Materials and technologies for soundproofing walls Automatic translate

Soundproofing, or acoustic insulation, refers to the use of materials and construction techniques to reduce the transmission of sound between rooms. The goal is to create a quieter environment by either blocking or absorbing sound waves.

The effectiveness of soundproofing depends on factors such as the type of noise (airborne or impact), the source of the noise, and the specific environment that needs to be soundproofed. Considering the prices for soundproofing walls , it is better to approach this problem in the company of professionals or armed with all the necessary knowledge.

Sound insulation is aimed at eliminating two main types of noise: airborne and impact. Airborne noise, such as voices or music, travels through the air and can be reduced by adding mass, decoupling structures, or damping. Impact noise, such as footsteps or equipment vibration, is transmitted through structures and is usually eliminated using vibration-absorbing materials.

Sound, which is a mechanical wave, travels through various media, including air and solids. Airborne sound hitting a wall causes vibrations in the wall structure. These vibrations travel through the wall material and are re-radiated as airborne sound on the opposite side. This process, called flanking transmission, underlies the principles of soundproofing.

Basic materials for sound insulation

Several materials are usually used to soundproof walls. Each of them has its own unique properties and scope of application:

Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) : A flexible, dense material that adds significant mass to walls, blocking sound transmission. MLV is versatile and can be installed on existing walls as well as new structures. MLV effectively reduces sound transmission, especially at low frequencies.

Acoustic panels : Made from materials such as fiberglass or foam, acoustic panels absorb sound waves, reducing echo and reverberation. They are more effective at improving the sound quality of a room rather than blocking noise from getting in or out.

Drywall : Specialized soundproofing drywall, often containing viscoelastic compounds, can add mass and damping. Installing multiple layers of drywall using Green Glue, a viscoelastic compound, further improves sound insulation by converting sound energy into heat.

Insulation : Fiberglass, rock wool and cellulose are common insulation materials that can be installed in wall cavities to absorb sound. Although they are not very effective on their own, they enhance the effect of other soundproofing materials.

Acoustic foam , characterized by its open-cell structure, finds application in sound absorption. Although it is less effective than mineral wool for soundproofing walls, it proves valuable in specific situations such as recording studios where targeted sound absorption is required.

Resilient Channels and Sound Clips : Used to detach the wall surface from the structure, reducing sound transmission by creating an air gap that absorbs and dissipates sound energy.

Solid vinyl (MLV) and rock wool are two popular soundproofing materials that work in different ways:

Massive vinyl (MLV) works on the principle of mass to resist vibration. Imagine trying to shake a heavy object - it takes more energy to make it vibrate than a lighter one. Likewise, MLV, due to its high density, resists sound energy trying to pass through it. This material effectively adds mass to the wall, impeding the sound waves that cause vibration and sound transmission, especially at low frequencies.

On the other hand, mineral wool acts as a porous absorbent. Think of it as a sponge, but only for sound. Its fibrous structure allows sound waves to easily penetrate inside. However, once inside, sound energy is trapped in numerous air pockets in the material. This trapped energy is converted into a small amount of heat, effectively reducing the amount of sound traveling through the wall. Mineral wool perfectly absorbs mid- and high-frequency sounds.

In practice, these materials are often used together in soundproofing projects to achieve optimal results over a wider frequency range.

Apartments

Soundproofing in apartments is aimed at eliminating noise from neighboring apartments and common areas. Using a combination of MLV, elastic channels and mineral wool in wall assemblies effectively reduces the transmission of airborne and impact noise. General solutions:

Adding mass : Installing additional layers of drywall, especially soundproofing, can significantly reduce noise levels.

Separation : Using resilient channels to decouple walls from studs can prevent sound from passing through the building structure.

Door and Window Seals : Quality seals around doors and windows can block gaps where sound can pass through.

Private houses

In private homes, sound insulation is aimed at isolating individual rooms (such as home theaters, technical rooms or bedrooms) or reducing the level of external noise:

Room insulation : Techniques include building double walls or using a staggered structure to reduce sound transmission between rooms.

Reduce outside noise : Using multiple layers of drywall and soundproofing materials in exterior walls can block outside noise. Triple glazed windows and solid wood doors also improve sound insulation.

Offices

Soundproofing office spaces aims to improve concentration and privacy, minimize distractions and create a productive workspace. The use of acoustic panels, ceiling partitions and soundproofing systems helps control noise levels and improve speech privacy.

Partitions : Installing soundproofing partitions with high STC (Sound Transmission Class) ratings allows you to create quiet work spaces.

Acoustic panels : Installing acoustic panels on walls and ceilings reduces noise levels in open plan offices.

Floor coverings : Carpets and underlays reduce noise levels from people moving around.

Industrial premises

In industrial premises, it is very important to control noise from machinery and equipment. Industrial premises require reliable soundproofing solutions to comply with noise regulations and protect the health of workers. Soundproof enclosures, acoustic barriers and specialized sound-absorbing materials reduce noise levels from machines and processes:

Enclosures : Building soundproof enclosures around noisy equipment can contain noise.

Damping materials : Applying damping compounds to metal surfaces can reduce vibration and noise.

Barrier walls : Construction of heavy, dense barrier walls can prevent noise from spreading to other areas.

Sound studios

To obtain high-quality recordings in recording studios, increased sound insulation is required:

Room within a room : This technique involves the construction of an additional isolated room within an existing structure, providing maximum sound insulation.

Acoustic Treatment : Installing bass traps, diffusers and absorbers helps control sound reflections. Foam rubber and cardboard diffusers are often used for this.

Floating floors : Creating a floating floor system reduces the level of impact noise and vibrations from external sources.

Technological advances

Recent technological advances have improved the efficiency and effectiveness of sound insulation:

Active Noise Isolator : This technology uses “reverse” sound waves to cancel out noise. So far it has been used primarily in headphones, but research is currently underway for use in construction.

Smart materials : Innovations in materials science have led to the development of new soundproofing materials that are lighter, thinner and more effective than traditional options.

Integrated systems : In modern building projects, sound insulation considerations are increasingly taken into account already at the design stage, materials and construction technologies are integrated from the very beginning, rather than as retrofitted solutions.

Effective soundproofing requires planning and professional execution. Basic strategies: assessment of specific problems and sources of noise, a combination of different soundproofing methods (mass, damping, decoupling) usually gives better results than using any one method, professional installation, since errors such as gaps in insulation or improper sealing can significantly reduce efficiency.