Soundproof materials. Soundproofing materials

Noise insulation of walls in an apartment, modern materials for which today can be found in hardware stores, is becoming more and more relevant. This is explained simply - fences in multi-storey typical houses are not able to fully protect the home from external street noise and from sounds coming from neighboring apartments.

medical scientists It has long been noted that the presence of constant noise has an extremely negative effect on the human psyche, not allowing him to get complete relaxation and rest. That is why, unable to withstand the constant sound pressure, many city residents, especially those who live in panel houses, begin an active search for a suitable soundproof material that will meet all the requirements for its use in apartments.

Almost all modern acoustic materials are made on the same basic principles as traditional ones. However, they have undergone significant improvement due to recent production technologies.

To date, a very large number of new soundproof materials are being produced, and it is simply impossible to cover the characteristics of all on the scale of one article. Therefore, attention will be focused on the most effective ones, which are used in an apartment.

Thin soundproofing MaxForteSound PRO

When the area of ​​​​an apartment or room does not limit the choice of materials, and you can install sound insulation of any thickness, this is convenient. But what if you can't afford to spend precious inches of living space?

In this case, the innovative MaxForte SoundPRO thin soundproofing material will suit you. It has a thickness of only 12 mm, while in terms of its characteristics it is able to compete with sound insulation with a thickness of 5 and even 10 cm! MaxForte SoundPRO is the latest material designed specifically for soundproofing residential and industrial premises.

Specialists from the Research Institute of Building Physics and the Department of Acoustics of the Faculty of Physics of Moscow State University took part in the development of the material. In the manufacture of MaxForte SoundPRO, all the important points for the effective operation of the material were taken into account: the optimal density was selected (with a low density, the sound will pass through, if it is too high - along the "skeleton"), the length of the fibers, their thickness. The sound-absorbing layer is calibrated and uniform over the entire area. The material is completely non-flammable. The composition does not contain harmful phenol-formaldehyde resins and any adhesives. Therefore, in addition to excellent soundproofing properties, MaxForte SoundPRO is safe for health.

MaxForte SoundPRO gives an increase in sound insulation from both air (loud TV, a crying child, screams of neighbors) and impact noise (noise from trampling, grinding furniture, falling objects). It can be used for soundproofing ceilings, walls and floors, which will give a significant increase of up to 64 dB!

Installation of thin noise insulation is very simple, and not only professionals can handle it, but anyone who has ever held a hammer drill and a screwdriver in their hand.

MaxForte SoundPRO is mounted on the wall using ordinary plastic dowel mushrooms, which can be purchased at any hardware store. It is hung on the wall using the butt-to-butt technology, after which it is covered with a layer of GVL (gypsum fiber sheet). All seams of the sheets must be glued with a special vibroacoustic non-hardening sealant. After the soundproofing is sewn up with a layer of GKL (gypsum plasterboard). The seams of the GVL and GKL sheets should be in a run, that is, they should not match.

Visually about the installation of thin sound insulation MaxForte SoundPRO you can see in the video.

Video - How to install thin sound insulation MaxForte SoundPRO

Thin wall soundproofing with panelsSoundGuard EcoSoundIsol

EcoZvukoIzol SoundGuard panels are a unique material for soundproofing walls and ceilings, which allows you to achieve silence in the apartment and not lose usable space.

SoundGuard EcoZvukoIzol panels are made of a durable multi-layer cardboard profile based on the honeycomb principle, which are filled with thermally treated mineral quartz sand. The quartz filler used is very fine, exactly the same as an hourglass. It is this filler that makes it possible to achieve an impressive weight of the panel - more than 18 kg per m2, and according to the laws of sound insulation, the heavier the material, the worse it transmits sound (wool transmits sound very well, but for example, a brick wall or a steel door is much worse). In addition to weight, quartz sand, due to its fine fraction, perfectly dampens and absorbs almost all sound frequencies - from air to shock.

How to mount panelsSoundGuard EcoSoundIsol?

Installation of panels is very simple and almost anyone can handle it. are attached to the wall using SoundGuard DAP acoustic dowels, which are hammered into holes pre-drilled through the panel in the wall. After that, all seams and joints are smeared with sealant and the entire wall is sewn up with drywall.

Mineral noise absorbing material "Shumanet-BM"

This soundproof the material made from basalt fibers is considered to be premium grade mineral sound absorbing board. One side of the mat is laminated with a fiberglass layer, which helps to maintain the integrity of the slab and keep the internal basalt fibers in one position to prevent their small particles from entering the room. This is especially important in cases where the sound-absorbing material will be covered by perforated acoustic panels.

Packing of soundproof boards "Shumanet"

Plates « Shumanet BM" are produced in accordance with the requirements of SNiP 23 — 03-2003 Noise protection. They have the following technical and operational characteristics:

	Indicators
Standard plate size (mm)	1000x500 or 1000x600
Plate thickness (mm)	50
Material density (kg/m³)	45
Number of boards in a package (pcs.)	4
Area of ​​boards in one package (m²)	2.0 or 2.4
Weight of one package (kg)	4.2÷5.5
Packing volume (m³)	0.1 ÷ 0.12
Sound absorption coefficient (average)	0.95
Flammability (GOST 30244-94)	NG (non-flammable)
Water absorption at partial immersion in water for 24 hours, in% of the total volume	Not more than 1÷3%

Acoustic tests to determine the sound absorption coefficient were carried out in the measurement laboratory of the Moscow Research Institute of Building Physics at the Russian Academy of Architecture and Building Sciences.

The basis of "shumanet" are basalt fibers

Having a low degree moisture absorption, this soundproofing material can be used not only in rooms with normal humidity, but also, for example, in the bathroom. In addition, it is great for soundproofing stretch and suspended ceilings, and, of course, walls and multilayer partitions made in the form of a sandwich of drywall, plywood, fiberboard and other sheet materials.

Soundproofing walls using "Shumanet BM"

The installation of the plates of this sound insulator takes place according to the same principle as all types of mineral wool. However, one must take into account the fact that the material will be used primarily as sound absorber, and only then is considered as an additional insulation.

Work is carried out in the following sequence:

• On the prepared one, markings are made to secure the elements of the crate. Since the width of the mats is 500 mm, and they should stand between the bars by surprise, the distance between the guides should be 450 ÷ 480 mm. If mats 600 mm wide are purchased, then, accordingly, the distance between the bars should be 550 ÷ 580 mm.
• Further, the elements of the crate themselves are fixed, but at the same time, in order not to weaken the basic qualities of the soundproofing material, experienced craftsmen advise you to follow a number of simple recommendations:

- For lathing, it is best to use a wooden beam, and not metal profiles, since metal is a good conductor of sound, it can resonate, and wood tends to dampen sound waves.

- In addition, in order not to create bridges for the passage of sound, it is recommended to make spacers between the wall and the lathing bars from a thin soundproof material, for example, felt or strips of basalt wool 8 ÷ 10 mm thick.

