A good soundproofing solution for your home or office makes work more productive, enhances your enjoyment of music, television and movies, and helps you sleep better. But you need to know the right products and techniques to get the best results.
Choosing the best drywall for soundproofing depends on how much you want to spend and how effective you want your walls to be. In general, thicker, denser materials are better at blocking noise, especially low frequencies. Some materials also have special properties that help stop sounds, such as deflection or absorption.
The most common type of acoustical drywall is made from two layers of high-density gypsum surrounded by a layer of viscoelastic damping material. Some acoustical drywall use a three-layer design with a special type of fireproof gypsum.
These materials are more expensive than standard drywall, but their construction and high-performance ratings make them worth the investment. Another good choice is mineral wool insulation, often known as rockwool, which has excellent acoustic qualities and can be installed between wall studs or under flooring. However, it’s not the best option for new construction or major renovation projects because it’s heavy and bulky and requires special safety gear to handle.
If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, there are several DIY options to reduce sound in your home, including spray foam and injection foam. Both options can be applied to existing walls and are available in open-cell or closed-cell versions for different applications. Open-cell spray foam is flexible and allows for air movement, but not sound, while closed-cell foam blocks both air movement and sound.
A Grey County Drywall Contractor can install special soundproofing materials that are embedded in drywall or built into the walls. These materials can reduce sound transmission between rooms or dwelling units, making them ideal for new office buildings and other commercial spaces with large open areas. They include sound-absorbing drywall, resilient channels and other specialty materials that are embedded into the walls or attached to the framing with clips.
When choosing acoustical drywall for a new build, look for products that are rated with a sound transmission class (STC) rating. This tells you how well the drywall stops noise and vibrations, such as from loud machinery or conversations. The higher the STC, the more effective the drywall is.
When installing soundproofing drywall, be sure to follow the installation instructions carefully. Mistakes, such as gaps between panels or not using acoustic sealant around joints, can weaken the effect. Also, using drywall screws designed for soundproofing rather than regular screws can help you maximize the effect. Finally, using decoupling methods to separate the drywall from the framing will improve your installation and increase your sound-blocking effectiveness. These include using resilient channels and hat channels to create a gap between the drywall and the wall, as well as using acoustic clips or acoustic decoupling strips. This is a critical step in soundproofing, since it stops the transfer of vibrations and noise through the drywall.
