What are the soundproofing materials? Technical characteristics and scope. Soundproofing materials Indicators of the best soundproofing materials

Types of acoustic materials and their properties

According to GOST R23499-79, soundproofing materials and products are divided into:

sound-absorbing materials designed for interior cladding of rooms and devices in order to create the required sound absorption in them;

soundproofing materials designed for isolation from air masses;

soundproofing materials designed to isolate from structural (impact) noise.

Sound absorbing materials

The volume level is measured from the so-called threshold of hearing, or elusive level, which is the minimum sound volume that a person with normal hearing can catch.

The sound field created by any source of noise in a room is composed of the superposition of direct and reflected sound waves from an obstacle. Reflection significantly increases the intensity of the sound and changes the character of its sound for the worse.

The characteristics of some sound volume levels are given in Table. one.

Table 1. Sound volume levels

Sound energy, falling on the partition, is partially reflected from it, partially absorbed and partially passes through it. Materials that have the ability to mainly absorb sound energy are called sound-absorbing.

Sound absorbing materials, reducing the energy of the reflected sound waves, favorably change the characteristics of the sound field. These materials must be highly porous.

If in heat-insulating materials it is desirable to have closed pores, then in sound-insulating materials it is better to have pores that communicate and possibly smaller in size.

These building requirements soundproof materials are caused by the fact that when a sound wave passes through a material, it sets the air contained in its pores into oscillatory motion, and small pores create more resistance than large ones. The movement of air in them is inhibited, and as a result of friction, part of the mechanical energy is converted into heat.

Sound absorbing materials according to the nature of sound absorption are divided into:

panel materials and structures, in which sound absorption is due to the active resistance of the system, which performs forced oscillations under the action of an incoming sound wave (thin plywood panels, hardboards and soundproof fabrics);

porous with a hard skeleton, in which sound is absorbed as a result of viscous friction in the pores (foam concrete, aerated glass);

porous with flexible skeleton, in which, in addition to sharp friction in the pores, there are relaxation losses associated with the deformation of a non-rigid skeleton (mineral, basalt, cotton wool).

On the sound absorbing properties materials is also affected by their elasticity. In products with a flexible deformable frame, there are additional losses of sound energy due to the active resistance of the material to forced vibrations under the action of incident sound waves.

In some cases, the cladding of the surface of building structures is carried out with perforated sheets of relatively dense materials (asbestos cement, metal, plastic sheets), which provide structures, along with sound absorption, increased mechanical strength and decorative effect.

Sound absorbing property of the material characterized by the absorption coefficient, which is the ratio of the absorbed sound energy to the total energy incident on the material. For a unit sound absorption conditionally accept the sound absorption of 1 m 2 of an open window.

To sound-absorbing materials include those that have a sound absorption coefficient of at least 0.4 at a frequency of 1000 Hz (“Protection against noise” SNiP 11-12-77).

Sound absorption coefficient is determined in the so-called acoustic tube and is calculated by the formula:

α star \u003d E absorb / E fall

where E absorb - absorbed sound wave,

E pad - incident sound wave.

Sound absorption coefficients some materials are presented in table. 2.

Table 2. Sound absorption coefficient of some materials

The noise level also depends on the reverberation time (the duration of the reflected signal). For example, in a room with a volume of 100 m 3 with hard surfaces, the reverberation time is from 5 to 8 seconds. If the surface is covered with a highly absorbent acoustic material, the reverberation time can be less than 1 second, i.e., as in a well-furnished living room.

Reducing the reverberation time to the aforementioned level increases the sound comfort of the rooms, creating an optimal working atmosphere in a lecture or sports hall, office, cinema or studio.

Soundproof materials

Soundproofing ability fences is proportional to the logarithm of the mass of the structure. Therefore, massive structures have more soundproofing ability from airborne noise than lungs.

Since the installation of heavy fences is not economically feasible, proper soundproofing provide the device of two- or three-layer fences, often with air gaps, which are recommended to be filled with porous sound-absorbing materials. It is desirable that the structural layers have different stiffness, and the building structure itself should have well-sealed nodes where the elements adjoin each other.

Soundproof materials, designed to protect against impact noise, are porous gasket materials with a low modulus of elasticity. Their soundproofing ability from impact noise is due to the fact that the speed of sound propagation in them is much lower than in dense materials with a high modulus of elasticity. Thus, the speed of propagation of sound waves is:

Soundproof materials designed to reduce unwanted harmful noise that adversely affects the human condition. The permissible noise level is normalized by SNiP. These materials must be moisture-resistant, bio-resistant, meet sanitary and hygienic requirements and retain their properties during long-term operation.

Soundproof materials according to structural indicators are divided into:

cellular soundproofing materials obtained by swelling or foam method (cellular concrete, foam glass);

soundproofing materialsmixed structure, such as acoustic plasters made using porous aggregates (expanded perlite,).

In appearance (form) they are:

loose soundproofing materials;

piecesoundproofing materials(tiled, rolled, mats).

To sound-absorbing materials usually impose increased, in comparison with, requirements for mechanical strength and decorativeness, since they are used for wall cladding indoors.

As well as heat-insulating, they must have low water absorption, low hygroscopicity, be fire - and biostable.

With the development of modern technologies, the frequency range of sound sources has expanded significantly. Residents of panel and block high-rise buildings especially suffer from this. Contrary to popular myths, traditional insulation such as mineral wool, foam or cork does not improve sound insulation. To fully protect your apartment from noise penetration, you should look for a comprehensive solution and it is best to invite an acoustic engineer for this. This is recommended in case of severe acoustic discomfort. If it is required to reduce noise pollution by 5–10 dB, one can resort to special noise-insulating materials, using them in the construction of frame partitions and wall cladding. This rating contains a list of the most effective of them and is based on expert opinions and user reviews.

The actual characteristics of sound insulation may differ from those declared by the manufacturer, since they largely depend on the degree of tightness of the fences, their total mass and number of layers, as well as some architectural aspects. In other words, even the most effective material will be useless if the apartment is located next to noisy engineering equipment, the neighbor's subwoofer regularly rumbles through the wall, and the partitions are made in the form of single structures and are rigidly attached to the bases. In order to prevent wasting time and money, we suggest evaluating the pros and cons of different materials.

Conclusions: there are no materials that provide complete sound insulation. In order to attenuate the sound as much as possible when it penetrates through the wall, it is necessary to build a soundproof structure of the “mass-elasticity-mass” type.

TOP 10 best materials for soundproofing walls

10 Echocor

High sound absorption coefficient. Wide design options
Country Russia
Average price: 2,800 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.3

"Ehokor" are acoustic panels for soundproofing apartments, private houses, public buildings with varying degrees of noise pollution. Their production is carried out by the Alliance company, using a unique raw material - foamed melamine of the German brand Busf. Outwardly, melamine is very similar to foam rubber, but, unlike it, it is absolutely non-combustible, has an open-cell structure and low thermal conductivity. This combination of properties makes the material attractive for solving a number of construction tasks, including sound insulation.

Due to the highest sound absorption (up to 1.0 with a panel thickness of 40 mm and a wall depth of 200 mm), Echocor can be used to create sound comfort in recording studios, assembly halls, restaurants, etc. At the same time, the properties of the source material allow painting products in a wide color palette, give its surface geometric shapes, apply prints and drawings by airbrushing, cut into shaped products. Thus, sound-absorbing panels provide unlimited possibilities in interior decoration according to individual projects.

