Does soundproof drywall really work?
If you're planning a construction project where noise control is important, you might be facing the choice between using multiple layers of standard drywall and buying very expensive “soundproofing drywall.” Does soundproofing drywall work and is it worth the cost? The short answer is yes: soundproofing drywall works.
How much does drywall reduce sound?
As such, it takes a 10dB reduction to reduce the perceived “noise” by 50%, 20dB by 75%. etc. By increasing a standard wall's STC from 34 to 64, there is ~30dB of transmission loss, which would provide an 88% reduction in perceived sound coming through the wall.
Is soundproofing a wall worth it?
Tearing down existing walls and rebuilding costs more money, takes longer, and also uses more space. Soundproofing is definitely worth the money but there is no need to go overboard.
Is drywall or insulation better for soundproofing?
When it comes to soundproof drywall vs. insulation, insulation is the better option. It's useful for absorbing and reducing sound transmission, while soundproof drywall isn't much better than normal drywall.
Which drywall is best for soundproofing?
There are various drywall types, but the Type X drywall is the most commonly used for soundproofing. It is a fire-resistant board, and a board of 5/8″ thickness can resist fire for an hour, which concurrently makes it the best drywall to reduce noise.
Is thicker drywall more soundproof?
More thickness means more mass and more mass means better soundproofing. The 5/8″ is also more durable sheetrock versus the 1/2″ option.
How do I block noise on a shared wall?
That said, here are the best ways you can soundproof common condo walls:Install sound barriers over the condo wall.Add more drywall (mass)Employ decoupling techniques.Use a damping compound (Green Glue)Invest in wall hangings.Audio blankets.Soundproof curtains and carpets.
How do you soundproof a wall that's already built?
What Is the Best Way to Soundproof an Existing Wall?Locate the studs in the wall with a stud finder. ... Install the Quiet Barrier HD onto the wall surface with roofing nails, 1 ¼-inch in size.Butt the edges of Quiet Barrier HD together and try to minimize the number of seams.Place the Quiet Barrier Tape over all seams.More items...
How expensive is soundproofing a room?
The price can range as high as $5,000 for rooms like home theaters or as low as $300 for basic soundproofing in a bedroom or living room. Overall, you can expect to pay anywhere between $10 and $30 per square foot for soundproofing a room.
How can I make my drywall more soundproof?
Soundproofing With Drywall: The Best Way to Soundproof a WallCheck the Condition of the Wall.Prepare the Tools and Soundproofing Materials.Fill the Empty Stud Cavities with Soundproof Wall Insulation.Install Mass Loaded Vinyl.Attach Resilient Channels.Put Up the First Layer of Drywall.More items...•
How do you soundproof a wall cheaply?
How to Soundproof a Wall CheaplyFit bookshelves to the walls you share with neighbors. ... Fill empty spaces to prevent echoes in the home. ... Hang drapes along the walls. ... Hang heavy drapes at windows. ... Fit an extra layer of drywall. ... Add a specialty acoustic foam to the room.
Which is more soundproof drywall or plywood?
For most applications, drywall is going to be a better soundproofing material than plywood. This is due to the larger mass of the drywall and the fact that sound travels very fast through wood.
Does two layers of drywall help with sound?
The gypsum has the mass to block soundwaves, and the viscoelastic material damps the wave vibrations. Combined the sheet will reduce the transmission of sound in or out of a room by between 15 and 20 STC points when compared to standard drywall sheets.
How do you soundproof a room with drywall?
Soundproofing With Drywall: The Best Way to Soundproof a WallCheck the Condition of the Wall.Prepare the Tools and Soundproofing Materials.Fill the Empty Stud Cavities with Soundproof Wall Insulation.Install Mass Loaded Vinyl.Attach Resilient Channels.Put Up the First Layer of Drywall.More items...•
How can I soundproof a room cheaply?
Rugs, curtains, and blankets are all a good choice. You can also rearrange your furniture to dampen sounds. Start by placing bookshelves and other large pieces of furniture against shared walls. Upholstered sofas and chairs can reduce the noise coming from downstairs.
What is soundproofing drywall?
Soundproof drywall has a rubbery material sandwiched in the middle of its gypsum layers which deadens sound energy.
What is the most important factor to consider when looking for soundproof drywall?
The STC rating is the most important factor to consider when looking for soundproof drywall.
