Soundproofing materials for walls

Rybnikov Alexey

Soundproofing from the neighbors on the left and right is to fasten materials on the walls with the properties of damping sound vibrations. To protect themselves from noise from the apartment above the floor, the ceiling is also insulated, and laying the material on the floor will help not to disturb the neighbors below.

Modern prefabricated houses are distinguished by good audibility of neighbors through the wall. The thinner the building structures between the living blocks, the better the sound vibrations pass. In order to maintain good neighborly relations, it is advisable to take care of the soundproofing of the walls. In an isolated apartment, the owners lead a familiar lifestyle, do not restrict children in active movements, listen to music, but these sounds do not cause concern to residents of neighboring apartments. Through the wall insulation, the neighbors do not hear the sound of water from the taps, the sound of a working TV, the clatter of a child and the hum of a food processor or a juicer. Noise isolation from neighbors will protect the residents themselves from hearing sounds from the apartment nearby.

Sticking roll sound insulation

What noises interfere with comfortable living?

Common noise phenomena in residential blocks of multi-apartment buildings:

• Noise of shock type. It is transmitted through solid building floors and walls, has a vibrational nature. Examples: stamping, punching, hammering, dropping heavy objects, moving furniture, jumping.
• Noise of air type. Sound vibrations are transmitted through the destruction of walls and ceilings (cracks, crevices), through a window. Examples: barking and meowing of pets, twittering of birds, talking, music, the sound of a working TV, screaming.

Measurement of noise level is carried out by professional devices or household sound level meters.

The principle of operation of the sound level meter:

• The screen displays the indicators of sound vibrations from the receiving membrane, converted into electrical signals.
• On a special scale, the level of current in amperes is estimated, which corresponds to the amplitude of sound vibrations. Standards for permissible noise levels are set out in the sanitary and sanitary-epidemiological rules.

In the daytime, according to the rules, an acceptable noise level from seven in the morning to eleven in the evening is 40 dB, the limit is 55 dB. The permissible threshold for night noise is 40 dB; the recommended threshold is 25 dB.

How to choose soundproofing material for the walls of the apartment?

Materials for the arrangement of the protective system are divided into two types according to their functions:

• absorption of incoming sound waves;
• obstacle to the transmission of sounds into the surrounding space.

Sound insulation selection options depend on the needs and capabilities of the buyer:

• mounting area;
• mounting difficulty;
• cost;
• the volume of work and labor;
• required index of impact noise reduction index, sound insulation coefficients and indices;
• combination of functions: soundproofing products of a separate category combine the functions of noise and sound insulation, waterproofing and thermal insulation.

The following types of soundproofing materials are available for sale:

• self-adhesive fastening bitumen roll materials;
• soundproofing sealants;
• non-combustible mineral wool boards;
• polyurethane foam panels;
• sound-absorbing and vibration-damping mastics;
• cellulose liquid sprayers;
• foam for sound insulation;
• perforated decorative panels;
• sandwich panels ZIPS;
• boards made of coniferous wood fibers;
• glass wool;
• reeds and coconut coir;
• panels of quartz sand and a multilayer cardboard profile;
• acoustic foam rubber.

Laying mineral wool in the frame

For the selection of a soundproofing product, the desired finish is important. Laying is carried out at the preparatory stage of finishing the room, before the installation of decorative wallpaper, panels or finishing coloring.

Soundproofing for wallpaper in a small-sized apartment is performed using frameless technology. For this, thin membranes and substrates of nonwoven materials (non-woven, foamed polyethylene, cork) are used. In the spacious rooms, the wooden crate does not damage the free area. Therefore, the walls are insulated with thick mats of mineral wool in the frame, sewn with drywall, primed and glued wallpaper.

Popular materials for wall soundproofing

Soundproofing the apartment from its neighbors is equipped with products of different composition, size and shape. The most common materials for soundproofing walls are listed below.

EcoSoundIsol

Commodity form - a panel of seven layers of cardboard profile. Composition - quartz sand. With a thickness of 1.3 cm, EcoZvukoizol reduces noise to 38 dB. Installation technology - manual cut with a hacksaw and attachment to glue (composition for drywall).

Foamed polyethylene

Commodity form - roll. Composition - porous polymer. The material is resistant to high temperatures and quickly mounted on the base with glue.

ISOPLAAT

The release form is a plate 1.2 or 2.5 cm thick. Composition - softwood fiber. Properties - air exchange, environmental safety, strength, elasticity, flexible structure. Appointment - protection of walls against air and shock noises to the level of 23 dB. Mounting technology - gluing to the base, after which the finishing is done with any material.

ZIPS

Composition - drywall and sandwich panel made of gypsum fiber and glass wool (or mineral wool). The thickness of the product is from 40 to 130 mm. Fasteners are made using the provided mounting mechanisms, with the laying of an insulating layer on the contact surface of the wall.

ISOTEX

Commodity form - a panel with decorative trimmings in linen or vinyl. Installation technology - cutting with a construction knife and docking spikes with grooves. With a thickness of 1.3 cm, the material reduces noise to 38 dB.

The video in the article demonstrates how sound insulation of walls is done with your own hands.

A wide range of insulation products helps to solve the problem of sound insulation. Stores offer natural and artificial materials, functionally combined with other types of insulation, rolls and panels, mastics and foams. When choosing, read the instructions on the package, compare noise absorption. Evaluate labor and financial costs, operational properties of the material. Please note that the density and thickness of the insulation affect the sound permeability.