9 Thermal soundproofing

Time-tested efficiency. Precise Mounting Technology
Country Russia
Average price: 4,800 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.5

TZI is a soundproof cloth made of needle-punched fiberglass, mechanically pressed and soldered into a spunbond. The company "Korda" has been producing it since 1996 and during this time has developed a wide range of products based on the TZI, the most popular of which are mats for heat and sound insulation with a size of 1.5mx10mx10 (14 mm). If necessary, the canvases can be cut by sealing the cuts with tape of the same brand.

The main advantages of this material are a high sound absorption coefficient (up to 87%), versatility (suitable for soundproofing country cottages, offices, apartments) and low thermal conductivity. The manufacturer provides a detailed algorithm of actions on the website, thanks to which even the most inexperienced home master is able to correctly install a soundproof “pie”. As practice shows, the above technologies really work, and the material fully justifies the long-term trust of customers. True, when buying, you should be careful - cases of fake have become more frequent recently, and packages with canvases have received an updated design.

8 Gyproc Aku Line GKL

Professional recommendation. Smoothness and hardness of the front surface
The country: Poland (produced in Russia)
Average price: 680 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Soundproof gypsum sheets are recommended by the Moscow Research Institute of Physics for use as permanent elements in standard constructions for soundproofing walls and ceilings in residential buildings, including medical and children's institutions. To do this, they have all the necessary set of qualities: strength (provided by a dense core of gypsum reinforced with fiberglass), high sound insulation index (54 dB), environmental friendliness (confirmed by EcoMaterial Absolute).

The front surface of the sheet has a hardness that is significantly superior to that of competitors, and the special shape of the edge increases the resistance of the seam to cracking. It is important to note the exceptional smoothness of the cladding, which significantly reduces the time and material costs for finishing. The reviews confirm that the sheets are really very dense, it is quite difficult to transport them, and it is better to countersink the holes before tightening the self-tapping screws. But sound insulation, subject to the use of material according to ready-made solutions for specific premises, is achieved tangibly.

7 Knauf Acoustic KNAUF

Environmental friendliness. Effective service life of more than 50 years
The country: Germany (produced in Russia)
Average price: 912 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

AkustiKNAUF is an acoustic mineral wool created using the innovative Ecose technology, which eliminates the use of harmful substances based on phenol-formaldehyde resins as a binder. In addition, synthetic dyes are not introduced into the composition, and the characteristic brown color of the canvases is the result of exposure to high temperatures on the natural components of the raw material. Compared to other products, Acoustic has longer and thinner fibers, due to which a higher sound insulation rate is achieved - according to the test results, a finished partition using KNAUF materials reduces the noise level to 57 dB (the indicator also depends on the wall design).

On the basis of AcoustiKnauf, the company offers many ready-made solutions for heat and noise insulation of various objects. Their implementation is simple due to the availability of detailed instructions from the manufacturer, with which you can isolate the room yourself or control the work of the contractor. Proper installation provides maximum stiffness, resilience and recoverability, so that the predicted service life of the material in the partition wall is 50 years or more.

6 SonoPlat Combi

The widest scope
Country Russia
Average price: 940 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

SonoPlat Combi soundproof panels can boast a very wide scope of application. They can be used in the construction of interior partitions, soundproofing walls and floors, creating soundproof screens, building chambers for industrial equipment. With the help of the material, boxes for lamps and electricians are erected, niches for acoustic systems are formed. The material is a combined soundproofing panel, which is designed for the construction of frameless thin systems. SonoPlat Combi is based on a multilayer cellulose frame filled with quartz sand and an airy coniferous substrate. It is thanks to the use of environmentally friendly materials in the creation of soundproof panels that a wide range of applications has become possible.

Panels can be mounted directly on a leveled wall. To do this, there is an elastic light substrate and seam edges at the ends. This design allows you to form a single surface without visible joints and cracks. Panels can become a kind of layer when it is necessary to create an ultra-efficient soundproofing system. Due to only SonoPlat Combi sheets, it is possible to reduce the noise in the room by 13 dB.

Homeowners write about many of the positive properties of the panels in their reviews. First of all, versatility and reasonable price are indicated. But not everyone manages to create an effective barrier to extraneous sounds.

5 Soundguard Ecozvukoizol

The thinnest sound insulation
Country Russia
Average price: 920 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The thinnest sound insulation in our review was the domestic panel Soundguard Ekozvukoizol. Its thickness is only 13 mm. It is not difficult to calculate the number of panels per room, since the dimensions of the sheet are quite accurate (1200x800 mm). The manufacturer managed to achieve the soundproofing effect through the use of quartz filler. Noise-insulating panels greatly reduce the impact of sound and shock waves in a wide frequency range. This was achieved by increasing the weight of the sheet, the use of a multilayer layer. It contains elastic, integrated and vibration damping layers, as well as free filler particles.

The panel is mounted in the same way as plasterboard sheets, it can be used for soundproofing both walls and ceilings. It is allowed to carry out soundproofing only of internal rooms with low humidity. Panels can be cut with a hacksaw, circular saw, grinder or electric jigsaw. Sheets are mounted both on an independent frame and directly to the wall surface. In the latter case, the surface must first be leveled with fiberboard or Soundguard Roll.

Most of the owners of apartments and houses in the reviews positively characterize Soundguard Ekozvukoizol soundproof panels. They do not steal the area of ​​​​rooms, they are easy to use. Some users are not happy with the high price and heavy weight of the sheets.

4 StopZvuk PSU

The best combination of noise and heat insulation properties
Country Russia
Average price: 755 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

To minimize the cost of heat and sound insulation of a house or apartment, you should pay attention to StopZvuk BP plates. The material has unique abilities due to the presence of basalt mineral in the composition. This component plays the main role of a universal insulator. In addition to a high rate of sound absorption (up to 99%), the plate withstands high temperatures (up to 1000 ° C). Owners of private houses will benefit from such properties as resistance to rodent penetration, preservation of their properties in a humid environment, and inertness to biodestruction.

StopZvuk BP is an environmentally friendly material, since basalt is a natural substance. The products meet all the requirements of European standards. Quality is controlled at all stages of production.

The low density of the material allows for complete heat and sound insulation of a house or room, without fear for the load on the supporting structures. Sound insulation is mounted in the same way as in the case of mineral plates. A frame is made with a step of 600 mm, and an insulator is placed in the formed space.

Homeowners note in the reviews such advantages of StopZvuk PSU as lower costs for a set of insulation measures, simple installation, and light weight. The disadvantages include insufficient protection from strong noise and vibration.

3 Shumanet BM

Best price
Country Russia
Average price: 749 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Shumanet BM mineral slab will help to cheaply make high-quality soundproofing of a room. This non-combustible material has a low specific gravity, which reduces the load on the walls. Plates are designed to fill the voids between the wall and the cladding. Installation is carried out using frame structures. The quality of each plate is strictly controlled by the manufacturer. Therefore, excellent acoustic properties are guaranteed.

Builders have no problems with the installation of material. As a rule, a frame with a pitch of 600 mm is arranged on the walls of houses. The miniplate has the same width with a length of 1200 mm and a thickness of 50 mm. The package contains 4 plates, which allows you to immediately isolate 2.88 square meters. m walls. Soundproofing material is laid between the profile or wooden beam. For fastening, it is enough to use several plastic "fungi" intended for mounting heat-insulating plates. If Shumanet BM will be used in rooms with high humidity, then each plate is wrapped in a non-woven material, such as spunbond.

Russian homeowners and builders note a number of positive qualities of soundproofing material. This is an affordable price, ease of installation, good noise absorption coefficient. The disadvantages include the presence of loose and prickly elements.