- If, nevertheless, a metal profile is chosen for the crate, then it is better to move it away from the wall with a soundproof gasket by 12 ÷ 15 mm.

- In the event that the area soundproof the room is large enough, and it is possible to take out the crate for sound-absorbing material and cladding 100 mm from the wall, then you can use special details - hangers. They are screwed to the wall through wooden spacers, and the bars are already fixed in them.

Another option is the use of special suspensions, which are designed specifically for noise-absorbing structures. Structurally, such a product already has a special damper layer, which effectively dampens vibrations without transferring them to the frame guides.

Special suspension used for soundproofing work

If a guide bars fixed in the above way, then the sound insulator mats are mounted in two layers. The first of them is installed behind the elements of the crate, close to the wall, and the second - between the guides.

Two-layer placement of shumanet panels

• Ultimately, upon completion of the installation of the Shumanet BM panels, the walls should look like this:

Next, over the mats soundproof material is fixed vapor-permeable diffuse membrane. Then they proceed to the installation of drywall or plywood sheets, which, in turn, will become the basis for finishing work. However, it is quite possible to replace this layering by fastening directly to the guide rails of a wooden decorative lining.

Next - the wall is tightened with a diffuse membrane and sewn up with drywall or plywood

It should be noted that all sound and heat insulating materials made in mats or rolls are mounted on walls according to the same principle.

Video: the advantages of soundproof mineral plates " Shumanet»

"Teksound" - a new direction in sound insulation technology

Texound is not yet as popular as mineral wool or polystyrene foam, as it is a relatively new sound insulator. The most important advantage of "texound" over others soundproof materials is that it practically does not “steal” the useful area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room, since it has a small thickness.

The main advantage of "Teksound" is the highest efficiency of sound insulation with a small thickness of the material itself.

This sound insulator is used for all surfaces of the room - it is fixed to the ceiling and walls, and also laid on the floor.

It should be noted that some craftsmen use "texound" in combination with thermal insulation materials, and such a bundle only increases the effectiveness of its use. But, unfortunately, the premises in apartments most often do not have extra space that can be given over to a “powerful” multi-layered sound and heat-insulating structure. In this regard, a material was developed that is able to protect rooms from excessive noise and not reduce the size of the room.

To achieve the desired effect and protect the room from outside sounds, it is necessary to cover all surfaces of the room with soundproofing material, otherwise it will not be possible to achieve the desired result.

Texaund was developed in Spain by specialists from the well-known company TEXSA, and its mass industrial production was also started there. It is in this country that the largest deposit of the mineral aragonite, which is the main raw material, is located.

To be more precise, the base component is calcium carbonate (CaCO³). Aragonite is very rich in this compound. In addition, calcium carbonate is the main constituent of many calcareous rocks, including chalk, marble, and others.

Harmless polymer compositions are used as binding components, and as a result, high-density membranes are obtained, but at the same time very flexible and elastic, with pronounced viscoelastic qualities, which is extremely important for sound insulation of complex building structures.

Sound insulation of rooms with this material is very effective even if canvases with a very small thickness are used. "Teksound"Able to absorb and scatter even sound waves of great intensity, which come not only from the outside, but are also created inside the room, for example, with very loud music.

Texounda canvas covered with a protective film

"Teksound" is produced in canvases (membranes) and goes on sale in rolls packed in polyethylene. It has the following technical and operational characteristics:

Name of material parameters	Indicators
Material density (kg/m³)	1900
Average web weight (kg/m²)	6.9
Area covered by one package (m²)	6.1
Weight of one package (kg)	42
Sound insulation coefficient Rw (average)	28
Flammability (GOST 30244-94)	G2
Elongation at break (%)	300
Manufacturing materials	mineral aragonite, plasticizers, polyolefins, spunbond

In addition, the material has the following advantages:

• "Texound" is resistant to temperature extremes. Its elasticity does not decrease at all even at negative temperatures up to -20 ° C .
• The material has a pronounced flexibility and plasticity, and this "Teksound" is somewhat reminiscent of rubber.

"Texound" with its plasticity resembles dense rubber

• The material is resistant to moisture and will never become a zone of mold or fungus, as it has antiseptic properties.
• The operating time of the “texound” is not limited.
• "Teksound" is perfectly combined with other materials, and can be applied in a complex system.

"Teksound"Subdivided by its thickness, size and shape of release, may have additional layers that improve its characteristics. The main brands are presented in the table:

Name	Noise isolator release form	Linear parameters of the material, mm
Texound 35	rolled	1220×8000×1.8
Texound 50	rolled	1220×8000×1.8
Texound 70	rolled	1220×6000×2.6
Texound100	sheet	1200×100×4.2
Texound SY 35	Self-adhesive roll	1220×8000×3.0
Texound SY 50	Self-adhesive roll	1220×6050×2.6
Texound SY 50 AL	Foil self-adhesive roll	1200×6000×2.0
Texound SY 70	Self-adhesive roll	1200×5050×3.8
Texound SY100	Self-adhesive sheet	1200×100×4.2
Texound FT 55 AL	With felt and foil layer	1220×5500×15.0
Texound FT 40	With felt layer	1220×6000×12.0
Texound FT 55	With felt layer	1200×6000×14.0
Texound FT 75	With felt layer	1220×5500×15.0
Texound 2FT 80	With two felt layers	1200×5500×24.0
"Texound S BAND-50"	Self-adhesive tape	50×6000×3.7
Glue "Homakoll", designed for "Teksound"	canister	8 liters

Installation of "texound"

Almost any base is suitable for mounting this material - concrete, drywall, plastic, wood, metal and others. The main thing is that the surface is well prepared - leveled, cleaned of old coatings, primed and dried.

If there is a qualitatively applied layer of plaster on the wall, then it must be primed, and then installation can be carried out directly on it.

The work can be done in two ways. In the first of them, only soundproofing material is used, and in the second, it is used in combination with a heat insulator.

The first option - without additional insulation

• Glue is applied to the prepared surface. For mounting " texound"A special mounting adhesive is used, which is sold in liquid form, ready for use, in canisters. After lubrication, it is necessary to wait 15÷20 minutes until the glue sets.

Marking and cutting canvases "Teksounda"

• Further, the soundproofing material itself is mounted on the glued wall, which must be measured and cut off in advance, and also pre-lubricated with glue.

Special glue is applied both to the surface of the wall and to the Texounda canvas itself.

• If self-adhesive material is purchased, then installation will be much easier, since it will not be needed for laying, and you will just need to remove the protective film and attach the material to the wall.
• Next, the “texound” sheet must be pressed as tightly as possible to the surface, and then additionally walk over it with a roller. This must be done in order to achieve its best adhesion to the wall surface over the entire area, without leaving air bubbles.

