for Domestic Party Walls
Noise is always a problem that can be heard through party walls of flats and houses and is always more of a nuisance when there is no background noise to help mask it within your own home. However, everyday noise such as normal speech, normal television/radio volumes should not easily be heard and the current regulations for noise control through party walls have been introduced to reduce this type of noise.
If you are experiencing any of the above noise problems, we can offer sound insulating materials that will reduce your noise nuisance. Before remedial procedures are undertaken, it needs to be determined what type of noise is being experienced. Is it airborne or impact? Airborne noise is the type emitted by speech or music. Impact noise is as it suggests, noise created by footfalls, doors closing and so on. Impact noise is usually structural borne sound that is transmitted along walls or floors whereas airborne sound actually penetrates these dividing structures. Impact noise is more difficult to address because much of this type of noise is transmitted through the fabric of the building so soundproofing a party wall to reduce noise from doors slamming on the other side may not give you the sound reduction sought. However, the following acoustic solutions are available and the thicker solution will give a greater reduction in low frequency noise as experienced from some stereo systems.
A thin Solution
The easiest method of sound insulating a party wall is to use Acousticel M20AD. This is a recycled product designed specifically to give a good level of sound reduction through any wall with a minimum increase in wall thickness. M20AD is more effective when applied to single skin walls such as brick, lightweight blocks or stud partitions because these all allow unacceptable levels of noise through them much more easily. M20AD insulation is easily cut and is simply bonded to the wall with our Sta-Put adhesive with two layers of 12.5mm Acoustic Plasterboard glued on top. A link to more detailed application instructions can be found on the M20AD page. This solution will significantly improve the sound insulation of any wall and if properly applied, should insulate the wall against normal every day sounds such as speech and television noise. Loud noise and low frequency noise are always the most difficult to insulate against and are usually impossible to eradicate completely, particularly at night.
However, using our sound insulation, these noises will be reduced in intensity. Independent testing showed the M20AD solution would normally improve the insulation value of a single skin masonry wall from approx 45dB up to 56dB. This is a staggering 11dB reduction in noise transmitted directly through the wall!
Acousticel M20AD is designed to reduce airborne noise through walls. Particularly effective on lightweight walls such as single skin masonry or stud partitions. M20AD is easy to install and cut when necessary with a jigsaw. No specialist knowledge is required and every order is supplied with full application instructions which can also be printed off from this web site. A thinner 10mm thick version of this material is also used as an isolation strip for studwork. Call for more details. If your noise nuisance is predominantly a low frequency noise problem then the thicker system described below for soundproofing a wall will give better results.
A thicker solution
Click here to download our brief PDF pictorial guide for soundproofing a wall with our core products.
A more traditional method of sound proofing a party wall is to install timber studs approx 25mm or further away from the existing wall. The voids between are infilled with SoundBlocker Quilt or Acoustic Mineral Wool of sufficient thickness followed by Resilient Bars that should be screwed across the uprights followed by two layers of Acoustic Plasterboard screwed to the bars. To enhance the sound reducing properties of this wall, SBM5 Sound Barrier Mat should be sandwiched between the two layers of plasterboard.
This method is as efficient as the M20AD solution and will perform better at reducing low frequency noise nuisance through a wall but of course, it will take up more space.
If space is not an issue and you are looking for the maximum reduction possible of noise nuisance through a wall, the above stud system can be further improved if a layer of our 20mm M20AD is glued to the plasterboard with another two layers of our Acoustic Plasterboard glued on top.
This is the best system for all low frequency noise problems through party walls and you can afford to lose the additional space necessary.
Acoustic Mineral Wool is a non-flammable product produced to a density that will give maximum sound absorption. This product is essential for application into stud wall partitions, between roof rafters and between the joists in timber suspended floors. Available in a variety of thicknesses, Acoustic Mineral Wool enhances the sound insulating performance of any structure in which it is installed and is particularly efficient when used as the acoustic infil for stud walls when constructed to soundproof a party wall. SoundBlocker Quilt performs 4 times better than normal mineral wool and is the preferred insulation used by installers.
Resilient Bars provide a flexible link between plasterboard and the timber stud to which it is applied. Resilient Bars are most useful when installed onto timber stud prior to Acoustic Plasterboard, which is screwed to the bars.
SBM5 Sound Barrier Mat is perhaps the most versatile product within our range. This mineral loaded product has a high mass for minimum thickness which is similar to lead. SBM5 can be used to substantially enhance the sound insulation qualities of plasterboard when sandwiched between two layers. This 'deadsheet' is an excellent anti-drumming material and is also used to improve the sound insulation factor of separating floors.