How to Soundproof Walls and Floors – Is Adding Mass the Answer?

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By Gravalar

Architects, engineers, and planners need to consider soundproofing. So, if they want to design a building, such as a residential building, office, or hotel, they must consider soundproofing.

For instance, a guest might like a hotel because it is luxurious and clean. However, if the guest hears everything from the floors and rooms around them, they may not return to the hotel.

One of the most common causes of neighbourly disputes is noise complaints. It is, therefore, crucial to making sure that there is adequate soundproofing from neighbouring homes and external noises, including traffic from the busy road. It showcases the importance of acoustics in architecture.

Do you want to soundproof your walls? You can use the following methods to soundproof your walls. You may, however, need to install some methods during construction. Thankfully, you can retrofit some methods to your existing building.

Noise requirements keep changing every year. That is why some buildings are more soundproofed. However, if your building is not soundproofed and you have to cope with barking dogs or noisy neighbours, then you may need to soundproof your building.

Soundproofing your walls can restore some harmony and peace to your family’s life. Here is how to soundproof your walls:

Decoupling Your Walls

Decoupling your walls can help prevent sound transmission through your ceilings, floors, and walls.

One of the most effective ways for reducing sound transmission is by decoupling the walls. How? You will just separate two sides of your wall to inhibit vibration transmission and block loud noises from travelling across your wall.

How can you achieve this? You can use staggered stud walls or double stud walls. Decoupling your wall can help reduce the amount of sound that travels across the walls in your home.

Decoupling your walls can, therefore, reduce the noise entering your house.

Sound Damping

What is sound damping? Sound damping absorbs and reduces sound transmission using specific materials. It is easy to dampen the sound in new buildings. How? You can just install dead walls that do not vibrate.

However, one of the best options for both existing and new buildings is cavity wall insulation. If your building was built in the 1930s or after the 1930s, then you can fill your walls. The most popular materials are polystyrene beads, mineral wool, and fibreglass.

A cavity wall insulation offers good sound insulation and heat insulation. It can help lower your heating bills in the long term.

Installing Sound Absorption Products

Installing sound absorption products can help prevent sound from entering your building. It is easy and cheap to install these products.

Sound bounces off hard surfaces, such as concrete, granite, marble, quartz, and glass. You can, therefore, install soft furnishings to reduce unwanted noise.

For example, you can install thick rugs on your tiled or wooden floors. Do not use metal or wooden blinds on your windows. Instead, use thick fabric blinds or thick curtains on your windows. It is also a good idea to look for acoustical curtains.

Adding Mass to Your Floors and Walls

Adding mass to both floors and walls can help decrease sound vibration. If you are a DIY enthusiast or builder, you may need to add mass to the floors and walls for soundproofing.

If you can double the mass per unit area of your panel, you can reduce sound transmission by up to six decibels. That is why adding mass to floors and walls can reduce the sound being transmitted through the floors and walls.

There are so many ways to add mass to floors and walls. So, you will need to consider your needs and budget before you add mass to your floors and walls.