Welding the Texound joints with a gas burner

• Cloths "Teksounda"Be sure to overlap, by about 50 mm. The sheets are glued together hermetically. This process is carried out using "liquid nails" glue or by heating the material with hot air or a gas burner - while adjacent sheets are welded. If at least small gaps are left between the canvases during installation, then the effectiveness of sound insulation will be significantly reduced.

Fully texounded doorway

• If the installation of "Teksound" is carried out on the ceiling, then it is glued in small sheets, since the material is quite heavy, and it will simply be impossible to hold a solid sheet from wall to wall.
• After gluing the canvas, if necessary, it is additionally fixed on the wall with fasteners - “fungi”, the very ones that are most often used for mounting polystyrene foam or mineral wool.

The second option - with the use of thermal insulation

Complex installation is carried out if the wall needs not only soundproof but also insulate. If there is such a task, then the work is carried out as follows:

• On the primed wall along the edges, the crate frame is fixed.

Frame for "Texound" along the perimeter of the wall

• The next step is to immediately glue Texound on the entire wall in one version, and in the other, heat-insulating material is preliminarily laid. However, the first method shows a higher efficiency for sound insulation.
• If thermal insulation is adjacent to the wall, then "texound" is first fixed with "fungi", and then additionally pressed with metal suspension strips.

Fixing the "Texounda" canvases with "fungi" dowels

• To achieve the required place for installing the insulation material, the metal profile of the frame is fixed in suspensions at a distance of 40 ÷ 50 mm from the wall. In this case, it is necessary to set each of the profiles according to the building level, otherwise the frame sheathing will not be even.

Installation of a metal frame on top of the soundproofing sheets

• The next step is the installation of insulation. The most environmentally friendly of suitable insulation materials that can be installed independently is basalt-based mineral wool. If financial facilities, then you can use the above-described "Shumanet BM", which is not only noise absorbing but good thermal insulation material.

• It fits tightly between the racks of the crate and is pressed against the Texound, mounted on the wall.
• Upon completion of the installation of insulation, the wall should look like this:

• It is advisable to tighten the heater vapor permeable diffuse membrane.
• The next step is . In some cases plywood or OSB sheets are used for sheathing.
• The sheets are fastened to the racks of the crate by self-tapping screws, the heads of which are recessed into the sheathing material by 1.5 ÷ 2 mm.

• Then the joints and holes from the caps of the self-tapping screws are sealed with putty.
• Further, the surface is primed and puttied completely, and after that you can decorate the walls with decorative material.

Drywall - the most convenient material for leveling walls

The wall that received soundproofing and insulating protection, it is necessary to prepare for further work - to achieve a flat surface, which will become the basis for finishing materials. As well as - in special publications of our portal.

Prices for drywall and sheet materials

Drywall and sheet materials

Existing schemes for mounting "texound"

Masters use various installation schemes for this sound insulator. Depending on the convenience of performing work, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room and the required efficiency of wall insulation from external noise, you can choose any of them. The only drawback of these structures is their thickness, which even in the best case will be at least 50 mm.

First option

This design will have a thickness of 50 mm.

• They begin to mount it with the fact that the prepared metal profiles from the side of their contact with the wall are pasted over with self-adhesive tape "Teksound S BAND 50". This must be done in order to avoid the transmission of sound and vibrations from the wall through the metal frame into the room.
• Further, the frame elements are fixed to the wall with dowels, and heat-insulating, sound-absorbing mats are mounted between them.
• Then, soundproofing material is glued onto the sheets of drywall, on their inner side. In this case, Texound 70 is well suited.
• After that. drywall is fixed on the racks of the frame, and its seams are sealed with putty.

Second option

The thickness of the structure with this option will be 60 mm.

• In this case, a thin heat insulator is first fixed to the wall. You can use foil insulation by setting it with a reflective surface towards the room. The insulation should cover the joints of the wall with the floor and ceiling, that is, go to them by 150 ÷ ​​200 mm.
• On top of it is made installation of a metal frame, which in the same way as in the first version of the design, it is attached to the wall.
• Further, insulation mats are placed in the frame, which are covered with drywall with Texound 70 glued to it.

It should be noted here that the heat-insulating material attached to the wall can be replaced with "Teksound FT 75", which has an additional layer of felt.

Third option

The thickness of the third design option is 70 ÷ 80 mm, as it consists of more layers.

• The first layer to the wall is installed heat-insulating material.
• The second layer is the Texound sound-absorbing membrane.
• A crate is mounted on top of it.
• Then the insulation mats are installed.
• Sandwich panels are fixed to the structure with the last layer, consisting of two sheets of drywall, between which Texound is laid.

When purchasing soundproofing material of this type, it is recommended to provide the consultant of the selling company with the characteristics of the material from which the house is built. The sales assistant will help you make the right choice by determining the thickness and the best form of the Texound release.

Video: using "texound" for soundproofing in an apartment

Use of foam rubber mats as soundproofing

Acoustic foam can be called the most effective affordable material for soundproofing walls in an apartment. Due to its porous structure, this material perfectly absorbs and scatters sound vibrations.

Acoustic foam rubber is able to neutralize two types of noise - sound and vibration waves, that is, it muffles the sound and scatters low frequencies arising from surface vibrations, for example, knocking or "bass" of music.

The material is quite durable and can be mounted both as an independent soundproofing material and in combination with drywall. Foam mats are available in a wide range of sizes and can be embossed or have a flat surface.

Foam rubber is made by pressing polyurethane foam, after which cutting into standard blocks of 1000 × 2000 mm is carried out. The thickness of the mats varies from 10 to 120 mm. Domestic material is produced in two or three colors, while imported options have a more diverse range of colors, including 10÷12 colors.

Material relief types

Types of relief pattern of acoustic foam can be different. The depth of the relief determines both the total thickness of the material and its noise-absorbing properties.

The main types of reliefs used for the purpose of soundproofing rooms are presented in the tables below:

Material relief height (mm)	25	50	70	100
"Wedge"
	For moderate soundproofing of walls and ceilings.	Effective for absorbing standing sound waves and echoes in medium to small rooms.	For effective soundproofing of rooms of any size.	To absorb low frequencies, it is most often used in large halls.
"Pyramid"
	For moderate wall protection against the penetration of high and medium frequencies.	Standing wave protection in small spaces. In combination with traps for low frequencies, they can completely soundproof the room.	It is used for rooms of any size and is used in conjunction with additional soundproofing elements, such as sound traps.	Same features as wedge material type

There are other, less frequently used acoustic foam elements.

Name of relief type	Characteristics
"Peak"	This relief of mats is less popular and has an unusual pattern. Its lack of demand is explained by lower soundproofing qualities than those of the materials mentioned above.
"Bass Trap"	Waves that have a low frequency are harder to dampen because they are longer. For this, bass traps are installed in each corner of the room, which are designed for rooms of any size.
"Traps of high and medium frequencies"	These elements are installed in large halls. They are designed to capture mid and high frequencies, and create the effect of scattering low frequencies. They are installed in a vertical position, but if the blocks are cut in two and placed at the corners, they will become traps for low frequencies.
"Corner Block"	Corner blocks are made in the form of a triangular beam. They are installed at the corners of the room and at the junctions of two surfaces, and also serve to dissipate low frequencies.
Decorative ceiling tiles	Available with and without embossed pattern. They are designed to change the relief and shape of the ceiling, with the help of which an additional soundproofing effect is achieved.
Insulating wedges	They are used to reduce vibrations from studio equipment and are used as a substrate under it.

