Sound Proofing Help for Domestic Party Walls
Loud noise is always a problem that can be heard through floors 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 noises such as normal speech, normal television/radio volumes should not be heard and the current regulations for noise control through separating walls have been introduced to stop this type of noise.
If you are experiencing any of the above noise problems, we can offer sound insulating materials that will offer a solution. 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.
A thin Solution
The easiest and best method of sound insulating a party wall is to use our Acousticel M20AD which is a recycled product designed specifically to give a good level of sound reduction through any wall with the 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. M20AD insulation is easily cut and is simply bonded to the wall with our adhesive with two layers of 12.5mm plasterboard glued on top. If our high density Acoustic Plasterboard is used, the sound reduction will be even more enhanced.
A link to more detailed application instructions can be found on our 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 our M20AD solution will normally bring 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 us for more details.
Other Solutions
A more traditional method of sound proofing party walls is to install timber studs approx 12mm away from the existing wall. The voids between are infilled with our
Acoustic Quilt or Acoustic Mineral Wool of sufficient thickness followed by our 2mm SBM5 sound barrier mat stapled top the studs.
Finally, our Resilient Bars should be screwed through the SBM5 and into the stud followed by two layers of plasterboard screwed to the bars. This method is as efficient as the M20AD solution and will perform better at reducing low frequency noise nuisance 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 walls and you can afford to lose the additional space necessary.
Acoustic Mineral Wool is a non-flammable product designed to a density to 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. Our Acoustic Quilt performs 4 times better than the mineral wool and would be the prefered option.
Resilient Bars provide a flexible link between plasterboard and the substrate to which it is applied. Resilient Bars are most useful when installed onto timber stud prior to the Acoustic Plasterboard, which is screwed to the bars and also beneath timber joists to improve the sound insulation of separating ceilings.
SBM5 Soundproofing and Barrier Mat is perhaps the most versatile product within our range. This mineral loaded product has a high mass for minimum thickness which is equal to that of 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.