SoundBlocker Membrane Soundproofing Mat

SoundBlocker Membrane has again been specified and supplied to upgrade the soundproofing of ceilings in flats with timber joisted ceilings in Birmingham.  This is because the SoundBlocker soundproofing membrane has superb sound blocking qualities and is particularly effective when sandwiched between two layers of plasterboard.  Because this soundproofing mat is not heavy, it is particularly the preferred choice for upgrading the soundproofing of any ceiling because it is not as heavy as our SBM5 or Tecsound sound barrier mats.  At only 2kg per square metre it can easily be glued to a plasterboard panel before it is screwed to the ceiling sandwiching the soundproofing mat between the first and second layer of plasterboard.  For best results the plasterboard used should be the high density acoustic plasterboard that is decoupled from the ceiling with our 15mm deep Resilient Bars or the more efficient GenieClip System.  For more information on SoundBlocker Membrane go to our web page via this link https://www.keepitquiet.co.uk/acoustic_membrane.html and for information on all of our soundproofing products go to our domestic soundproofing web site www.keepitquiet.co.uk

Soundproofing a Ceiling

Once again our Studio Ceiling soundproofing system has been used for a flat in London to help reduce noise from neighbours above.  Prior to installation, noise from above could clearly be heard because the flat was constructed prior to the current Building Regulations for the control of noise through floors and ceilings so the Studio Ceiling system as described on our domestic web site www.keepitquiet.co.uk was the preferred solution to address the noise from above issue.  The existing ceiling was simply plasterboard so it was easy to take down.  If it had been a lathe and plaster ceiling it is always better to leave it in place because it provides better sound insulation than plasterboard.  With lathe and plaster ceilings all that needs to be done is to install our Thin Ceiling Soundproofing System and more information on this can also be found on our web site.  Now back to the Studio Ceiling System.  To install this the existing plasterboard ceiling has to be removed then our Resilient Bar decoupling system can be screwed across the joists at 400mm centres across the room.  100mm of AMW100 Acoustic Mineral Wool is now cut to be a loose fit between the joists and inserted above the resilient bars that will hold it in place.  It is important the AMW is not fitted tightly because this stiffens the structure making it acoustically less efficient.  Once the AMW100 is in place 15mm Acoustic Plasterboard is screwed to the bars.  It is important that the screws do not come into contact with the joists so to avoid this, mark with pencil the position of the joists and bars on the walls then you can see the correct positioning of where the screws have to go which is between the joists, not on top of them.  Once the first layer has been fixed the second layer can be screwed up but this time with our 1mm SoundBlocker Membrane sound barrier mat sandwiched between the two.  Because it is next to impossible to glue this directly to the ceiling because it is too floppy, cut it to size and glue it to the second layer of plasterboard before screwing it up as one.  Both layers of Acoustic Plasterboard should be fitted with about a 1mm gap between the edge of the plasterboard and the wall.  This gap should be filled with our high density Acoustic Sealant prior to finishing and decorating.  More information including installation instructions can be found on our domestic web site www.keepitquiet.co.uk.

Soundproofing for Walls

Our M20AD soundproofing for walls has again been specified and supplied for an MOD contract.  M20AD is a 20mm thick, high density recycled rubber designed to block and absorb noise.  When applied to any wall with two thicknesses of 15mm Acoustic Plasterboard fixed on top, a good level of noise reduction is achieved with the soundproofing taking up just 50mm of space.  It is because of this the MOD use this product to reduce speech from being heard in adjacent rooms and is ideal for application onto lightweight partitioning that is often used to separate offices.  The M20AD solution can be used to help ensure privacy within any room and is quick and easy to install.  This product is also used to upgrade party walls and will help reduce normal levels of noise that would not normally be expected to be heard.  So this is the ideal acoustic solution for soundproofing a party wall in a domestic situation.  For more information on our M20AD soundproofing for walls, go to our web site www.keepitquiet.co.uk.

or call our sales team on 01993704981

Solutions to soundproof a party wall

Our last article was on soundproofing a party wall and how to address flanking noise around a party wall so now we will go onto the actual soundproofing of a party wall, what can be done and its effectiveness assuming flanking noise is no longer an issue.  First of all, if a party wall contains a chimney breast, because this is fixed directly to the party wall and therefore, most likely directly to the other side, best soundproofing results are not going to be achieved but may still be worthwhile doing what you can to reduce the noise being heard from the other side.  If it is possible to block up the fireplace and totally encapsulate the chimney breast then that will give better results but in our experience, this usually takes up more space than can be spared.  The following will describe what can be done to improve the soundproofing of a party wall and if possible, the same systems can be used to completely surround the chimney breast too.