Until recently, acoustic foam rubber was rarely used in apartments, since the material tends to accumulate dust. But in recent years, more and more residents of panel houses choose foam rubber to reduce the sound transmission of walls. Due to its high sound-absorbing and scattering qualities, this material is able to make the room almost completely soundproof, provided that it is mounted not only on walls, but also on the surface of the ceiling and floor.

It is very important to note that acoustic foam rubber does not lose its soundproofing qualities at all when it is closed with drywall. The main condition in creating such a design is that the foam mats themselves must be glued directly to the wall base, without any lining.

Soundproofing acoustic foam walls

Installing foam rubber on the walls is not too complicated, so you can easily do it yourself. In this case, it is worth considering the most acceptable method of soundproofing for the conditions of the apartment, but it should be noted right away that the area of ​​​​the room will decrease somewhat.

Installation work is carried out in the following sequence:

• In order for the foam rubber to stick easily, it is best to prime the wall surface and dry it well.
• Next, the mats need to be fixed on the wall. They must fit snugly against its surface, otherwise the sound insulation effect will be partially lost.

• Foam mats can be glued on a wide double-sided mounting tape, liquid nails or heated silicone.
• When all the walls are covered with foam mats, you can proceed to the installation of a frame crate made of metal profiles or wooden beams. Frame guides are fixed at a distance of 50÷60 mm from the wall.
• Racks are mounted in the recesses of the relief pattern directly to the wall. Mounting holes are drilled straight through the foam.
• After fixing the frame of the crate, drywall sheets, plywood, PVC panels or other finishing materials are fixed on the rails. This will in no way reduce the efficiency of the sound absorption of the foam rubber layer, since it will be the first to receive all sound waves coming from outside, absorb them and scatter them.
• In the same way, the foam rubber is mounted on a crate, and then one of the types of suspended ceilings is fixed on it.
• Logs are laid on the floor over acoustic foam rubber, on which a plank or plywood floor is laid. Further, if desired, laminate, linoleum, carpet or other decorative coating can be laid on plywood.

It should be noted that the installation of acoustic mats does not require serious preparatory repair work, and if it is decided to leave the foam panels in the open, then their installation will generally take no more than one day.

Exposed material will require frequent cleaning with a powerful vacuum cleaner to keep a large amount of dust from accumulating inside this porous material. In the event that one of the panels for some reason has moved away from the wall, it can be quickly glued into place without any special preparations.

In addition to the considered soundproof materials, others are also presented in the assortment of building stores. But today, acoustic foam rubber, texound membranes, shumanet plates and similar sound insulators can be called the most effective and safest for installation in an apartment.

Noise is a collection of sounds in a chaotic order, and, like any chaos, it negatively affects people. To protect against extraneous sounds, people use various materials, focusing only on prices and the advice of friends, but in this matter it is much more important to calculate the sound insulation index of materials.

Why noise is dangerous - the Ministry of Health warns

The close proximity of the house to the highway, noisy enterprises or life in a panel house sometimes leaves the imprint of constant fatigue on people. We get so used to the noise that we do not take it into account at all in search of the causes of insomnia, irritation, shattered nerves. However, it is chaotic sound waves that often cause them. The fact is that the optimal noise level, measured in decibels (dB), should not exceed 40 dB during the day, and 30 dB at night. What we usually call silence has a measurable level of 25 dB.

This is the most optimal value for our body, and if it is less, another uncomfortable sensation will arise - a feeling of ringing silence.

A person can tolerate a noise level of up to 60 dB for some time calmly, but if the sound grows and continues for a long time, a person may experience an attack of hysteria, or at least become very irritable. It is not for nothing that in ancient times the besieging troops both day and night created a loud noise around the fortress or castle - it was possible to endure the lack of food, share water and fight to the last drop of blood, but after several days of lack of sleep and exposure to noise, the people under siege were ready anything to stop this sound torture.

That is why, before moving to a new apartment, it is worth empirically determining the sound insulation coefficient of rooms and, if necessary, protecting yourself from extraneous sounds. Fortunately, there are a great many materials that are capable of realizing this task, you just need to competently approach the issue and take into account all the features of the propagation of sound waves.

Soundproofing and Sound Absorption - Acoustic Yin and Yang

Only a combination of two materials that are different in their nature of interaction with sound can really create a reliable barrier to noise. So, sound insulation is a characteristic of materials that affects their ability to reflect sound, preventing it from passing through a wall or partition. In a building structure, the soundproofing ability is primarily affected by the mass. For example, the thicker the wall, the more difficult it is for sound vibrations to overcome such an obstacle.

To denote this quality the index (erroneous name - coefficient) of sound insulation (RW), measured in decibels, is used- the index of glass partitions, timber, brick partitions, concrete and other materials indicates what level of noise they are able to reflect. Directly soundproofing materials include dense, massive materials - brick, drywall, MDF boards, concrete.

The opposite of soundproofing is sound absorption. Materials that have this quality, instead of reflecting noise, absorb it. To do this, their structure must be heterogeneous - cellular, fibrous, granular. To measure this parameter, we introduced the sound absorption coefficient, which is measured in the range from 0 to 1. At zero, the sound should be completely reflected, and the closer the parameter is to unity, the more the sound absorption increases. However, such materials do not yet exist - the maximum value of sound absorption reaches 0.95.

Sound-absorbing products are divided into three categories according to the degree of rigidity:

• Soft - materials that have a pronounced fibrous structure, with randomly arranged fibers. Wool, felt, glass and basalt wool are the most striking examples. Their sound absorption coefficient is the highest - from 0.7 to 0.95, with a small bulk density - up to 80 kg / m 3. To achieve a good effect, the thickness of the layer of such materials should reach at least 10 cm.
• Semi-rigid - plates with a fibrous or cellular structure. Such materials are mainly made from the same mineral wool or foamed polymers. Their bulk density is an order of magnitude higher than soft sound absorbers - up to 130 kg / m 3, with a sound absorption coefficient of 0.5 to 0.8.
• Solid - products from granulated or suspended mineral wool, porous aggregates such as pumice and vermiculite. Their mass is the highest - up to 400 kg / m 3, the sound absorption coefficient fluctuates on average at around 0.5.

Soundproofing index in action - how to get rid of noise?

For private houses and apartments, the most beneficial will be the use of soft sound absorbers - they have the highest absorption coefficient, and the degree of sound insulation is provided using building materials such as drywall or MDF boards. In addition, this design also insulates the room very well.