2 Soundline-dB

Optimal combination of thickness and sound insulation properties
Country Russia
Average price: 1080 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Acoustic triplex Soundline-dB has unique soundproofing properties. It is made on the principle of an automobile windshield. A special sealant is applied between two moisture-resistant weighted drywall sheets (8 mm). Due to the elasticity of the layer, the sound flow is reduced due to the gradual absorption of waves. In other words, each drywall sheet oscillates on its own. The total sound insulation is much higher than that of the same two drywall sheets without an acoustic layer.

Testing of the material showed that it has the lowest flammability, toxicity, combustibility and smoke formation. Triplex Soundline-dB fully meets all the requirements of the sanitary and hygienic standards of the Customs Union.

Among the advantages of sound insulation it should be noted ease of installation, high degree of sound insulation (up to 69 dB), preservation of its properties up to 25 years, low cost.

Installation of triplex is in many ways similar to the creation of plasterboard structures. It is only necessary to select the appropriate self-tapping screws for the thickness of the sound insulation (17.5 mm). You should also make allowances for the large weight of the three-layer canvas.

The owners of houses and apartments in the reviews praise the soundproof qualities of the Soundline-dB triplex. It is easy to install, effective in combating noise, has a small thickness. Among the shortcomings can be noted a lot of weight and bulkiness.

1 ZIPS-III-Ultra

Best Sandwich Panel
Country Russia
Average price: 1525 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The use of the ZIPS-III-Ultra sandwich panel allows you to comprehensively solve the problems associated with extraneous noise. Due to the exact size of the sheet (1200x600x42 mm), any homeowner will quickly calculate the need for a particular room. It is also worth considering that the kit comes with the necessary set of hardware for fasteners. These are traditional dowels, anchors, washers and self-tapping screws. The soundproofing system itself is a combination of gypsum fiber and staple fiberglass. The role of the support is played by 8 vibration isolators. They protrude in a free state by 10 mm in relation to the plane of the sheet. During installation, they are pressed with drywall. As a result, the total thickness of sound insulation and plasterboard is 55 mm.

To install a soundproofing layer on the walls, you need to stock up only with a puncher, a screwdriver and a hacksaw. Thanks to the frameless system, it will be possible to save on the crate. The sandwich panel comes with clear installation instructions. The sound insulation layer can be covered with ordinary plasterboard sheets.

Domestic owners of apartments and houses call ZIPS-III-Ultra panels the best soundproofing option. It is efficient, inexpensive and thin. After soundproofing, many managed to forget about loud neighbors, their dogs and sounds from a busy street.

Constant noise is an obligatory companion of residents of large cities. Some people get used to banging doors, overhead steps and working TVs behind the bedroom wall, but most citizens try to protect themselves from too aggressive acoustics by installing a soundproofing system in their apartments. Modern soundproofing materials for houses and apartments allow you to counteract almost all types of noise: airborne, shock and structural.

Peculiarities

It is not the presence of noise as such that brings discomfort to a person, but the excess of permissible sound power values. With a noise of 25-30 dB, the human body feels most comfortable, as sound stimuli increase, the attitude towards noise changes to tolerant, which it remains until the power reaches 60 dB. When this index is exceeded, noise becomes an aggressive irritant that can significantly affect the state of the psyche.

In modern cities, noise can have a different nature:

• Airborne noise includes barking dogs, voices, medium and high frequencies of music, the noise of cars, etc.
• Impact noise includes low frequencies of music (subwoofer), furniture rearrangement, indoor walking, hammer drills and other construction tools.
• Structural noise is a mix of the above noises, which is the transmission of vibrations from all types of sound effects through the structures of buildings.
• Acoustic noise occurs in half-empty rooms, this is a familiar echo for everyone.

Accordingly, for protection against each type of noise, soundproofing materials with certain physical characteristics are required: sound absorption and sound insulation.

One of the most important is the sound absorption coefficient, which is determined on the basis of acoustic tests carried out for each building material. The maximum is 100% sound absorption, which is characterized by a coefficient value of 1. This indicator is directly related to the degree of density and allows us to distinguish the following categories:

• Solid materials, which include granulated or suspended mineral wool, as well as vermiculite, perlite or pumice. These materials have an average absorption coefficient of 0.5 and a fairly high bulk density of approximately 400 kg/m3.
• Semi-rigid: mineral or glass wool boards, as well as materials with a cellular structure, such as polyurethane foam, etc. The sound absorption coefficient varies between 0.5-0.75, the mass can be from 80 to 130 kg / m3, depending from variety.
• Felt, fiberglass and mineral wools, not pressed in the form of plates, are considered soft. They have a high absorption coefficient - 0.7-0.95 with a bulk density within 70 kg/m3.

In order to successfully deal with noise, it is also necessary to take into account such an indicator as the sound insulation index of the material. It is measured in the same value as noise - in decibels (db) and calculated for each type of building materials: concrete, plasterboard, brick, foam blocks, mineral wool, etc. A monolithic floor slab, which has a thickness of at least 200 mm, has a sound insulation index 74 db. For a new brick wall with a thickness of half a brick (150 mm), the maximum index is 47 dB, which decreases over time due to the appearance of cracks and cracks.

To prevent the audibility of human speech, the wall must have a sound insulation index of at least 50 dB. Accordingly, thin walls in panel houses that do not satisfy this indicator must be further strengthened.

You can do this in several ways:

• build additional dense and massive walls or ceilings, for example, from foam blocks, while maintaining maximum tightness;
• create a multi-layer structure from several soundproofing materials, alternating soft and hard types for maximum suppression of all types of noise and observing the rules of tightness;
• use ready-made soundproof panels made of materials of various densities and structures and designed for a wide frequency range of sound waves.

Due to the fact that the arrangement of powerful walls / partitions made of brick or concrete requires a corresponding foundation capacity, these indicators must be included in architectural calculations at the stage of drawing up construction and design documentation.

In cases where it is necessary to enhance the soundproofing qualities of an already built wall or to erect soundproofing partitions in an apartment, either ready-made soundproofing panels are used, or prefabricated structures made of various modern materials are mounted directly on site.

Varieties

Modern varieties of materials for sound insulation are usually considered in terms of resistance to a particular type of noise.

Materials that successfully resist impact noise are called sound repellent because they do not absorb but repel sound waves. Most often, such materials are used in the construction of "floating floors" as a substrate.

Modern industry provides a huge selection of insulating substrates:

• Staple fiberglass. The material belongs to the class of durable, has a high impact noise reduction index - 42 dB, non-flammable. This category includes such material as "Shumostop - C2".
• The membrane is polymer-bitumen. The base is a soundproofing layer made of non-woven polyethylene, on the surface of which a coating of bitumen with plasticizers-polymers, reinforced with glass fiber, is applied. The material is resistant to decomposition and rotting, vapor-permeable, has an impact noise reduction index of 26-39 dB (depending on thickness). Combustibility group - G2. FonoStop Duo and Izolonteip can serve as a striking example.
• Fiberglass canvas with one-sided bituminous impregnation. Designed for long service life, waterproof and fire resistant material. Noise reduction index - within 23-29 dB. This variety includes fiberglass brand "Shumanet", as well as "Isofon-super".

• Extruded polystyrene foam. This is a durable material (designed for 50 years), which has a noise reduction index of 25 dB, is characterized by low water absorption and high compressive strength, a minus can be called a high fire hazard index - G1. These are brands such as Fombord, Penoplex, TISplex plates, etc.
• Composite. This material consists of three layers: between the layers of polyethylene or aluminum film there are polystyrene foam granules. The peculiarity of the composite is that the lower film has the ability to pass moisture into the interior, from where it is removed through expansion joints. Thus, the space is ventilated. The service life is 20 years, the noise reduction index is in the range of 18-20 dB, the material is not combustible. These are such brands as Tuplex, TermoZvukoIzol, Vibrofilter.
• Cork rubber backing. These are mats made of rubber granulate and cork chips. The material has an average fire safety (combustion class B2), however, it can contribute to the appearance of mold in structures, and therefore requires additional waterproofing. Noise reduction index - from 18 to 21 dB. These are materials such as UZIN RR 188, Utsin RR 188, Ibola.

