The Best Methods to Effectively Soundproof Walls

Whether you are sound insulating party walls or stud walls these tried and tested solutions will restore quiet in your home. Noisestop Systems has been providing noise reduction solutions to homes throughout the UK for many years and over that period we have constantly evolved our product range to meet the demands of modern living. In this wall soundproofing guide, we will show you the most effective methods to soundproof your walls.

Adding mass/density enhancing sound absorption and decoupling is essential when soundproofing walls

Achieve the very best soundproofing results by following these essential soundproofing rules. Adding mass/density to the area, isolating or decoupling the new structure from the existing and increasing sound absorption. These rules of soundproofing apply whether you are attempting to soundproof a stud wall or solid brick walls. Increasing mass makes it harder for the sound to transfer. A variety of high-mass products will block a great range of sounds. Decoupling the structure will reduce sound as it vibrates through a solid structure. Increasing absorption allows the wall to absorb the sound energy. These soundproofing principles are built into the design and specification of our wall soundproofing products and systems.

Soundproofing walls against the two main sound types, airborne and vibration involve different techniques and materials

Airborne Soundproofing (conversation and TV noise)

• Adding Mass: Use dense materials like mass-loaded vinyl, soundproof panels and acoustic insulation to add mass to the walls.
• Decoupling: Use AcoustiClip isolation clips to separate the existing wall from the soundproof wall.
• Sound Absorption: Soundproof panels which have soundproof membranes applied and acoustic insulation increase the sound absorption of the wall.
• Sealing Gaps: Seal any gaps, cracks, or holes in the walls. Use acoustic sealants around plasterboard edges.

Vibration Soundproofing (sounds vibrate as they pass through solid structures)

• Decoupling: The key to reducing vibration sound, use AcoustiClips to decouple and isolate walls from the new soundproof wall.
• Sound Absorption: Soundproof panels which have soundproof membranes applied, and acoustic insulation increase the sound absorption of the wall
• Sound Damping: Adding mass to surfaces and using damping materials like mass loaded vinyl absorbs vibrations.

Soundproof Systems: Combining products to form a soundproof system such as adding mass, decoupling, and absorption material creates more effective soundproofing against both types of sound.

What are the best options for soundproofing a wall against noisy neighbours?

As this is the number one noise complaint we deal with, we thought this was the best place to start.

As soundproof systems are the best way to soundproof walls, here are our recommended systems for noisy neighbour soundproofing.

Recommended Party Wall Soundproof Systems

These systems are supplied as complete kits with all the materials needed to soundproof your walls effectively. Each system has a slightly different product combination, which alters the room’s overall noise reduction and space loss.

Recommended Party Wall Soundproof Panels

If you need to keep space loss to a minimum, these soundproof panels are an excellent choice. Soundproof walls against everyday household noises, including conversation and background TV noise, with slim direct to wall acoustic panels.

Increase the privacy in your home by soundproofing internal stud walls

Most homes are divided using timber or metal stud frames to form separate rooms. These walls are often constructed of lightweight materials, often with little or no insulation inside the cavity and a standard sheet of plasterboard on either side. This construction method allows sound to be easily transferred between rooms. Improving the noise reduction performance of stud walls is similar to methods used to insulate brick party walls acoustically.

Product combinations will significantly improve the sound insulation of stud walls. Infilling the cavity with acoustic insulation stops sound reverberation that occurs. The extra mass provided by soundproof panels and the insulation greatly reduces airborne sound transfer. Using the AcoustiClip system will isolate the stud frame from the new soundproof wall absorbing the vibration sounds that normally vibrate through the stud frame.

Recommended Stud Wall Systems

These stud wall soundproof systems combine the best acoustic products to ensure you increase the privacy in your home.

Recommended Stud Wall Soundproof Panels

What are the best products for soundproofing walls?

The most effective soundproofing is achieved when you combine products in a way that blocks and absorbs as much of the energy from sound as possible. The best product combination that ensures noise reduction for all types of walls is the materials supplied in our AcoustiClip wall systems. These include the AcoustiClip, a sound and vibration-absorbing clip, and acoustic insulation slabs for mass and absorption. The Noisestop 1 Plus Panel incorporates acoustic plasterboard and mass loaded vinyl for density and absorption, a layer of acoustic plasterboard 15mm, which is denser than standard plasterboard and finally, acoustic sealants to seal edges acoustically and the perimeter of the walls.

Things to consider when planning to soundproof your walls

Other than the main soundproofing you apply to your walls to reduce sound transfer, there are other things you should consider when preparing to sound insulate a wall.

Flanking sound

The term is used for sound that bypasses the separating structure, in this case, your wall and finds an alternative route between rooms. One of the most common flanking paths in a building is the floor/ceiling cavity between joists. It is not always possible to establish if the sound is flanking in these areas, but it would be more likely if your floor joists are fitted into the wall you share with the neighbouring property. To check if this is the case, you must look at the floorboards to see which direction they run. If the flooring is running into the wall, the floor joists will unlikely be shared as they would be installed perpendicular to the boards. If the boards run in the same direction as the wall, your joists will be sitting on the party wall. If this is the case, it would be more likely for sound to flank through this area.

Resolving the issue of this type of flanking sound is normally achieved using acoustic insulation fitted under the floorboards. The insulation is used to fill the cavity of the joists up against the party wall coming back approximately 600mm. Filling this small area will act as a plug and reduce sound transfer.

Electrical outlets

Plug sockets and TV aerials can be reinstated once you have installed your soundproofing. Use acoustic putty pads inside the recessed socket box if you do not want to surface mount electrical back boxes. The putty pads mould into the back box, ensuring the acoustic integrity of the wall.

Isolating new walls from the rest of the building

If installing new walls, reduce direct sound transfer through the wall to the rest of the building using an isolation strip between the wall and the rest of the building. Isolation strips are placed between the edge of the stud frame or below breeze blocks to decouple them from the rest of the building structure. We recommend decoupling the frame with isolation strips when fitting an acoustic stud wall.

Soundproofing Accessories

Soundproofing Walls FAQs

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