Acoustic experts unanimously repeat that there is no such thing as soundproofing materials. There is the concept of "soundproof structures". The point is that the use of any one product will not give the desired effect. The point is in the nature of sound - a loud conversation or the sounds of a TV are transmitted through the air, that is, they form airborne noise. The impact directly on the walls, floor and ceiling (rearrangement of furniture, trampling, falling heavy objects) is impact noise.

Both types can be converted into structural noise - if the house structures are interconnected without soundproofing gaskets. Fibrous materials cope best with airborne noise, cellular or porous materials are used against shock, but to escape from structural, in case of violation of technical building standards, it is possible only with the help of a major overhaul of the entire house.

Noise insulation of airborne and impact noise - examples

The main characteristic for materials that isolate from airborne noise is the sound insulation index. In order for you to get rid of neighborly conversations, this figure should reach at least 50 dB. If during the construction of a house this problem can be solved by increasing the thickness of structures or using ready-made blocks, then in an apartment where every centimeter counts, this method is completely irrelevant.

An acceptable option is a combination of different materials in a multilayer structure, alternating soft and hard products with varying degrees of density. Drywall can be hard, it will be responsible for soundproofing. Soft materials, such as glass wool or mineral wool, will take over the sound absorption. The effective thickness of wadded products in such structures is not less than 5 cm and at least 50% of the internal space of the structure.

Increasing the sound insulation index of the ceiling is possible by arranging an acoustic ceiling. Since the height of most rooms is already small, manufacturers and consumers are trying to save as many centimeters as possible. Semi-rigid and rigid in this case will help create the first layer of sound insulation, the second can be drywall or stretch ceiling. The stretch ceiling membrane itself has a good degree of sound insulation, but it is even better to purchase special acoustic stretch ceilings that have a multilayer perforated structure that perfectly reflects sound.

Porous materials stop impact sound waves. Their elastic structure repels sound vibrations, as a result of which they lose their strength. One of the brightest examples of such elastic materials is technical cork sheets and polyethylene foam. Most often, they are used in the arrangement of floating floors, substrates for laminate and parquet, and for sealing joints.

When performing sound insulation, the thickness of the floors should be taken into account - if plates with a thickness of at least 200 mm are used in elite housing, then they are much thinner. In the first case, it is enough to lay a layer of technical cork on the floor with a sound insulation index of 25 dB, in the second case, you will have to make a multi-layer structure using cotton and semi-rigid materials.

Soundproofing residential premises is becoming more and more important every year. And every homeowner wants to choose the best soundproofing material that protects from outside noise. Although it is difficult to choose them according to the “bad-good” principle, since many of them have a specific purpose and, to one degree or another, perform the assigned tasks.

So what is soundproofing? As a rule, noise and sound insulation is a complex multilayer structure, which includes dense layers that reflect sound waves and soft layers that absorb extraneous sounds.

In this regard, neither mineral wool, nor membrane, nor panel materials should be used as independent sound insulation.

At the same time, it is a mistake to assume that heat insulators (cork, PPS, PPE, etc.) are able to fully fulfill the role of noise protection. They are not able to stop creating a barrier against the penetration of structure-borne noise.

Even worse, if you stick sheets of polyurethane foam or polystyrene on the wall under the plaster, then this design will increase the resonance of the incoming noise.

Overview of the best soundproofing materials

Rock Wool Acoustic Butts

Rockwool Acoustic Butts, a group of companies that have been producing basalt fiber boards for eighty years, can be put in first place.

Stone wool pressed into panels has found its application both in residential and industrial construction as a heat and sound insulator.

Benefits of Rockwool Acoustic Butts:

• High sound absorption class (A / B depending on the thickness), excellent sound absorption ability: air vibrations up to 60 dB, shock - from 38.
• Low thermal conductivity and complete fire safety.
• Vapor permeability, moisture resistance, biostability, durability.
• Certification according to the norms of the Russian Federation and the EU.
• Ease of installation.

Disadvantages:

There is a risk of acquiring a fake.

High cost, to a large extent caused by the need to use additional components and waste accounting.

Soundproof

These are bitumen-polymer sound-insulating membrane-type materials based on modified resins, which have sound, heat and waterproofing qualities.

Applicable for walls, ceilings and floors, including for "warm" on the floating system. Included in category G1 - low flammable.

Positive properties:

• Versatility, durability, affordable price.
• Water-, bio- and temperature resistance (-40/+80°С).
• Low degree of thermal conductivity in accordance with SNiP 23-02-2003.
• Sound protection for airborne noise up to 28 dB, for shock - up to 23.

Negative:

• A small dealer network in the Russian Federation.
• The elements have considerable weight, and therefore they cannot be called the best option for weak load-bearing bases.
• Only one mounting method is allowed - adhesive.

Tecsound

The company is engaged in the production of polymer-mineral membrane soundproofing materials. These are flexible elastic roll products, very dense, for which they were classified as heavy.

Based on aragonite and elastomers. Belongs to classes G1 and D2 - low combustible, with an average degree of smoke formation.

Advantages:

• Resistance to rotting, moisture and temperature resistance (properties do not change even at t ° -20), durability.
• Versatility due to stretch property.
• Certification according to Russian and European standards.
• Environmental safety due to the absence of phenol-containing substances.
• Airborne noise reduction up to 28 dB.

Disadvantages:

• Possibility of installation - only glue.
• It is not applicable as an independent material for soundproofing.

The cost is above average.

Shumanet

Mineral wool boards of the Shumanet series are designed for wall and ceiling frame soundproofing systems for subsequent finishing with facing materials (plywood, plasterboard or fiber sheets, chipboard).

• Resistance to moisture, the formation of mold and fungus, durability.
• Excellent vapor permeability and minimal thermal conductivity.
• Full fire safety and incombustibility - classes KM0 and NG.
• Compliance with high sound absorption classes - A / B at any frequency, reduction of noise waves of structural and air type from 35 dB.
• RF certification.
• Ease of installation, due to the property of elasticity.

Disadvantages:

An increased degree of phenol emission (slightly exceeds the permissible), that is, environmental friendliness is in question.

The high cost caused by the need to purchase many additional. elements, the need to strictly follow the installation instructions.

ZIPS panels

The panel system from the manufacturer "Acoustic Group" appeared at the very end of the last century. This is a multi-layer structure, whose composition varies depending on the purpose.

For ceiling and wall surfaces, tongue-and-groove gypsum plasterboard sheets are used as the base, for floor surfaces - gypsum fiber ones. They are supplemented with fiberglass or basalt slabs.

To a large extent, vibrating units made of polymer and silicone prevent the transmission of vibration and noise waves. Degree of combustibility G1 (low combustible).

Advantages:

• Durability, efficiency and biostability.
• Little thermal conductivity.
• The absence of inter-plate gaps during installation, provided by the tongue-and-groove type of connection.
• No need to use adapters when fixing plates.
• Compliance with GOST requirements.

