Investor · New York City, NY · Member since 2016 · 15 posts · 0 votes
I own two units next to each other (live in one) and want to sound proof the two common walls between the two since you can hear from one unit to the other.
I am very confused about the best soundproofing material. We need to install additional sheet rock to the existing wall with two inches in between. I am confused what goes inside. Is Roxul Safe and sound sufficient? What about using sound panels, or a lead sheet to line the wall under the sheet rock?
How much is needed without being exorbitantly expensive?
Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2016 · 553 posts · 314 votes
9y
Google STC ratings and look at different details showing cross sections of the wall.
A very well soundproofed apartment will have a two layers of drywall with insulation in between and acoustic pads wrapped around the electrical outlets and light switches.
Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2016 · 553 posts · 314 votes
9y
Google STC ratings and look at different details showing cross sections of the wall.
A very well soundproofed apartment will have a two layers of drywall with insulation in between and acoustic pads wrapped around the electrical outlets and light switches.
Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2017 · 80 posts · 39 votes
9y
I built a Home Theater I used SoundProofCow (not sure if I can link them)
QUIET BATT™ 30 SOUNDPROOFING INSULATION
QUIET BARRIER™ MD SOUNDPROOFING MATERIAL (ROLL)
then Fire Rated Drywall/Sheetrock 70lbs per sheet
Firecode Core 5/8 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Gypsum Board
If your trying to dampen Bass or other music you need to seal all possible areas. (Think if water was here where would it go to escape, sound is similar) I used
Gardner Bender 1 lb. Plug Duct Seal Compound around all my outlet boxes when the walls were open.
Jamesville, NY · Member since 2015 · 55 posts · 34 votes
9y
I agree with @Seth Borman about the double 5/8" drywall and insulation. I recently soundproofed the wall between two units in a duplex (I also live in one) and we used Roxul Safe and Sound. One uncommon thing we did was to put up carpet tiles, with a thick rubber backing, within the wall. The only reason we used them is because we had them laying around and no other use for them and it was probably as effective as putting up another layer of drywall.
Overall it worked really well without being crazy expensive, but you have to consider the sound traveling above and below the wall. Sound will travel through the floor and ceiling, which is much more difficult to stop.
Soundproofing to a home theater level might be a bit excessive if sound can just travel into the attic space or under the floor. At the end of the day, you can't block all sound ("soundproofing" is a bit of a misnomer), but two layers of 5/8" sheetrock and sound insulation is an easy, relatively cheap, effective solution.
Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2016 · 553 posts · 314 votes
9y
People are spending a lot of money to make MF (especially condos and co-ops) quiet. Technically is isn't hard, it just takes some details that most people leave out.
Architect · Papillion, NE · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 840 votes
9y
Others above have given good info. Other ideas...
use a double wall with stagger studs. Provide a min of 1" clearance between the stud walls. Allow the batt insul to weave between the stagger studs.
use resilient channels on both sides of the stud wall to fasten the drywall to.
The higher the stc rating the better. You want above 50.
Here are 2 links to construction details from a drywall mfr. Check out page 63 if you need a fire rated wall between the units. Product brands is interchangeable for these details. This is showing what this mfr has tested.
Investor · New York City, NY · Member since 2016 · 15 posts · 0 votes
9y
Thanks for the info! Is two drywalls with two inches in the middle, filled with Roxul Safe and Sound (and wrapping any outlets with accoustic pads) sufficient? Should I do something else too?