First ensure the plastered surface of the party wall is sound and that the plaster has not ‘blown’.  This is when the plaster coating has started to part company with the wall and can be tested by tapping the plaster.  If it sounds solid then it is likely to be OK but if it sounds hollow it has blown and will require taking off and replastering before any soundproofing measures take place.  Now, assuming the wall is sound, wall paper has been removed and there is no flaking paint, soundproofing can commence after the skirting boards have been removed and electrical fittings disconnected by a qualified electrician.  The best soundproofing results mean more space will be lost but as compensation, the best is also the cheapest and that is our Studio Wall Soundproofing System that uses timber studs.  For best results, 75 x 50mm studs should be used and fitted 25mm away from the existing wall.  For more information on this, go to our Studio Wall System Installation Instructions that can be found on our web site.  The web address will be at the bottom of this article.

If enough space for an independent soundproofed wall cannot be spared then the studs can be fixed directly to the wall and that will save 25mm.  If this is still too much to lose, then reduce the size of the stud down to 50mm but no less and as a last resort, omit the Resilient Bars but these should only be left out if absolutely necessary.  When space is even more limited, our Thin Wall Soundproofing System can be used and will take up 45 or 50mm of space depending which thickness of Acoustic Plasterboard is used.  Before this system can be installed though, it is essential to ensure the wall is sound because all of the soundproofing layers are glued.  So if there is any doubt about the stability of painted walls, they should be treated with a dilute solution of PVA adhesive in water.  More information on how to install our Thin Wall System can also be found on our web site through the link at the bottom of this article.

Finally, if even 45mm of space cannot be spared, the last option is our Ultra Thin Wall Soundproofing System that uses our QuietPanels will take up only 27.5mm but it must be understood that this system will not stop anywhere near the same amount of noise that the Studio Wall System will.  But it should reduce normal levels of noise that should not be heard but loud noise or low frequency noise such as bass drums will always be heard although their intensity may be reduced.  The Ultra Thin Wall Soundproofing System is useful when there is the close proximity of a window or door so that thicker, more efficient soundproofing solutions cannot be installed.  For more information on the systems mentioned above and Ultra Thin Wall Soundproofing System installation instructions, go to our web site www.keepitquiet.co.uk

Soundproofing a Pump

Noisy domestic pumps is often a problem that is disturbing from small domestic pumps to much larger industrial pumps but the soundproofing solution to reduce the noise from affecting others is basically the same regardless of size.  Noise from small domestic pumps is one of the biggest problems often encountered, because these are usually found in the home moving domestic water either to taps or showers.  These pumps are usually high speed can generate a lot of noise that is easily transmitted around the home by both airborne noise and structure borne noise.  Airborne noise is the type of noise that you can easily hear when you are closer to where the pump is sited whereas structure borne sound is when you can still hear the pump regardless of where you are in the building.  As the term suggests, structure borne sound is when the sound is transmitted through the structure of the building so the building is acting as a conduit.  The same principle of sound travel applies to larger industrial pumps as well.  Now for the solution to reduce the noise from pumps by applying the correct soundproofing materials.  It is important that the correct materials are used to obtain maximum soundproofing performance.

It is best to plan the best position to site any pump before installation which is particularly important with domestic pumps so it can more easily be soundproofed.  A pump that is fitted beneath a bath, in an airing cupboard or similar enclosed space cannot effectively be treated for noise.  Siting in a loft or a large cupboard with lots of space around the pump will be much better and will more easily allow acoustic treatment which will entail the following.

For best results a concrete slab should be used which will contain much of the vibration energy emitted from the pump.  The slab can be a paving slab or a simple patio slab depending on the size of the pump.  For large industrial pumps, a cast concrete slab will be required.  The slab should be isolated from the ground or floor where it is based with an anti-vibration pad.  These are 10mm thick pads produced from recycled rubber and help reduce structure borne sound from travelling through the building.  On top of the slab should be glued another anti-vibration pad with a 12mm ply board glued on top.  The pump can then be mounted on the ply and fixed.  Flexible hose connections should be used to connect the lump to the plumbing which will further reduce flanking noise.  Now all that remains is to enclose the pump within an acoustic enclosure that will help contain the airborne noise.  A minimum of 18mm MDF or ply should be used and constructed as large as possible.  The larger it is the more efficient the soundproofing will be and less likelihood of the pump overheating.  The inside of the enclosure can then be lined with our 32mm SA25FF/B/6 soundproofing foam and that’s it, job done!  Except if ventilation is required, this can be through passive vents, one on each side allowing a throughput of air.  The vents must be created so that there is no direct line of sight into the enclosure and the inside of the vents should also be lined with the soundproofing foam mentioned earlier.   For more information on how to soundproof a pump go to our web page on www.keepitquiet.co.uk.

