Is there anything more irritating than being bothered by outside noises, whether it comes from the street, your neighbour’s or your roommate.
Here is a relatively easy way to reduce noise. It’s the technique that is used most often: demolishing and rebuilding a wall.
You will need the following materials:
- Acoustic wool
- Tube of acoustic sealant
- 4′ X 8′ acoustic panels
- “No more nails” type of glue
- Resilient channels
- Finishing nails
- Gyprock
- 1 ¾ ‘’ wood screws
- Plastic washers to install the insulation
- Protective glasses and gloves
Wearing protective clothing, start by removing the gypsum or wall plaster. Be careful. There are likely wires running through the wall. Turn off the electricity in that area if necessary.
When your wall is open and you see the joists, add acoustic wool between them.
Apply an acoustic sealant on the edge of the wood frame and beams. Then place the acoustic panels vertically in order to reduce joints.
Make sure that the joints are centred in the joists. To make sure that the panels don’t move, it is recommended that you use 1 ¾” wood screws to anchor the metal or plastic washers (which can be used to install the polystryrene insulation).
Once the panels are installed, apply the acoustic sealant along the perimeter of your wall to eliminate air leaks.
At 16 inch intervals, place resilient channels, a type of metallic support that will limit direct contact between the acoustic panel and the gypsum (to replace the wood 1” X 3” studs).
Install the first gypsum layer and do the mudding (one coat only). Add another gypsum layer and do the finishing mudding.
Add acoustic sealant at the bottom of the wall where the baseboard will be placed. The baseboard will be glued and nailed to the gypsum and not the wood in order to reduce vibrations to a minimum.
Casarazzi
There are other techniques to soundproof a room. Your choice will depend on your budget and your needs.