• Cork underlay. The material, which is produced from pressed cork chips, is not subject to rotting and fungus, the service life reaches 40 years. Reduces impact noise by 12 dB. An example is Cork Roll, Corksribas, Ipocork, etc.
• Polyester foam. Synthetic fiber material, impregnated on both sides with a reinforcing fiberglass composition, has a high vapor permeability, allowing the surfaces to "breathe", the sound insulation index is 8-10 dB. Flammable (class G2).
• Polyethylene foam ( foam polyethylene). There are non-crosslinked polyethylene foam, which has the least soundproofing effect; physically cross-linked and chemically cross-linked, the soundproofing quality of the latter variety is the highest. The material has a high flammability class - G2, is destroyed when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, sags under prolonged loads, and is resistant to mold. The sound insulation index varies from 12 to 15 dB. These are brands such as Isopenol, Pleneks, Izolon and many others.
• Tecsound. Thin synthetic material on an elastic polymer base, used to isolate two types of noise: air and vibration (shock). It is a self-extinguishing and moisture-resistant material, has a sound insulation index in the range of 25-30 dB. Effective in suppressing noise from a metal roof.

Separately, it is worth considering materials that dampen impact noise and are used for the installation of acoustic ceilings:

• Perforated sound-absorbing Knauf plates. This is a drywall-based material, on one side having a synthetic fabric backing with resonator holes. Thickness 8.5 mm, fire hazard class - NG. As test tests show, these plates are designed to extinguish low-frequency waves.
• Plates "Ecofon", which are a "sandwich" of high strength fiberglass, additionally reinforced with a mesh of textiles. Available in thicknesses from 15 to 40 mm, non-flammable.

In the event that airborne noise is primarily a concern, it is worthwhile to identify gaps and cracks in the wall structure and eliminate them. If, having ensured the maximum possible tightness of the existing wall, it is not possible to achieve the desired effect, it is necessary to create additional sound insulation.

Modern sound-absorbing materials:

• Mineral (basalt) wool. This material is the result of the remelting of rocks of the basalt group, metallurgical slags, as well as their mixtures. Produced in the form of plates (mats). Having a fibrous structure and a short fiber length (15 mm), mineral wool provides a high absorption coefficient of sound waves - from 0.87 to 0.95; It has good vapor permeability and belongs to non-combustible, inert and biologically passive building materials. The following brands are most popular: Rockwool "Acoustic Butts", "Shumanet", "Izolight", "Basaltin", "TermozvukoIzol".

• Glass wool. Material based on glass fiber (average fiber size is 50 mm), having a sound absorption coefficient of 0.85 to 1 (for the Knauf "Insulation" acoustic partition, which is distinguished by a special combination of fiber lengths). It is produced in the form of plates, non-combustible, vapor-permeable, biologically and chemically inert. Compared to mineral wool, glass wool is lighter in weight. In the Russian Federation, such varieties as "Knauf Insulation", Ursa "Pureone 34 PN", Isover, etc. are presented.

• ZIPS(soundproof sandwich panels). These are frameless systems that can be purchased ready-made, effective against all types of noise. The composition is usually the same: GVL + fiberglass (mineral wool) + attachment points to the wall. These systems have a high sound insulation index, which largely depends on the thickness of the structure (ZIPS can be from 40 to 130 mm in size). When using a panel with a thickness of 70 mm, this is 10 dB. At the same time, the panel also has a high sound absorption coefficient due to the presence of mineral wool or glass wool inside. The disadvantage can be called a significant weight, requiring partitions with high bearing capacity.

The next type of soundproofing materials are those that "work" against the spread of structural noise. They are gaskets or compounds used during the installation of adjacent structures: ZIPS systems, wooden or "floating floors", frame partitions and claddings. Among them:

• Fiberglass. Produced from superfine fiber in the form of tape strips of various widths. It has a high impact noise reduction index - 29 dB. An example is such material as "Vibrostek M" or "Vibrostek V300", as well as stitched fiberglass mats "MTP-AS-30/50".
• Vibroacoustic sealant. Most often it has a silicone base, it can be both non-hardening and hardening. It has excellent adhesion to all types of building materials; when filling joints, it reduces the spread of structural noise. The following brands are most familiar to the domestic buyer: Green Glue, Vibrosil, Bostik 3070, Silomer, as well as vibration-absorbing mastic.

• Self-adhesive elastomeric gaskets for doors and windows. They are produced from porous rubber, microporous polyurethane, etc. in the form of plates or tapes, they are installed between structural elements and along the perimeter of openings to reduce vibration, they have a noise reduction index within 23 dB. As an example, we can name such brands as Varnamo, ArmaSound. Recently, similar materials have been actively produced by Russian enterprises, for example, Obninsgazpolimer LLC.
• Silica fibre. This material is the most fireproof, while having a high noise insulation index - 27 dB. Available in mats and rolls. The following brands are most popular: Vibrosil-K, Supersil, Ekowoo.

Scope of application

The properties of soundproofing materials have the widest range of applications. Most of them are used not only for their intended purpose, but also as a heater. Basically, this applies to all types of mineral wool, glass wool, fiberglass, polyester foam, sandwich panels and cork substrates.

How exactly to use this or that soundproofing material so that it “works” as fully as possible should be decided by a professional who is able to correctly assess the acoustic features and problems of a particular room. Perhaps the room needs sound-absorbing flooring to avoid conflicts with downstairs neighbors, or the walls need to be completely insulated when setting up a home theater. It may be necessary to shield the bedroom from the noise coming from the street.

Therefore, it is recommended to seek advice from a construction and repair company dealing with soundproofing issues at a professional level, because it is easier to pay for the services of a competent expert assessment than to invest in repairs without being sure of the final result.

The greatest effect can be obtained by integrating one or another material into building structures directly during the construction of buildings, the construction of floors, walls and partitions:

• when laying mineral wool slabs in the cavity of partitions;
• by installing plates or tape gaskets between elements of building structures to absorb structural noise;
• when installing soundproof panels on the surface of the walls with their subsequent plastering;
• when arranging "floating floors", at the base of which there is a soundproofing material, followed by the installation of a reinforced cement-sand screed.

To improve sound insulation in already constructed premises, the following methods are used:

• Creation of a sound-proof layer on the surface of interfloor ceilings by placing mineral wool mats (glass wool) covered with either cement or prefabricated screed.
• Installation of soundproof frame structures, which is an alternation of plasterboard, mineral wool or glass wool slabs, as well as a superdiffusion membrane (if necessary), damper tape and vibroacoustic sealant.

• Placing soundproof sandwich panels on the walls. These are frameless systems that are sold ready-made. They usually consist of GVL sheets, between which there is fiberglass (mineral wool) and mounted nodes for attachment to load-bearing walls. The sealing of the structure is carried out by means of damper gaskets and sealant.
• Arrangement of "acoustic ceilings", which are mounted on a frame made of galvanized metal profiles. The structure consists of drywall sheets and mineral wool slabs and is fixed on vibration-isolating hangers. For sealing, gaskets are used in combination with vibrosealant. It is also worth considering the possibility of installing stretch ceilings with soundproofing effect.
• Installation of a “ventilated facade”, which is carried out on the outer wall of the building and additionally performs a heat-saving function.