Disadvantages:

When wall mounted, the plates can resonate by 2-3 dB with incoming-outgoing low-frequency noise up to 100 Hz.

During installation, many components are required, which significantly increases the final cost of installation.

Plates SoundGuard (SoundGuard)

A fairly effective product, attractive at a democratic cost, produced by an alliance of experienced manufacturers, known on the Russian market for several years. Prefabricated noise protection structure includes:

• Drywall Volma,
• Profiled SoundGuard board (consists of mineral-quartz-filled gypsum board and cardboard cellulose panel),
• frame profile.

According to the degree of flammability, they belong to the group G2 (moderately flammable), toxicity T1 (low). Among the advantages of the SaunGuard panels are:

Compliance with all safety requirements and certification of the Russian Federation.

Versatility - the plates are applicable to any wall and floor bases.

Minimum thermal conductivity.

Good sound insulation performance (airborne noise - up to 60 dB, shock - up to 36).

Ease of installation, the ability to choose the installation method (adhesive, frame, using plastic dowels).

Of the shortcomings:

• Lack of moisture resistance property.
• Few sales representatives in Russia.
• High prices.
• In the process of cutting, shedding of the mineral filler occurs. This makes it necessary to process the edges of all plates with tape or tape.

In addition, if the panels are used as an independent sound insulator, then the degree of obstruction to impact and air-type noise does not exceed 7 dB. Like ZIPS, panels can resonate with low frequency noise.

Peace and quiet - every resident of an apartment building or a house located near a noisy highway dreams of this. Fortunately, soundproofing materials, combined with their proper use, will help get rid of all kinds of noise. This will be discussed - how to properly apply soundproofing.

Often, by noise, many people mean only one type of sound - air. These are the sounds that come to us from the outside: passing cars, screams of children in the yard, barking dogs, a construction site nearby. However, there is also an impact type of noise (hammering nails into the wall, the notorious drilling in the neighborhood, rearranging furniture) and structural noise - in this case, the sounds are transmitted directly through the building structure, the elements of which are joined rigidly and without the use of soundproofing pads.

A person feels comfortable with sound vibrations within the limit of 25 decibels., although sanitary standards somewhat overestimate this rate - up to 30 dB at night and up to 40 dB during the day. Of course, each person has his own standards of perception - someone calmly endures all 60 dB, but more decibels can make you seriously nervous.

For this, soundproofing was invented - its task is to reflect noise, not to allow them to pass through walls and other obstacles into your environment. Good for those who have thick walls - by themselves they perfectly reflect sound vibrations. However, this hardly applies to most panel houses and new buildings. In addition to sound insulation, there is also sound absorption - the ability of materials to absorb sound waves. Most granular, fibrous or cellular materials just have this ability.

Among such materials, soft, semi-rigid and hard are distinguished. Soft sound absorbers are made of fiberglass or mineral wool, as well as felt and ordinary wool. These include pumice and vermiculite - the so-called porous aggregates. Semi-rigid materials include plates made of the same fiberglass or mineral wool, as well as materials with a cellular structure, for example, polyurethane foam. By the way, their sound absorption coefficient is slightly higher than that of soft ones, but their specific gravity is greater.

Airborne noise is the easiest to deal with - porous and fibrous materials that can be mounted both outside and inside the building are saved from it. In addition, they have another property - thermal insulation, so their use is doubly beneficial. Impact noise can also be "plugged" with closed-cell materials by laying them around the perimeter of walls and ceilings. But structural noise is a more significant problem, because the materials must be laid at the construction stage.

For noise insulation of structural noise, it is recommended to use soundproof panels as the main element in the construction of structures. The panels are produced under different brands, such as FonStar, Sonoplat, Tycho, SoundGuard and others. The choice is yours. We can only recommend Ticho Group products in terms of price-quality ratio. .

Vibroacoustic sealant is used when filling joints in the construction of floating floors, cladding and frame partitions. The material provides a high degree of vibration isolation, does not cause metal corrosion, has good adhesion to most building materials such as brick, concrete, ceramics, wood. The cured sealant is odorless, but when working with it, ensure good ventilation of the premises and avoid contact with skin and eyes.

Silica fiber gaskets are a lesser known material used for soundproofing rooms with high fire safety requirements. This material is safe for humans and non-flammable. It is important to note that the presence of one type of sound insulation does not guarantee peace and quiet in your house or apartment - you need to skillfully arrange these materials in order to achieve a really significant effect.

For protective materials of this kind, such an indicator as the sound insulation index, measured in dB, is characteristic. The second indicator is the degree of sound absorption, which is measured from 0 to 1. The closer this degree is to one, the better the material. As already mentioned, thick walls themselves protect the comfort of our home from extraneous sounds. However, to increase the massiveness of walls and ceilings is a task too difficult for the layman, and inefficient.

The most acceptable way of soundproofing in this case is to create a multilayer structure from hard, cellular and soft materials, which can be done with your own hands from popular building materials.

In most cases, drywall acts as a rigid material - its thickness is optimal for interior work, when it is important to preserve as much living space as possible. Drywall acts as a soundproofing material, while a layer of soft material takes on sound absorption. As already mentioned, these include glass wool, mineral wool, polyurethane foam and other cellular formations. For effective sound absorption, the layer of material in a multilayer structure must be at least 50 mm and make up at least half of the entire structure.

The task of soundproofing floors, as well as in the house, is performed by an acoustic ceiling - also a multilayer structure that reduces the energy of sound vibrations and absorbs them. This requires the formation of an air space between the floor and the ceiling area - it is filled with pressed mineral or fiberglass boards.

After all, there is a cheaper polyethylene foam! Quite often, laminate flooring manufacturers offer it along with their products. Polyethylene foam is used both for soundproofing floor coverings and floating floors, and for sealing joints. It is resistant to almost all solvents, it is in good contact with cement and other finishing materials. However, when wetting the space filled with polyethylene foam, good conditions are created for mold colonies. In addition, prolonged loads lead to a loss of material thickness (up to ¾ of the original value), which in turn leads to a loss of soundproofing properties.

The composite material, consisting of two layers of polyethylene film and expanded polystyrene beads, is an improved version of the use of polyethylene. The top layer provides protection against moisture penetration into the structure. The lower film lets air and steam into the space between the films, but from there they are removed through the seams. Such ventilation prevents the accumulation of moisture and mold. The composite material does not deform and serves for a long time - from 20 years. When laying, the use of adhesives is not required.

The cork-rubber backing consists of cork and rubber granules. This material perfectly dampens the vibration of household appliances and other appliances. It is effective to lay such a substrate both under elastic and hard floor coverings: linoleum, parquet, laminate, tile. However, the cork-rubber coating needs additional protection from moisture, since it serves as a medium for the emergence and development of mold.

Acoustic principles are often misunderstood and, as a result, incorrectly applied in practice.

