4.5 How do I improve the noise insulation of my house/dwelling?
Description
This article is from the Acoustics FAQ, by Andrew Silverman with numerous contributions by others.
4.5 How do I improve the noise insulation of my house/dwelling?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions of noise consultants. Firstly you should consider whether better insulation is really essential. The method of noise insulation will depend on the exact situation, so the advice of a competent person should be sought at an early stage. Sound insulation is most often asked for in order to keep out unwanted noise, but is occasionally requested for the purpose of minimizing disturbance to others. The following ideas may serve as guidelines.
When the noise is from an external source such as a main road it may be possible, if planning authorities permit, to screen with a noise barrier. These can be effective providing that the direct line of sight between traffic and house is concealed by the barrier.
The weak point for sound transmission to and from a building is most often via the windows. Double glazing will usually afford noticeably better protection than single glazing, but in areas of high external noise it might be preferable to have double windows with a large air gap and acoustic absorbent material in the reveals. A drawback of improving external insulation is that, for some people, the resultant lower background level can itself be disturbing; it can also make noise transmission through party walls more apparent. The fitting of new windows may reduce the level of air ventilation, and it will be vital to compensate for this, if necessary with a noise attenuating system.
You may also need to consider noise penetration through the roof, floors, ceilings and walls.
Noise through party walls can be reduced by the addition of a false wall. This is constructed from a layer of sound insulating material, commonly plasterboard, separated from the party wall by a large void containing acoustic quilting. The false wall must not be connected to the party wall because that would allow sound transmission paths. The quality of construction is an important consideration if optimal levels of attenuation are desired. It is advisable to contact an independent noise consultant before allowing any building works to commence.
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