How to choose?

The choice of any building material must be approached rationally. This fully applies to noise-absorbing materials, the properties of which should correspond as much as possible to the tasks that need to be solved. At the same time, it is desirable that the cost of the work does not "strain" the owner's wallet unnecessarily.

When arranging soundproofing, you should either trust a time-tested (and reviews of friends) repair company, or study the issue yourself or follow the recommendations of sales consultants. You can save money with each of these options.

Advantages of contacting a construction and repair company:

• an assessment of the problem and ways to eliminate it is carried out by a repairman (foreman), who recommends certain soundproofing materials;
• serious repair companies give a guarantee for the work performed (usually 3 years), so they offer materials and technologies that they are confident in;
• when contacting the company at that time of the year, which is not considered the construction season (late autumn, winter, early spring), the customer is offered a discount on the cost of work;
• large firms usually have trusted suppliers who often sell materials to customers at a discount.

Advantages of self-selection of materials and work:

• in the process of studying the issue, useful knowledge is acquired that may be useful in the future;
• the buyer saves a significant amount on the payment of workers;
• you can spend the savings on the use of more expensive soundproofing materials.

Analyzing the problem of noise on your own, it is worth finding out what its nature is and whether it is airborne or impact noise.

These types of noise can be eliminated in almost any room and at any stage of repair / construction, in contrast to structural noise, which must be isolated at the stage of building construction.

Most often in residential premises there are noises of both types. For example, in the apartment below there is an office, whose visitors are constantly slamming doors and talking. In this case, we can talk about the totality of all three types of noise, which can be extinguished with the help of soundproofing the floor, including the use of two types of material - noise-absorbing and noise-repellent, with the obligatory use of damper pads, which can partially extinguish structural noise. This provides for the installation of acoustic "floating floors" with a layer of mineral wool at the base of at least 100 mm and a mandatory powerful screed on the surface.

Soundproofing "cardboard" walls is usually required to protect against airborne noise. This issue is solved through the use of frame or frameless systems made of plasterboard and mineral wool, the thickness of which is the greater, the stronger the sounds disturbing the residents. In the event that music is heard from behind the walls, noise-repellent material, such as extruded polystyrene foam or staple fiberglass, should also be added to the structure.

You can also enhance the effect by increasing the layers of GCR. In the case of using factory-made ZIPS, it is necessary to select a brand with high noise-repellent characteristics. Such structures have significant weight, so you need to make sure in advance that the walls are able to withstand such a load.

For a wooden house, materials are used that have the lowest flammability class (NG), resist the appearance of mold and fungus, are resistant to rodent attacks and, of course, vapor-permeable.

How to do it yourself?

It must be understood that the acquisition of even the best soundproofing materials in itself will not ensure silence in the room if the technology of their installation is violated. Achieving this goal will require proper installation, which acoustic professionals can provide. In the event that for some reason it is impossible to contact a construction company, you should carefully study the recommendations in order to carry out soundproofing work with your own hands. The use of improvised means as an insulating material, most likely, will not give the desired result.

For the correct installation of soundproof cladding, exactly those materials are needed that are provided by the technology.

Necessary materials:

• guide and rack galvanized profile, which can replace wooden bars;
• suspensions (preferably the use of vibration suspensions);
• self-tapping screws, which for better soundproofing of structural noise should be equipped with rubber washers;
• damper pads in the form of a tape;
• vibroacoustic sealant;
• GKL or GVL sheets 12.5 mm thick;
• fiber boards: mineral wool, glass wool, having a thickness of 50 mm.

The soundproofing of walls "at a distance" will take from 50 to 120 mm of free space, which will have to be sacrificed in order to obtain acoustic comfort.

The sequence of work on the installation of structures of soundproof frame-sheathing partitions:

• Installation of a cushioning (damper) tape with a thickness of at least 4 mm along the contour of the mounted partitions. Gaskets are glued to the walls, floor and ceiling with a sealant.
• The frame is mounted according to the level, the guide profiles are set at a distance of at least 10 mm from the surface of the insulated walls.
• Rack profiles are mounted in increments of 600 mm, their length should be 10 mm less than the height of the room.
• Vertical posts intended for a doorway must be strengthened by locking two elements of the rack profile; it is possible to use wooden bars for these purposes.

• The internal space in the rack profiles is filled with mineral wool or glass wool slabs, while the slabs must be inserted as tightly as possible to avoid gaps.
• The frame is sheathed with GKL sheets with a step of 500 mm. In the case when 2 or 3 layers of sheathing are mounted, it is recommended to choose a GVL sheet that is more resistant to loads for the primary layer. Finishing facing is mounted with a step of 200-250 mm.
• A technological gap is left between the sheathing sheets and the ceiling / floor, which is filled with vibrosealant.
• Excess damper tape is trimmed flush with the finish layer of GKL sheets.
• When installing the door, the joints between the frame and the door frame are filled with sealant, a sealing tape must be installed on the surface of the frame at the points of contact with the door leaf.

The implementation of soundproofing the ceiling requires sufficient height in the room, since the structure occupies approximately 120 mm from the height of the room. Stages of work:

• A damper tape is glued to the surface of the walls adjacent to the ceiling.
• A guide profile is temporarily fixed along the perimeter of the walls with dowel-nails.
• Vibration-isolating suspensions are attached to the ceiling surface, the pitch is 800-900 mm. From the wall to the first suspension should be no more than 150 mm.
• Supporting profiles of the frame are fixed to the suspensions, the distance between which should not exceed 600 mm.
• Secondary profiles are mounted on the profiles of the first level, providing an air gap between the floor slabs and the insulating material.
• The dowel-nails holding the guide profile are removed (this is done to avoid the appearance of noise bridges).

• Sound-absorbing plates are installed in the frame.
• The first layer of ceiling sheathing is being carried out, while GVL sheets 10 mm thick are used.
• Seams between sheets are filled with vibroacoustic sealant.
• A second layer of sheathing is installed using GKL, which is mounted with a gap in the joints.
• Excess damper tape is cut with a construction knife, the seams are filled with sealant.

When installing floor soundproofing, several different technologies can be applied, depending on the materials used. The most popular technologies are "floating floors" Rockwool and the method of the company "Acoustic Group", based on the use of "Shumostop" plates.

Noise isolation of the floor (according to the Noise Stop system):

• The surface of the floors is being prepared: irregularities are smoothed out, construction debris is removed, adjacent communications are isolated using elastic gaskets or tape.
• Slab soundproofing material of the Shumostop brand is laid along the perimeter of the walls to prevent contact between the leveling screed and the building envelope. The height of the edge should slightly exceed the thickness of the screed. It is acceptable to use a damper tape to minimize the thickness of the seam between the screed and the wall.
• A layer of denser material is laid out around the perimeter of the room - this is Noise Stop K2.
• The floor surface is covered with the main working material - "Shumostop C2". Laying is done as tightly as possible, without cracks and gaps.

• The surface is covered with a reinforced polyethylene film, which is also lifted along the wall to the height of the edge. The joints are overlapped and glued with tape.
• A solution of a sand-concrete mixture of grade not lower than M-300 is laid out on the film, which is then reinforced with a reinforcing mesh (fragments of the mesh are necessarily fixed to each other).
• A concrete solution is poured over the grid, which is leveled using a plaster rule.
• After the screed has gained strength (on average, it takes 28 days to dry), the edge layer of the film and the damper strip are cut to the level of the screed.
• The resulting seam between the wall and the screed is filled with a vibroacoustic sealant.

It makes no sense to take a word for such statements, all the more unreasonable to check fashionable innovations on your own experience, since the cost of such soundproofing materials is usually quite high.

