Identify Your Noise Problem

What is making that noise? Where is it coming from? Is the noise passing through the wall or vibrating through the wall? Once you have correctly diagnosed the noise source you can begin taking the proper steps to solve and isolate the problem.

Conversation, TV, radio and other noise that can actually pass through your wall is called airborne noise and is caused by walls that are too lightweight to sufficiently block the noise.

This is a common problem with modern construction as the codes have not evolved to meet the demands of today's normal occurrences. Often office, residential and multi-family walls are built with 1/2" sheetrock more because it meets minimum code than for peaceful living or work environment.

The low frequency noise caused by home theaters, stereos or music practice is called structure borne noise. This noise can actually pass through a well insulated wall in the form of vibration. This is the kind of noise you can actually feel in your feet or with your hands.

Space: The more space, the more reduction in sound levels. Many have solved their soundproofing issues by building staggered stud walls, double stud walls or installing ISOMAX Clips. All of these methods help decouple the wall and increase the sound isolation.

Mass: The heavier the wall, floor or ceiling assembly the better it will work at blocking sound.

Dampening: Like a wine glass when you make it ring...but you can keep it quiet by holding it. You have to dampened the noise by retarding the vibrations.

You can achieve remarkable results combining space, mass and damping in your projects. Next lets look at evaluating your project by Conducting a Quiet Audit and see what steps are need to solve your noise problem.