Much of what should be attributed to knowledge and experience in this area, in fact, often turns out to be incompetence. The traditional approach of most builders to soundproofing and correcting room acoustics is based on practice and experience, which often limit or even reduce the overall acoustic effect. Successful acoustic projects are generally devoid of misconceptions and pseudo-scientific conclusions, and their content is focused on ensuring that the money and effort invested brings value and predictable results.

Listed below are some of the most common acoustic myths that we constantly come across when communicating with our customers.

Myth #1: Soundproofing and sound absorption are the same thing.

Facts: Sound absorption - reduction of the energy of a reflected sound wave when interacting with an obstacle, for example, with a wall, partition, floor, ceiling. It is carried out by dissipating energy, its transition into heat, excitation of vibrations. Sound absorption is evaluated using the dimensionless sound absorption coefficient αw in the frequency range 125-4000 Hz. This coefficient can take a value from 0 to 1 (the closer to 1, the higher the sound absorption). With the help of sound-absorbing materials, the conditions of audibility inside the room itself are improved.

Soundproofing - reduction of the sound level when sound passes through the fence from one room to another. The effectiveness of sound insulation is assessed by the airborne noise insulation index Rw (averaged in the range of the most characteristic frequencies for housing - from 100 to 3000 Hz), and interfloor floors are also evaluated by the index of the reduced impact noise level under the floor Lnw. The larger Rw and the smaller Lnw, the higher the sound insulation. Both quantities are measured in dB (decibel).

Advice: To increase sound insulation, it is recommended to use the most massive and thick enclosing structures. Finishing a room with sound-absorbing materials alone is ineffective and does not lead to a significant increase in sound insulation between rooms.

Myth #2: The higher the airborne sound insulation index Rw, the better the soundproofing of the fence.

Facts: The sound insulation index of airborne noise Rw is an integral characteristic that is used only for the frequency range of 100-3000 Hz and is designed to assess household noise (colloquial speech, radio, TV). The higher the Rw value, the higher the sound isolation. exactly this type.
In the process of developing a methodology for calculating the Rw index, the appearance of home theaters and noisy engineering equipment (fans, air conditioners, pumps, etc.) in modern residential buildings was not taken into account.
It is possible that a light frame partition made of plasterboard has an Rw index higher than that of a brick wall of the same thickness. In this case, the frame partition is much better at isolating the sounds of a voice, a working TV, a phone call or an alarm clock, but a brick wall will reduce the sound of a home theater subwoofer more effectively.

Advice: Before erecting partitions in a room, analyze the frequency characteristics of existing or potential noise sources. When choosing options for partition designs, we recommend comparing their sound insulation in one-third-octave frequency bands, and not Rw indices. For soundproofing low-frequency noise sources (home theater, mechanical equipment), it is recommended to use enclosing structures made of dense massive materials.

Myth #3: Noisy engineering equipment can be located anywhere in a building because it can always be soundproofed with special materials

Facts: The correct location of noisy engineering equipment is a task of paramount importance when developing an architectural and planning solution for a building and measures to create an acoustically comfortable environment. Sound-insulating structures and vibration-insulating materials can be very expensive. Despite this, the use of soundproofing technologies cannot always reduce the acoustic impact of engineering equipment to the standard values ​​in the entire sound frequency range.

Advice: Noisy engineering equipment must be located away from the protected premises. Many vibration isolation materials and technologies have efficiency limitations depending on the combination of weight and size characteristics of equipment and building structures. Many types of engineering equipment have pronounced low-frequency characteristics that are difficult to isolate.

Myth #4: Windows with double glazing (3 panes) have better soundproofing characteristics compared to windows with single pane glazing (2 panes)

Facts: Due to the acoustic coupling between the glasses and the occurrence of resonant phenomena in thin air gaps (usually they are 8-10 mm), double-glazed windows, as a rule, do not provide significant sound insulation from external noise compared to single-chamber double-glazed windows of the same width and total glass thickness. With the same thickness of double-glazed windows and the total thickness of glasses in them, a single-chamber double-glazed window will always have a higher value of the airborne sound insulation index Rw compared to a double-chamber one.

Advice: To increase the sound insulation of a window, it is recommended to use double-glazed windows of the maximum possible width (at least 36 mm), consisting of two massive glasses, preferably of different thicknesses (for example, 6 and 8 mm) and the widest possible distance bar. If a double-glazed window is still used, then it is recommended to use glass of different thicknesses and air gaps of different widths. The profile system should provide a three-circuit seal of the sash along the window perimeter. In real conditions, the quality of the porch affects the sound insulation of the window even more than the formula of the double-glazed window. It should be noted that sound insulation is a frequency-dependent characteristic. Sometimes an insulating glass unit with a higher Rw index value may be less effective than an insulating glass unit with a lower Rw index value in some frequency ranges.

Myth #5: The use of mineral wool mats in partition walls is enough to provide high sound insulation between rooms.

Facts: Mineral wool is not a soundproofing material, it can only be one of the elements of a soundproofing structure. For example, special acoustic mineral wool sound-absorbing boards can increase the sound insulation of plasterboard partitions, depending on their design, by 5-8 dB. On the other hand, facing a single-layer frame partition with a second layer of drywall can increase its sound insulation by 5-6 dB.
However, it must be remembered that the use of arbitrary heaters in soundproofing structures leads to a much smaller, smaller effect or no effect on soundproofing at all.

Advice: To increase the sound insulation of enclosing structures, it is highly recommended to use special acoustic mineral wool slabs due to its high sound absorption rates. But acoustic mineral wool must be used in combination with soundproofing methods, such as the installation of massive and / or acoustically decoupled enclosing structures, the use of special soundproofing fasteners, etc.

Myth #6: Soundproofing between two rooms can always be increased by building a partition wall with a high soundproofing index.

Facts: Sound propagates from one room to another not only through a separating partition, but also through all adjacent building structures and utilities (partitions, ceiling, floor, windows, doors, air ducts, water supply, heating and sewage pipelines). This phenomenon is called indirect sound transmission. All building elements require soundproofing measures. For example, if you build a partition with a sound insulation index of Rw = 60 dB, and then mount a door without a threshold in it, then the total sound insulation of the fence will practically be determined by the sound insulation of the door and will not exceed Rw = 20-25 dB. The same thing will happen if you connect both isolated rooms with a common ventilation duct laid through a soundproof partition.

Advice: When erecting building structures, it is necessary to ensure a "balance" between their soundproofing properties so that each of the sound propagation channels has approximately the same effect on the total soundproofing. Particular attention should be paid to the ventilation system, windows and doors.

Myth No. 7: Multi-layer frame partitions have higher soundproofing characteristics compared to conventional, 2-layer partitions.

Facts: Intuitively, it seems that the more alternating layers of drywall and mineral wool, the higher the sound insulation of the fence. In fact, the sound insulation of frame partitions depends not only on the mass of the cladding and on the thickness of the air gap between them.

Various designs of frame partitions are shown in Fig. 1 and are arranged in order of increasing soundproofing ability. As an initial design, consider a partition with a double cladding of GKL on both sides.