• If the dimensions of the room allow, then it is better to use a frame soundproofing system as having the largest number of positive reviews.
• In the event that frame-sheathed partitions are being built in the room, you can also worry about soundproofing equipment in advance: in this case, mineral wool slabs are mounted inside the partition and do not take up additional space.
• In cases where it is required to save the space or height of the room as much as possible, it is worth using ultra-thin materials from trusted manufacturers, for example, Rockwoll "Acoustic Butts Ultra-thin" or ZIPS ultra-thin sandwich panels.

• When carrying out work, it is necessary to achieve maximum tightness of structures, which will prevent both the appearance of sound bridges and the ingress of the smallest dust particles of mineral wool or fiberglass into the respiratory system.
• To fix vibration suspensions to the ceiling, it is desirable to use a special type of fastener - an anchor wedge with a plastic nozzle.
• When connecting communications, they must be tied with a sealing tape in order to avoid the preservation of the so-called "sound bridges".
• In wooden buildings, it is not recommended to erect soundproof partitions earlier than a year after the construction of the building. This is due to the process of primary shrinkage at home, during which it is not advisable to carry out work.

When purchasing materials through online stores, you should not start from the rating, it is better to compare the characteristics given in the tables that are present on the pages of all major trading platforms.

From a constructive point of view, partitions can be divided into two classes: single-layer and multi-layer.

Single-layer structures involve the use of some dense building material on a rigid binder (solution). These can be brick, gypsum, expanded clay concrete and even reinforced concrete partitions, where concrete plays the role of both a structural material and a binder. Despite the fact that a combination of several materials is possible in one partition, the presence of only dense materials will be decisive, subject to rigid connections between all structural elements (for example, a wall of pumice concrete blocks on a cement-sand mortar, lined with bricks).

The soundproofing characteristics of such structures are determined primarily by their mass and improve by about 6 dB with a doubling of the wall mass. The porosity of the partition material also plays a role in providing its soundproofing qualities. However, as practice shows, it is practically impossible to obtain a gain by increasing the porosity of the material due to more significant losses in sound insulation with a correspondingly decreasing surface density of such a material.

Multi-layer partitions, as the name suggests, consist of several (at least two) alternating layers of hard (dense) and soft (light) building materials. Dense materials (drywall, brick, metal) exhibit sound-proofing properties here and work similarly to single-layer partitions: the sound insulation is the higher, the greater the surface density of the material. Light layer materials perform a sound-absorbing function, i.e. the structure of the material should be such that when sound vibrations pass through it, the latter are weakened due to air friction in the pores of the material. It should be noted the low efficiency of the use of materials such as polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam or cork in soundproof partitions. This is due to the fact that for good soundproofing materials they have insufficient density, and for classifying them as sound-absorbing materials, their absorption is too low due to the lack of the possibility of air blowing.

The soundproofing ability of three-layer variants of multi-layer partitions (the most common example is a frame-sheathed plasterboard partition) depends on a larger number of factors than the sound insulation of a single-layer partition. An increase in the density of the material of rigid layers, an increase in the distance between the extreme layers (i.e. an increase in the total thickness of the partition) and filling the internal space with layers of a special sound absorber (namely, an absorber, not a heater) are the main ways to achieve the necessary sound insulation.

To realize the full potential of multilayer structures, the requirement of layer-by-layer passage of sound through the thickness of the partition must be met. Simply put, ideally, the sound wave should pass first only through the first hard layer, then only through the soft layer, then only through the second hard layer, and so on. In practice, the mandatory presence of a supporting frame leads to the fact that the sound vibrations of the first rigid layer are transmitted through the common frame (or common foundation) to the last rigid layer and are re-emitted by it into the protected room. Thus, sound energy through the rigid elements of the frame successfully bypasses specially prepared internal sound-absorbing layers-traps, as a result of which the actual sound insulation of multilayer structures is significantly lower than the calculated values.

In the process of considering the soundproofing ability of these types of partitions, the question inevitably arises: what type of partitions has the best sound insulation at the smallest thickness, weight and cost? The traditional answer sounds like this: multilayer frame partitions are preferable as internal enclosing structures. With a much smaller weight (which is very important for reducing loads on ceilings and foundations) and thickness, they have almost the same (and sometimes more) airborne sound insulation index (Rw) than single-layer structures.

However, it is important to understand the nature of the airborne sound insulation index. Rw is a kind of average value with which you can quickly and fairly objectively compare the soundproofing characteristics of building structures in relation to the isolation of so-called "domestic noises", that is, noises such as the sounds of a voice, a working TV, a rattling of dishes, a phone call or an alarm clock.

With regard to music centers with "Mega Bass" systems, home theaters equipped with powerful subwoofers, and high-quality music listening systems, the choice of partition design based only on the value of the Rw index does not seem to be entirely correct. As, however, the whole system of standardization of sound insulation of building structures, which regulates the parameters of their insulation in the frequency range from 100 Hz and above. But today, almost any high-quality sound reproduction system has a frequency range starting from 20-40 Hz.

Figure 1 shows the sound insulation graphs of a single-layer (non-plastered half-brick wall) and multi-layer (partition of plasterboard) structures. In terms of airborne sound insulation indices Rw, a plasterboard partition (Rw = 48 dB) exceeds a brick wall (Rw = 45 dB) by 3 dB. At the same time, the thicknesses of the two structures are almost equal: the thickness of the brick wall without plaster is 120 mm, and the thickness of the plasterboard partition is 125 mm. However, as can be seen from the graphs, at frequencies up to 200 Hz, the sound insulation of a brick wall is superior to the sound insulation of a plasterboard partition. And, in general, this pattern is true for almost all single-layer and multilayer structures of the same thickness. At the same time, sound insulation of multilayer structures can already significantly exceed the insulation of single-layer partitions already in the mid-frequency range (it is precisely due to this that the Rw index increases).

Therefore, when choosing the design of internal partitions, it is necessary to clearly understand what types of noise and from what sources these partitions are intended to isolate.

Soundproofing characteristics of partitions

Despite some shortcomings of the Rw airborne noise insulation index, it is certainly a very convenient parameter for a quick comparison of the sound insulation of various partition structures with each other and with the normative values ​​of the sound insulation of enclosing structures.

On the territory of the Russian Federation, SNiP II-12-77 "Protection from noise" is still in force, and in Moscow since 1997, supplementing and clarifying MGSN 2.04 - 97 "Permissible levels of noise, vibration and sound insulation requirements in residential and public buildings" have been in force . Despite the fact that the MGSN introduced the division of buildings into categories of comfort (A, B and C), there were no significant changes in terms of the requirements for sound insulation of walls and partitions. For example, the requirement for standard airborne noise insulation by interior partitions, regardless of the class of housing, remained at the level of Rw = 43 dB, as it was 25 years ago, and the requirement for the airborne noise insulation index of an interroom wall was tightened by only 2 dB, and only in relation to buildings of the category A (highly comfortable conditions). That is, the airborne sound insulation index of the inter-apartment wall in such a building should be at least Rw = 54 dB, against Rw = 52 dB previously required for residential buildings of all types. But the noise background in apartments (not counting powerful sources, such as cinemas or Hi-End) over the past decades, at least in our country, has grown significantly. Currently, almost every house and every room has a TV, telephone, radio, and in the kitchen and bathroom there is a washing machine or dishwasher, extractor hood and air conditioning. The home computer also contributes to an increase in overall background noise.

