We are sometimes disturbed by neighbors who play music all night long, and all we hear is the "bass thump." ATVs are also disturbingly noisy as the engine sound seems to go through anything.
Now we are going to add a floor, and I am considering the choice of exterior wall for the best possible sound insulation.
What are the options?
I have been considering
Horizontal paneling
50mm air gap
Facade gypsum
270mm insulation
OSB+gypsum
I've experimented a bit with Insul, and what seems to provide the most is lots of gypsum on the inside. However, gypsum on the facade doesn't seem to contribute much.
When I compare it with the current wall, there isn't much difference, but I suspect that execution plays a big role and how airtight it is?
Thankful for any answers.
Now we are going to add a floor, and I am considering the choice of exterior wall for the best possible sound insulation.
What are the options?
I have been considering
Horizontal paneling
50mm air gap
Facade gypsum
270mm insulation
OSB+gypsum
I've experimented a bit with Insul, and what seems to provide the most is lots of gypsum on the inside. However, gypsum on the facade doesn't seem to contribute much.
When I compare it with the current wall, there isn't much difference, but I suspect that execution plays a big role and how airtight it is?
Thankful for any answers.
Hello!
As pelpet writes, penetrations are often the culprit, but besides penetrations and windows, there are certain things that are good to keep in mind.
Heavy materials are absolutely the best for absorbing sound, as sound is transmitted through vibrations in the construction, and the heavier the construction = fewer vibrations. This is probably the explanation for why it's the bass sound, logically.
However, a heavy construction can be expensive and troublesome to execute.
One solution is to create a double frame in the walls, i.e., instead of having 45x270 as the frame, go with 45 x 195, then have a small gap and continue with 45 x 95. In this way, the outer construction vibrates, but the one facing the room remains still, so the sound is not transmitted further in. The insulation can remain as it was since it does not conduct any sound.
There are also special acoustic studs that can be used, which conduct sound significantly less.
/Torpalainen
As pelpet writes, penetrations are often the culprit, but besides penetrations and windows, there are certain things that are good to keep in mind.
Heavy materials are absolutely the best for absorbing sound, as sound is transmitted through vibrations in the construction, and the heavier the construction = fewer vibrations. This is probably the explanation for why it's the bass sound, logically.
However, a heavy construction can be expensive and troublesome to execute.
One solution is to create a double frame in the walls, i.e., instead of having 45x270 as the frame, go with 45 x 195, then have a small gap and continue with 45 x 95. In this way, the outer construction vibrates, but the one facing the room remains still, so the sound is not transmitted further in. The insulation can remain as it was since it does not conduct any sound.
There are also special acoustic studs that can be used, which conduct sound significantly less.
/Torpalainen
The sound can also enter through the roof. For example, through the eave vents and down through the insulation and ceiling gypsum board. This standard type of roof construction is a poor sound insulator.
I can mention that we have a metal roof on 3 mm masonite boards (type), insulation, furring strips, and then ceiling gypsum board. In the living room where we have the TV, the volume has to be turned up to MAX to hear anything during heavy rain. It roars incredibly. In the older part of the house, where there are more substantial planks and logs, and the old wooden roof under the metal, it is almost inaudible.
Conclusion: add as many layers of heavy and massive materials as possible, and preferably also wood fiber insulation instead of fiberglass, since it is packed more tightly and is therefore heavier and denser, thus dampening sound better. However, it is relatively pointless to do all this if all possible gaps are not also addressed. That is, vents, windows & doors, wall-to-ceiling junctions, and the roof (inner-). Alternatively, as previously mentioned, there are specific construction methods to dampen noise.
I can mention that we have a metal roof on 3 mm masonite boards (type), insulation, furring strips, and then ceiling gypsum board. In the living room where we have the TV, the volume has to be turned up to MAX to hear anything during heavy rain. It roars incredibly. In the older part of the house, where there are more substantial planks and logs, and the old wooden roof under the metal, it is almost inaudible.
Conclusion: add as many layers of heavy and massive materials as possible, and preferably also wood fiber insulation instead of fiberglass, since it is packed more tightly and is therefore heavier and denser, thus dampening sound better. However, it is relatively pointless to do all this if all possible gaps are not also addressed. That is, vents, windows & doors, wall-to-ceiling junctions, and the roof (inner-). Alternatively, as previously mentioned, there are specific construction methods to dampen noise.
I used the principle that sound should switch between solid and loose, i.e., solid material to air gap to solid material, and that sound should not be transmitted through the framework between rooms.
For example, the rooms are framed so the sound cannot be picked up by a stud in the wall, conducted into the room because the stud is directly against the ceiling joists or crosswise sparse or whatever it's called, etc.
I also placed rubber membranes around the framework floor/ceiling in the rooms on the loft.
Then I installed cheap thin crappy doors ha ha 😅 but that will be changed someday.
This might work better against sound that you create yourself in the property.
For example, the rooms are framed so the sound cannot be picked up by a stud in the wall, conducted into the room because the stud is directly against the ceiling joists or crosswise sparse or whatever it's called, etc.
I also placed rubber membranes around the framework floor/ceiling in the rooms on the loft.
Then I installed cheap thin crappy doors ha ha 😅 but that will be changed someday.
This might work better against sound that you create yourself in the property.