Blocking Sound Through the Walls
As the largest point of connection to your neighbor , your bulwark are a major rootage of neighbor noise .
Fortunately , they ’re also one of the easiest things to fix when it number to heavy contagion . countenance ’s start by look at a flavor at how walls are manufacture , so we can see why noise is fetch through and how we can block up it .
When contractors are building apartment or townhomes to sell , they ’re generally attempt to keep construction costs as down as possible . To do this , they ’ll often reconstruct walls in the cheapest direction potential , with share walls containing nothing more than some 2x4 studs with a layer of wallboard on either side . In some buildings , they may add a layer of fiberglass batt detachment to help with noise and temperature control .
Luckily , there are many agency to improve the STC rating on your wall and help occlude more sound . The quickest and cheapest result is to add a individual level of veritable 5/8 " wallboard over your exist walls . Simply have a go at it it in place so that it bond to the wood stud . This second sheet of drywall will increase the STC rating of your rampart by about 10 tip [ source : Guardian ] .
For more extreme noise situations , try on QuietRock . This wallboard product uses particular applied science that keeps sound waves from penetrating your walls . It has the same fire - insubordinate capabilities as even drywall , but by adding just a single stratum to your exist walls , you could take your STC rating up to an norm of 58 . Add two layer , and your wall will be around STC 80 . At that stage , your neighbor could start a rock band in their domicile and you ’d barely notice [ source : Quiet Solution ] .
Finally , if you ’d like to reduce speech sound without adding drywall , consider hanging panel wrapped in material . One of the most popular mathematical product for blocking auditory sensation in apartments is called Homasote . It ’s a lightweight composite product made of recycled newspapers and cellulose fibers . By roll Homasote panels in a dainty fabric , you may thin out the randomness coming through your wall by about 20 percent , while adding to your dwelling house ’s décor [ seed : Homasote ] .
Of course , your walls are n’t the only paths that noise can take to your home . Read on to the next incision to learn how to block noise from upstairs neighbor , as well as how to soundproof your door and window .
