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Tranquility in the home is disrupted all-too-often by noisy neighbors, street traffic and barking pets. Apartments with shared walls, neighbors above and below, and within buildings located in built-up areas can be subject to noise pollution.
Limiting the impact of external noises by soundproofing an apartment can create a relaxing environment. “Home hacks” including egg cartons, foam rubber cut-outs and white noise machines may be popular, but they are not an adequate substitute for a soundproofed apartment using genuine construction methods. By utilizing soundproofing material designed for walls and ceilings, a peaceful living area can be created.
How is noise entering your apartment?
Sound is created by the vibration of air molecules and carries as these molecules move in waves – these are commonly known as sound waves. The greater these vibrations, the louder the sound. When these sound waves meet the structure of your apartment, sound is then transmitted as the structure’s molecules vibrate. The origin of these sound waves can be from neighboring apartments or external sources to your building.
Effective Soundproofing Methods
Mass
The threshold for a partition’s vibration is raised in accordance with its weight, thereby reducing sound transmission. By increasing the layers on either side of a wall, a wall structure can be made as heavy as possible. Mass is the process of adding these layers to a wall and helps with low, mid, and high frequency sound transfer. Adding two layers of 5/8” drywall is one of the most common and cheapest solutions for soundproofing interior walls.
Decoupling
Decoupling is the reduction of contact surface area between the two sides of a wall or ceiling structure. By reducing the contact surface level (for example between the drywall and wall frame) there are less pathways for sound waves to carry via vibration to the opposite side of a structure. Decoupling can be achieved through products such as sound isolation clips, resilient channels, and staggered stud framing.
Absorption
Absorption employs a product or assembly to absorb sound waves. During construction, soundproofing material often takes the form of fiberglass insulation. By preventing air particles from vibrating and echoing in a cavity, this insulation traps air between its fibers and coverts it to heat. When combined with decoupling, the value and effectiveness of absorption is increased significantly, making this a highly effective sound proofing method.
Resilmount Sound Isolation
Resilmount® sound isolation clips are engineered and patented by Studco Building Systems®, specifically for reducing air-borne and structure-borne vibration in wall and ceiling applications.
These clips are an ideal choice as part of soundproofing for apartments. Utilizing the patented isolation element, Resilmount clips are designed to work with wall and ceiling framing structures. The signature red isolation element enables the decoupling of a wall or ceiling frame and creates an acoustic short circuit between the room lining and building structure.
Manufactured by Studco®, an expansive range of Resilmount sound isolation clips are crafted to suit various requirements, including apartment soundproofing. Hear the difference with Resilmount sound isolation clips, call 800 675 8023 or email sales@resilmount.com .