 

How to soundproof your living space

The following was recently found in the web site business2community.com

“Every day, when you return home, you crave for a peaceful living space where you can spend some quality time. The situation in reality, however, seems to be a far cry from this. Noise seems to be the only constant in your living room. But there are ways in which you can get rid of the disturbing sound and make your living space soundproof. Follow the steps given below for soundproofing your living space.

• Make A Double Wall – If your budget is quite high and you are comfortable with using a few simple tools then you can do it yourself. With the help of a drill machine, you can make a double wall or dropped ceiling. This will, in turn, help in creating an air trap that halts the motion of the sound after striking the second layer. This results in the decrease of density particle and, hence, in the intensity of sound. Also, you can go for insulation as an extra absorber of sound.
• Tile The Floors – Tiled floors, drapes or hardwood often make the intensity of sound lesser by absorbing a large amount of sound. Also, sound is reduced by converting sound energy to heat energy. These materials, if used properly can help in reducing sound to quite an extent.
• Use Foam To Create Artificial Walls – Different types of foam available with various foam manufacturers and other kinds of porous material are very effective in diffusing the sound by decreasing its intensity. You can use Styrofoam and other kinds of fabrics as well. Since these artificial walls are of different kinds, they help in decreasing the intensity of the sound to a great extent. Energy bounces off the wall surfaces decreasing its intensity.
• Place Heavy Structures On Walls – Blocking the excess amount of sound is easily possible with the help of mass. Therefore, you can easily block a good amount of sound by placing bookshelves or other similar structures at the joint walls. The amount of the mass and the porous nature of the walls reduce the intensity of the wave energy.
• Repair All Cracks – While making new structures, you should also concentrate on repairing the cracks and crevices. It is through the cracks and crevices that sound seeps through. Things like baseboards, slits and window panes are the places through which sound usually comes in.
• Caulking – Flexible caulking, weather stripping and foam gaskets are also very effective in reducing the intensity of the sounds if placed strategically in the right location.
• Carpeting – If you want to block the excess amount of sound that the apartment on top of you is making, simply go for carpets with insulating foam. Apart from the above-mentioned method, as already mentioned above, you can go for the false ceiling and wall procedures that will surely help you in reducing sound to a great extent. Also, if possible go for a white sound vibrator. This will help you in generating noise that would probably eliminate any other noise.”

Or you could simply go to Sound Service (Oxford) Ltd. to seek their advice on how to properly soundproof a party wall or floor or soundproof the noise from neighbours above. For more help on our soundproofing products go to our web site www.keepitquiet.co.uk.  More information on soundproofing a room can also be viewed on our web site.

Soundproofing Mats

Soundproofing mats are the preferred choice of many of our customers.  This is because the 2mm thick heavy mats are ideal for helping to soundproof lightweight structures such as stud wall partitions.  When sandwiched between two layers of high density Acoustic Plasterboard, they decouple the mass breaking it up into a sandwich of unequal mass making the panels much more efficient at cutting down noise penetration of the wall.  Go to www.keepitquiet.co.uk for more information on our products.

Hello world!

Hi everyone.  This is our first post to inform you of what we are doing to help all of you with noise problems.  As stockists and suppliers of a wide range of soundproofing materials designed to soundproof walls and floors, we can help you come up with a solution to reduce your noise nuisance.  The domestic side of our web site www.keepitquiet.co.uk will help you decide on the best solution for you with articles on how to soundproof a wall through to how to soundproof a floor, garage or shed.  We can also supply anti-vibration pads to help reduce noise from noisy kitchen equipment such as washing machines, dishwashers and pumps.  We will also keep you up to date on a daily basis whenever possible with latest developments including noise problems and how they have been addressed so keep your eye on this blog.  For more information on our soundproofing products for the home, call us on 01993704981 or go to our web site www.keepitquiet.co.uk.

 

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