Available experience suggests that for modern conditions, the airborne sound insulation index of an interroom partition should be at least Rw = 52 dB, and an inter-apartment wall - at least Rw = 62 dB. Only with such normative values ​​of enclosing structures can we talk about acoustic comfort. However, even a wall with Rw = 62 dB will not completely solve the problem of soundproofing the bedroom if the neighbor decides to watch a new action movie in his cinema. Practice shows that the average sound level when watching a movie in a home theater is LA = 90 dBA. Thus, in the bedroom, the noise level will be in the region of LA = 30 dBA. And although this roughly corresponds to the limit value of the night norms for the noise level in residential premises (LAlimit = 30 dBA), in order to really be able to talk about a barely audible or even inaudible sound, the noise level in the room should not be higher than LA = 20 dBA.

It is interesting that the noise penetrating from the street (primarily from vehicles), and significantly (by more than 6 dBA) exceeding the noise from neighbors, causes much less irritation than weaker sounds: music, screams, laughter, etc. This is due to the psychophysiological characteristics of human hearing, and in the struggle for the acoustic comfort of a home, this also has to be taken into account.

What designs of internal partitions with an airborne sound insulation index of at least 50 dB can be offered? First of all, these are light frame partitions with sheathing made of plasterboard (GKL) or gypsum fiber (GVL) sheets. From the point of view of sound insulation, the use of GVL sheets is preferable. First, they have a higher (almost one and a half times) surface density. Secondly, due to the production technology, this material has higher internal losses, i.e. is less loud. However, due to the more complex finishing technology, the vast majority of builders, unfortunately, prefer the use of gypsum boards.

To obtain high noise insulation, it is necessary to use two independent frames, on each of which the outer layers of the skin are mounted. In addition, the frame elements associated with the side walls and ceilings must be insulated with elastic pads to prevent indirect sound transmission.

The overall soundproofing effect also depends on the choice of the material of the middle layer. The main criterion for choosing such a material is the value of its dimensionless coefficient NRC (NRC - frequency-averaged sound absorption coefficient), the values ​​​​of which can range from 0 to 1. The closer the NRC value is to unity, the higher the sound absorption capacity of the material. For maximum effect, it is recommended to choose materials with an NRC of at least 0.8. So, for example, a special sound-absorbing material - mineral plate "Shumanet-BM" has a value of NRC = 0.9. The thickness of the absorbing layer should be at least 50% of the internal space of the partition and be no thinner than 100 mm (naturally, with a frame thickness of 50-75 mm, only one sound absorber layer 50 mm thick can be used).

The airborne noise insulation index of a frame-sheathed partition made of two 12 mm GVL sheets on each of two independent frames 50 mm thick with an air gap between the frames of 10 mm is about Rw = 53 dB. In this case, the internal space is filled with sound-absorbing cotton wool 100 mm thick and the total thickness of the structure is 160 mm.

Brick partitions made of solid red brick, plastered on both sides, have the following sound insulation index values:

• half-brick wall (thickness with plaster 150 mm) - Rw = 47 dB;
• wall in one brick (thickness with plaster 280 mm) - Rw = 54 dB;
• wall in two bricks (thickness with plaster 530 mm) - Rw = 60 dB.

Thus, to isolate "domestic" noise, it is more preferable to use a light GVL partition 160 mm thick, which has a sound insulation level comparable in value to the same parameter of a more massive wall one brick thick (280 mm).

Reasons for reducing the sound insulation characteristics of partitions

Probably, there is not a single article devoted to the problem of soundproofing light partitions, no matter where it is said about the importance of installing elastic gaskets at the junction of the frame guide profiles to walls and ceilings. However, in practice, builders who would conscientiously carry out such activities are extremely rare. As a rule, the need to install such gaskets is realized after installation and processing of all surfaces, when it is not possible to change anything.

In addition to worsening the sound insulation of partitions, the absence of elastic pads along the fastening contour leads to increased transmission of indirect noise from other rooms and floors. Even if there are no complaints about sound insulation in relation to the neighboring room, such a partition can present an unpleasant surprise, re-radiating noise, for example, from neighbors above or below.

Here it is also appropriate to mention the transmission of indirect noise by single-layer structures. The undisputed leader among partitions with poor sound insulation is a wall made of gypsum blocks with a standard thickness of 80 mm. Not only that, its airborne sound insulation index does not exceed Rw = 40 dB, which is not enough even according to current standards (Rwnorm = 43 dB); but, among other things, the construction made of this material is an excellent conductor and emitter of structure-borne noise. As an example, we can cite a situation when in one of the rooms of the apartment, from the side of the wall made of plaster blocks, the sound of a neighbor's piano was heard. There was a complete impression that the musician lives in an apartment located nearby. What was the surprise of those present when it turned out that the piano was at the neighbors below!

The soundproofing properties of the seven-slot and multi-hollow red brick are not highly rated. This is the case when internal voids make a much more modest contribution to increasing sound insulation than reducing sound insulation by reducing the surface density of such a wall. In addition, partitions made of seven-slit bricks perfectly conduct and radiate sound. To reduce the transmission and emission of structural noise by a wall of this material, it can be recommended to fill the internal cavities of the bricks with sand.

The need to fill the internal space with a sound absorber during the installation of light partitions and claddings from GKL, unfortunately, is not an obvious fact for some builders. Since the problem of thermal insulation usually does not arise for internal partitions, very often the only "sound absorber" inside the partition is air. In this case, a significant reduction in the sound insulation of the structure (at its own resonant frequencies) is possible, when the partition becomes like a drum. Therefore, filling the interior space with sound-absorbing material is extremely important, and this should be a material with the highest possible sound absorption coefficient (preferably at least NRC = 0.8).

One of the typical reasons for reducing the sound insulation of partitions of all types are banal cracks and holes in structures. The presence of a small through crack in the corner of the inter-apartment wall is quite enough to hear the conversation of the neighbors without straining your hearing. In order to stop distinguishing words, it is only necessary to close up such a gap with a solution.

At the same time, I would like to dispel the myth about the good soundproofing properties of mounting foam. Due to the convenience of its use, there is a temptation to "foam" an unnecessary hole or gap. However, the soundproofing properties of the mounting foam are very weak, despite its porosity (but rather due to the latter). Therefore, a hole or a gap sealed in this way continues to radiate sound quite successfully, albeit with small losses. To eliminate cracks and holes, it is recommended to use acrylic or silicone sealants, especially since the latter have good elasticity - an important feature of the material for sealing all kinds of cracks.

It should be borne in mind that two layers of sheathing material provide greater tightness of the frame-sheathing partition than one layer of double thickness. At the same time, GVL or GKL sheets are mounted so that the seams of the first and second layers do not match (overlap).

Increasing the sound insulation of existing partitions

In case of insufficient sound insulation of a frame-sheathed partition made of plasterboard, first of all, it is necessary to consider the above "typical" reasons and eliminate them. If this is not possible for some reason, the only right solution is to install an additional frame cladding or use ready-made panels for additional sound insulation ZIPS.

In order to increase the sound insulation of a light partition by DRw = 10 dB, it is necessary to install an additional frame partition in parallel with it. Gypsum-fiber sheets 12 mm thick are mounted in two layers from the side of the protected room on a frame made of U-shaped metal profiles 100 mm wide. The inner space is filled with two layers of sound-absorbing Shumanet-BM wool, 50 mm thick each. In this case, the guide profile is mounted only to the floor, ceiling and side walls through the elastic gasket "Vibrosil" with a distance of about 10 mm from the existing wall in order to avoid contact with the frame elements (rack-mount profiles). The total thickness of the additional soundproofing structure is about 135 mm.