What is the fire rating of soundproof drywall?
Most soundproof drywall panels are Type X fire-rated which basically means that it will provide at least one hour of fire resistance.
What is gypsum made of?
Gypsum: a mineral made up of hydrated calcium sulfate. This is commonly used to make standard plaster of Paris. Viscoelastic polymers: this is the key material that separates soundproof drywall from standard drywall. It is rubbery in texture and it's structure changes when exposed to different frequencies.
Is drywall soundproofing?
Combined together these form a layer within the drywall that makes it very difficult for soundwaves to pass through, making it a very effective soundproofing product.
Who makes SilentFX drywall?
Manufactured by CertainTeed the SilentFX QuickCut drywall is a strong performer.
Can you double drywall?
You may be tempted to double, triple or even quadruple layer your standard drywall to try and achieve a higher STC rating however this can end up costing almost as much as some of the lower end soundproof products. You will also lose a significant amount of floorspace to drywall which isn't ideal and the labour costs for fitting 4 layers of drywall will add to your total cost too.
How To Make Existing Drywall To SoundProof?
Well, it’s clear that if you’re already having drywall or eager to create this wall to soundproof, then you aren’t likely to replace the present one.
Does Soundproof Drywall Really Work?
Soundproof drywall can block sound to visit your property; it may act as a sound blocker is dependent upon its installation.
How does soundproofing work?
Most soundproofing drywall uses constrained layer damping to convert sound waves into other forms of energy and prevent transmission through the gypsum board.
How many STC points does drywall need to be soundproofed?
Soundproofing drywall will outperform a standard drywall assembly by about 5 STC points when all other design elements are identical. A five STC point difference can reduce sound transmission enough to cross the threshold of annoyance or privacy in a medical office, for example.
What is the thickness of QuietRock 510?
Pabco Gypsum owns QuietRock, which sells sells seven types of soundproofing drywall under the brand. These include: QuietRock 510, a 1/2" thick board. QuietRock ES and the mold resistant variant QuietRock ES MR, both of which can be scored and snapped like regular drywall, are fire rated and 5/8" thick.
How thick is QuietRock 545?
QuietRock 545, which is studio grade, 1-3/8" thick and is arguably the most advanced acoustic drywall available
What is Soundbreak XP?
SoundBreak XP Retrofit Board which is thinner and designed to be layered onto existing drywall
What is a dampening material?
Dampening materials or technology placed between the framing and building structure (e.g., resilient layers or decoupling clips and channel to stop structural reverberation)
How do sound waves work?
Although invisible, sound waves have contain energy that transmits not only through the air, but also through most types of solid and liquid materials. Sound waves in one room can vibrate a wall enough to cause that wall to generate new sound waves in an adjacent room.
How to Chose the Right Soundproofing Drywall?
The three main brands above all do a pretty good job at providing various options, so a lot of it comes down to coming through the specifics and seeing which one fits a particular situation the best.
How much does soundproof drywall cost?
Soundproof drywall is significantly more than standard drywall, but for people who are having sound issues, it is worth expense. Look to spend about $50 or so for one panel of premium soundproof drywall, whereas a similar sheet will be under $10 for standard drywall.
What Is Drywall?
A traditional type of drywall is one layer of a combination of paper and mineral gypsum.
What is soundproofing drywall made of?
It has an inner layer made of a few different ingredients, including gypsum, ceramics, and viscoelastic .
Why is QuietRock so popular?
The reason why QuietRock is such a popular option for soundproofing is that it is the first sound dampening panel to ever come to market. It has been around for about two decades now, with a few different options depending on what a person needs.
How many STC does QuietRock have?
Their top options max out at around 64 STC, which is pretty impressive for something that is so affordable. They stack up pretty well against the competition, and it is nice to see them continue to be innovative. Putting some pressure on QuietRock as the leader is certainly something that they seem focused on, and it is working so far in their advantage.
What is the name of the company that makes quiet rock soundproofing?
It is headlined by a very popular soundproofing drywall that goes by the name Silent FX QuickCut. It comes in a width of 5/8 of an inch, and is very easy to snap into place. It matches up almost exactly like the top options from QuietRock.
What Materials Work Best With Soundproof Drywall?