If we redistribute the layers of drywall in the original partition, making them alternating, we will divide the existing air gap into several thinner segments. Reducing air gaps leads to an increase in the resonant frequency of the structure, which significantly reduces sound insulation, especially at low frequencies.
With the same number of GKL sheets, a partition with one air gap has the greatest sound insulation.

Thus, the use of the right technical solution in the design of soundproof partitions and the optimal combination of sound-absorbing and general building materials has a much greater impact on the final sound-proofing result than a simple choice of special acoustic materials.

Advice: To increase the sound insulation of frame partitions, it is recommended to use structures on independent frames, double or even triple cladding made of plasterboard, fill the interior of the frames with special sound-absorbing material, use elastic gaskets between guide profiles and building structures, and carefully seal the joints.
It is not recommended to use multilayer structures with alternating dense and elastic layers.

Myth #8: Styrofoam is an effective soundproofing and sound absorbing material.

Fact A: Styrofoam is available in sheets of various thicknesses and bulk densities. Different manufacturers call their products differently, but the essence of this does not change - this is polystyrene foam. This is an excellent heat-insulating material, but it has nothing to do with soundproofing airborne noise. The only construction in which the use of foam can have a positive effect on noise reduction is when it is laid under the screed in a floating floor structure. And even then this only applies to reducing impact noise. At the same time, the efficiency of a foam plastic layer 40-50 mm thick under the screed does not exceed the efficiency of most cushioning soundproof materials with a thickness of only 3-5 mm. The vast majority of builders recommend sticking foam sheets to walls or ceilings to increase sound insulation and then plastering. In fact, such a “soundproof structure” will not increase, and in most cases even reduce (!!!) the soundproofing of the fence. The fact is that facing a massive wall or ceiling with a layer of drywall or plaster using an acoustically hard material, such as expanded polystyrene, leads to a deterioration in the sound insulation of such a two-layer structure. This is due to resonance phenomena in the mid-frequency region. For example, if such a cladding is mounted on both sides of a heavy wall (Fig. 3), then the reduction in sound insulation can be catastrophic! In this case, a simple oscillatory system is obtained (Fig. 2) “mass m1-spring-mass m2-spring-mass m1”, where: mass m1 - plaster layer, mass m2 - concrete wall, spring - foam layer.

Fig.2	Fig.4
Fig.3

Rice. 2 ÷ 4 Deterioration of airborne sound insulation by the wall when installing additional cladding (plaster) on an elastic layer (polystyrene).

a - without additional lining (R'w=53 dB);

b - with additional lining (R'w=42 dB).

Like any oscillatory system, this design has a resonant frequency Fo. Depending on the thickness of the foam and plaster, the resonant frequency of this design will be in the frequency range of 200÷500 Hz, i.e. falls into the middle of the speech range. Near the resonant frequency, a sound insulation failure will be observed (Fig. 4), which can reach a value of 10-15 dB!

It should be noted that the use of materials such as polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, some types of rigid polyurethanes, sheet cork and soft fiberboard in such a construction, and instead of plastering plasterboard boards on glue, plywood sheets, chipboard, OSB, can lead to the same deplorable result. .

Fact B: In order for the material to absorb sound energy well, it must be porous or fibrous, i.e. purged. Expanded polystyrene is a windproof material with a closed cell structure (with air bubbles inside). A layer of foam, mounted on a hard surface of a wall or ceiling, has a vanishingly low sound absorption coefficient.

Advice: When installing additional sound-proof linings, it is recommended to use acoustically soft sound-absorbing materials, for example, based on thin basalt fiber, as a damping layer. It is important to use special sound-absorbing materials, and not arbitrary heaters.

And finally, probably the most important misconception, the exposure of which follows from all the above facts:

Myth No. 9: You can soundproof a room from airborne noise by gluing or fixing thin, but "effective" soundproofing materials on the surfaces of walls and ceilings.

Facts: The main factor that exposes this myth is the presence of the soundproofing problem itself. If such thin soundproof materials existed in nature, then the problem of noise protection would be solved at the design stage of buildings and structures and would be reduced only to the choice of appearance and price of such materials.

It was mentioned above that in order to isolate airborne noise, it is necessary to use soundproof structures of the "mass-elasticity-mass" type, in which a layer of acoustically "soft" material, thick enough and having high values ​​of the sound absorption coefficient, would be located between the sound-reflecting layers. It is impossible to fulfill all these requirements within the total thickness of the structure of 10-20 mm. The minimum thickness of the soundproof lining, the effect of which would be obvious and tangible, is at least 50 mm. In practice, facings with a thickness of 75 mm or more are used. Sound insulation is higher, the greater the depth of the frame.

Sometimes "specialists" cite as an example the technology of soundproofing car bodies with thin materials. In this case, a completely different soundproofing mechanism works - vibration damping, effective only for thin plates (in the case of a car, metal). The vibration damping material must be viscoelastic, have high internal losses and have a thickness greater than that of the insulated plate. Indeed, in fact, although car sound insulation has a thickness of only 5-10 mm, it is 5-10 times thicker than the metal itself, from which the car body is made. If we imagine an inter-apartment wall as an insulated plate, then it becomes obvious that it will not be possible to soundproof a massive and thick brick wall using the "automobile" method of vibration damping.

Advice: The performance of soundproofing work in any case requires a certain loss of usable area and height of the room. It is recommended to contact an acoustic specialist at the design stage in order to minimize these losses and choose the cheapest and most effective option for soundproofing your room.

Conclusion

There are many more misconceptions in the practice of building acoustics than described above. These examples will help you avoid some serious mistakes during the construction or repair work in your apartment, house, recording studio or home theater. These examples serve as an illustration of the fact that you should not unconditionally believe repair articles from glossy magazines or the words of an "experienced" builder - "... And we always do this ...", which are not always based on scientific acoustic principles.

A reliable guarantee of the correct implementation of a set of soundproofing measures that provide the maximum acoustic effect can serve as well-composed acoustic engineer recommendations for soundproofing walls, floors and ceilings.

Andrey Smirnov, 2008

Bibliography

SNiP II-12-77 "Protection from noise" / M .: "Stroyizdat", 1978.
“Manual to MGSN 2.04-97. Design of sound insulation of enclosing structures of residential and public buildings "/- M .: GUP" NIATs ", 1998.
"Handbook on noise and vibration protection of residential and public buildings" / ed. IN AND. Zaborova. - Kyiv: ed. "Budivelnik", 1989.
"Designer's Handbook. Noise protection” / ed. Yudina E.Ya. - M .: "Stroyizdat", 1974.
"Guidelines for the calculation and design of sound insulation of enclosing structures of buildings" / NIISF Gosstroy of the USSR. - M.: Stroyizdat, 1983.
"Noise reduction in buildings and residential areas" / ed. G.L. Osipova / M.: Stroyizdat, 1987.