How to soundproof a wall reduce the sound of ‘Noisy Neighbours’
Understand how to soundproof a wall. Tired of listening to next doors TV, music and conversation? Would you like to soundproof a wall in your own home? Increase the level of privacy between rooms? Find out what is required to soundproof a wall, and how to install them. Whether you are just looking for peace and quiet, or looking to build a recording studio. These simple solutions ensure your walls are properly sound insulated.
I can hear my neighbours TV through the wall
Reduce airborne sound transferring between rooms through party walls; Living in a terraced or semi-detached property hearing your neighbours going about their daily business can become a major nuisance. People have different levels of noise they are prepared to listen to from an adjoining property. If you can hear television or conversation through your walls there are simple wall soundproofing solutions. The simplest wall soundproofing solution is to increase the mass of the wall area. Blocking sound from passing between the separating walls with dense or heavy materials directly to the wall.
Soundproof a wall without compromising living space
Specialist thin wall soundproofing panels from Noisestop Systems will soundproof your walls without compromising living space.
Thin direct to wall soundproofing panels will soundproof a wall to reduce TV noise, conversation and other normal household noises that shouldn’t normally be heard through your walls.
You don’t have to compromise on living space if you want to soundproof a room, applying direct to wall soundproofing panels will only reduce living space in the room by up to 45mm. If you are looking for a solution to reduce unwanted domestic sounds without loosing valuable living space this type of soundproofing is suitable for use in even the smallest rooms of your home.
The Noisestop2 and Noisestop2+ panels can be applied directly to the wall using plasterboard adhesive. Screw the Noisestop acoustic panel directly to the wall. These panels are quick and easy to install and can be carried out by anyone with a general knowledge of DIY. For more information on soundproofing a wall using this type of thin wall soundproofing product, click here.
Increase the level of sound insulation by combining soundproofing products to stop excessive levels of noise
When you require high levels of soundproofing to stop excessive levels of noise or to soundproof music rooms and home cinema rooms you should use acoustic wall systems. When the level of noise is so high that thinner wall solutions are not sufficient to stop the passage of sound you should consider using different combinations of
products to achieve high levels of noise reduction. Different combinations of products will increase the mass and create separation in the walls structure increasing the level of sound reduction.
Wall insulated with DFM acoustic insulation and soundbreaker bars attached to the stud work.
Product Combinations
- DFM acoustic insulation
- Soundbreaker bars
- Noisestop1+ wall panels
- Acoustic plasterboard
- Acoustic sealant
If you are looking for the best method of soundproofing for your walls and you can afford to lose up to 100mm of space in the room building a false wall will reduce high levels of noise. Acoustic false walls are successfully used inside music studios to reduce high noise levels generated by amplified music. If you have a neighbour that is producing levels of noise that is anti-social or late at night you should consider this form of soundproofing to reduce the noise and claim back the peace and quiet in your home.
We provide two ready made solutions to reduce noise generated by noisy neighbours that can be used to soundproof your party wall. Wall System1 and Wall System 2. Wall System 1 will reduce living space by up to 95mm. if you can utilise Wall System 1 in your home this would be our recommended solution for party wall soundproofing for ‘NOISY NEIGHBOURS’. If you need a thinner solution Wall System 2 will only reduce living space by 50mm, but still offer good levels of sound insulation.
Attach Soundbreaker Bars with the pre-dilled holes at the bottom. Use dry wall screws to fix them in place, space the bars at 600mm centres. Attach plasterboard or wall soundproofing panels to the bars using dry wall screws.
Soundproofing a wall with a chimney breast and alcoves
Properties of a certain age were built with a chimney breast as part of the party wall. The chimney creates alcoves either side of the chimney. It is a common problem for sound to transfer from one property to another through walls constructed this way.
Do I need to soundproof the whole wall or can I just soundproof the alcoves?
It is common practice to only soundproof the alcoves with this type of wall construction; you do not normally need to take the soundproofing across the front of the chimney breast. Soundproofing the alcoves will block the sound from TVs that have been placed inside the alcove on the other side. Direct to wall soundproofing panels are used to reduce airborne noise. For higher levels of soundproofing you should consider using the wall systems.
Soundproofing walls to reduce noise within my own home
Most homes have rooms that are separated by a light weight stud or breeze block walls dividing the rooms, noise can easily pass between rooms through this type of construction if they are not built with sufficient density or separation.
Improve the sound insulation of breeze block walls by adding mass to the wall. Installing thin direct to wall panels will increase mass to the area. Alternatively use one of the acoustic wall systems if you have more living space. Acoustic walls also offer higher levels of soundproofing.
Increase the sound insulation of party walls by applying direct to wall panels to the wall. For a higher level of noise reduction use a combination of acoustic insulation, soundbreaker bars, acoustic plasterboard and the thin Noisestop 1+ wall panel.
Remove the plasterboard from one side of the wall and insulate the existing stud wall. Fill the cavity with DFM acoustic insulation. Attach soundbreaker bars to the stud and hang acoustic plasterboard or soundproofing panels form the bars to complete the installation. This method will greatly increase the sound reduction between the rooms, increasing the privacy in your home. To find out more about soundproofing stud walls, click here.
Flanking noise
Flanking noise is sound transferring over or under a wall through the floor and ceiling voids. It is not every property that suffers from flanking noise. You should consider treatment for this problem if you are considering soundproofing your walls.
Reduce flanking noise by using acoustic insulation placed inside the floor and ceiling cavities. Do not fill the entire area, insulating up against the wall, coming back two feet into the room should be sufficient. Fill the void with DFM acoustic insulation 100mm80kg/m³, cut the slabs to fit until you have filled the cavity. This should be enough to block and absorb noise transferring through this area.
Help and advice
We hope that this how to article has been of some help, if you require any more help or assistance please contact us to discuss your requirements. If you would like to speak to an adviser please give us a call. We are happy happy to discuss your options. For more helpful how to guides please read the following articles, how to soundproof a party wall and how to soundproof a stud wall.