There are a few different options out there for soundproof drywall that work particularly well. For example, gypsum is one material that has a composition of calcium sulfate dihydrate. It is a relatively soft mineral, but when it is mixed with a binder, it can be put together in very hard sheets to create a sheetrock panel.
Who sells soundproofing drywall?
The number one seller of soundproof drywall at this moment is QuietRock. They sell several different types of soundproofing drywall under their brand. While it tends to be pretty expensive, most people are willing to invest simply because it gets the job done.
How Thick Should Drywall Be?
It might seem like people would want to get a very thick drywall for soundproofing reasons. The thickness of drywall goes from anywhere to 1/4 of an inch all the way to over an inch in some cases.
What material is used for soundproofing?
If insulation is not something a person wants to mess with, mass loaded vinyl is another material to help with soundproofing. It can be put just about anywhere, and it is so flexible and thin that it can go in so many different areas.
Is soundproofing drywall effective?
Even though it is fairly apparent that soundproofing drywall is effective, people are very he sitant to go all in. Why is that the case? It is a pretty simple answer, with the two main factors being time and money.
Is it better to add a second layer of drywall or add a second layer?
Soundproof drywall is definitely beneficial, but adding a second layer is going to provide even more mass and density. In theory, a person could add even more than two layers, but most will be fine with just that second layer.
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What Kind of Drywall Should I Use for Soundproofing?
Drywall is a blanket term that covers, gypsum board, sheetrock, buster board, and plasterboard. It is made up of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum), which may have additives and pressed between two thick sheets of paper. Manufacturers may mix plaster with a variety of fibers, plastics, and foaming agents and additives.
How thick is drywall to reduce noise?
It is a fire-resistant board, and a board of 5/8″ thickness can resist fire for an hour, which concurrently makes it the best drywall to reduce noise. There is soundproof drywall enhanced for soundproofing, but the STC rating is negligibly higher than a double layer of type x drywall.
How Does Soundproofing Work?
Sound travels at 343 m/s (1,230 km/h; 767 mph) through the air as waves that transfer the energy from its source such as a stereo speaker to its surrounding area.
What is quiet rock?
The QuietRock products hold a higher STC rating, but like X type drywall, they need to be measured along with internal insulation, whisper clips, and hat channels. QuietRock uses a three-layer design with viscoelastic polymers that dissipate sound waves optimally.
What type of drywall is used for QuietRock?
In the same wall assembly of the QuietRock, a double type X 5/8″ drywall with 3-1/2″ of insulation, green glue between the drywall layers, and steel studs on a wood stud wall brings your STC up to 58 with 2 hrs fire resistance.
Why is mass important in a wall?
Mass is essential when it comes to reducing the vibration carried by sound waves. For sound to move through a wall, it has to make the wall vibrate slightly, and the heavier the wall, the less vibration it will carry. Drywall is one of the lowest cost alternatives to provide mass, particularly a double layer of 5/8″ drywall.
What is the sound wave?
These sound waves are vibrating air particles that make your eardrum vibrate when the waves reach your hearing. We perceive this vibration as sound, and the larger the vibration, the louder we will perceive the sound.
What is soundproof drywall?
Soundproof drywall is pretty much what it sounds like: drywall panels with extra soundproofing materials added. Normal drywall is made from gypsum covered in sheets of paper. To make it soundproof, manufacturers include a layer of sound dampening compound in the middle.
How does soundproofing work?
To make it soundproof, manufacturers include a layer of sound dampening compound in the middle. Much like Green Glue , it’s a viscoelastic compound that dissipates sound waves.
What insulation should I use for a wall cavity?
Fill the wall cavity with the insulation of your choice, but I’d recommend mineral wool.
Why is sound absorption important?
It’s useful against noise pollution because its open and fibrous structure easily trap sound waves, which expend their energy trying to make the fibers vibrate. This is a prime example of sound absorption.
Is soundproofing drywall a specialist product?
Soundproof drywall, however, is a more specialist product. This means you’ll have to go to a supplier directly, which will often push up the price slightly.
Can you hang drywall off a hat?
You can hang drywall off hat channels as you would off wall joists. Just be careful to use the correct screws. They need to be long enough to reach the channels but short enough to not penetrate the wall joists.
Is insulation available online?
Availability is worth discussing though. Insulation materials are commonly available, both online and in DIY stores. This is because they’re used for thermal insulation but happen to have acoustic insulation properties too.