The same ΔRw = 10 dB can be obtained by mounting panels of additional sound insulation ZIPS 50 mm thick on the wall to be protected. The ZIPS panel is a ready-to-use sandwich panel (multilayer structure) where sound-insulating (GVL sheets) and sound-absorbing (ultra-thin fiberglass) layers alternate. The thickness of the soundproofing panel and the number of layers can vary depending on the requirements of a specific acoustic task (from 40 to 130 mm). The only condition for the applicability of ZIPS panels in this case is the sufficient bearing capacity of the original partition.

One of the main advantages of ZIPS panels is the exclusion of ways of indirect sound transmission to the panel, and thereby increasing its additional sound insulation. It is extremely rare that situations arise when only one wall common to two rooms emits noise. As a rule, along with it, noise is also re-radiated by all side walls, floor and ceiling ceilings. Of course, the sound intensity on them may be somewhat less, however, it is to them that the guide profiles of the additional GVL frame partition are mounted (even if through an elastic gasket). ZIPS panels do not have rigid connections along the contour, so they are effective not only in relation to noise passing through the wall on which they are fixed, but also to noise transmitted from side walls and ceilings.

If it is necessary to increase the noise insulation of a single-layer partition (brick wall, etc.), ZIPS panels are also one of the most effective means of additional insulation. The combination of a massive single-layer wall and a lightweight multi-layer cladding also solves the problem of noise isolation from sound sources with powerful low-frequency components. In this case, the brick wall determines the level of sound insulation at low frequencies, where only the mass of the barrier is decisive, and at medium and high frequencies, the ZIPS additional insulation panel comes into play.

All of the above is also true for additional frame cladding, but its effectiveness, other things being equal, is significantly lower due to the listed disadvantages.

Sleep badly and feel uncomfortable? Have you become annoyed for any reason? The best soundproofing materials for an apartment will help you cope with your problems and create the conditions for a good rest.

The reasons for poor sound insulation are:

• inadequacy of the construction of the house to the norms-standards;
• fencing failures. Voids and gaps reduce sound insulation;
• noise beyond measure in the apartments of neighbors or from the street from the outside.

Every owner of an apartment or house makes every effort to solve the inconvenience of everyday life and protect himself from unnecessary noise. Soundproofing is required to create comfortable living conditions, both in your home and to avoid conflicts. Active games for children, home theater, musical instruments - a partial list of objects and related activities for scandals.

To determine the choice of raw materials, it is necessary to establish the type of noise.

Distinguish:

• Air. Sounds transmitted from the outside by air: busy traffic, deafening music, industrial enterprises.
• Shock. Drilling walls, driving nails during repairs. However, specially designed insulation is necessary when carrying out systematic work using a jackhammer.
• Structural. The road transmits vibration to the walls of the apartment, converting it into decibels.

Attention! Noise from the motorway reaches 70 dB.
Soundproofing materials absorb sounds from the outside or prevent the spread from the apartment. It is required to find a suitable material for the interior of the room.

What to look for when choosing sound-absorbing material for your home?

When performing soundproofing work, the following should be taken into account:

• Room dimensions.

For small rooms - a children's room or a bedroom - a drywall sheet is suitable, which will not reduce the usable area. In spacious rooms, sound-absorbing multi-layer structures are installed in a special frame, which occupy a lot of space. Styrene, mineral wool or kraft cardboard.

• The purpose of the room.

Materials suitable for the bedroom should not be used in the kitchen, which is characterized by high humidity and temperature fluctuations. Select stable insulating materials.

• Invoice.

Its use in monolithic concrete houses differs from frame buildings. The quality of sound insulators depends on the price.

• Invoice quote.

It is required not only to correctly combine sound insulators and soundproofing materials, but also to take into account their qualitative properties. The purpose of the texture is the interior decoration of premises, therefore substances harmful to health are excluded from the composition: bitumen and lead, mercury and formaldehydes, volatile resins, EPDM compounds and volatile resins.

• Sealing joints and cracks.

The structures require integrity and solidity. Therefore, eliminate all unnecessary holes and holes. Unsealed connection, uninsulated air pipes, risers and sockets reduce sound insulation. Sealing joints with soft mastic or sealant.

• Qualified installation.

To achieve an effective result, competent mounting is required. Qualified workers in soundproofing, repair and decoration will come to the rescue. It is important that soundproofing based on design ideas matches the interior inside the apartment or house and does not interfere with engineering communications.

Popular firms

They choose soundproofing materials not only for the price, but also, focusing on the distinctive features of the structure, installation. The construction market offers a wide range of products. Particularly popular are the products of domestic and foreign manufacturers:

• MaxForte (Russia);
• Isover Ecophon (Sweden, Finland);
• Wolf Bavaria (Germany);
• Acoustic Group (Russia);
• Acoustic Wool (Ukraine);
• Mappy (Italy);
• Rockwool (Denmark);
• Techno Sonus (Russia);
• Texdecor (France);
• TechnoNikol (Russia).

Rating of high-quality soundproofing materials

Popular with consumers:

Blocks out 95% of noise, especially impact type. It is recommended to cover the walls without leaving cracks and gaps. The main thing is that the dimensions of the room allow installation work.

Advantages:

• Not combustible;
• universal application: for walls, floor, ceiling;
• durable.

Disadvantages:

• Hygroscopicity. Prevents use in rooms that are damp and humid;
• multilayer styling;
• the need to monitor the integrity of the edges.

Price - 773 rubles per pack.

cork cover

A novelty among building materials.

Advantages:

• moisture resistant;
• a variety of shades;
• environmentally friendly;
• antistatic;
• resistant to fungus and mold.

Disadvantages:

• not a budget option;
• flammable;
• subject to mechanical stress;
• burn out;
• difficulty in dismantling.

Price - 360 rubles per pack (2m2).

Termozvukoizol

Three-layer noise insulator. Inside there is a fiberglass canvas, the outer coverings are made of propylene. It is characterized by dense stitching of layers.

Termozvukoizol

Advantages:

• ecologicaly clean;
• easy to mount;
• fireproof;
• not susceptible to moisture and high temperatures;
• low thermal conductivity;
• not afraid of rodents and insects.

Disadvantages:

• makes it difficult to work during installation due to the large dimensions and thickness of the layer;
• installation is time consuming;
• not suitable for the ceiling.

The price for 1 roll (15 m2) is from 2,800 rubles to 4,800 rubles, depending on the brand.

About the advantages of using this material and the features of use - in the video:

polyurethane foam

Good sound insulator. The grooves provide a high degree of adhesion to the tightness of the surfaces.

polyurethane foam

Advantages:

• resistant to burning;
• non-toxic;
• not hygroscopic;
• neutral to the action of acids and alkalis;
• easy;
• long service life.

Disadvantages:

• susceptible to sun exposure;
• applied to dry and warm coating;
• darkens during use.

The price of PPU sandwich panels is from 1,138 rubles per m2.

Natural raw materials. Based on wood fiber. Dimensions 2.7×1. 2 m speed up the mounting process. One side without roughness, completely suitable for processing. The texture is able to make the walls even.

Advantages:

• environmentally friendly, does not cause individual intolerance;
• gives additional strength and rigidity to the structure;
• long service life;
• easy to install;
• easily cut with a knife.

Disadvantages:

• high price;
• you will not find in any store of building materials;
• not resistant to moisture.

Price - 630 rubles per sheet (3.24 m2).

More about the characteristics of the material - in the video:

A variation of kraft board incorporating wax paper and wood fibers. Excellent noise resistance up to 23 dB. A small thickness (1.2 cm) leaves the useful meters of the apartment almost unchanged. Bonding panels to wall surfaces.

Advantages:

• easy;
• high strength;
• cheap;
• convenient to use;
• frame is not required;
• eco-friendly.

Disadvantages:

• not suitable for rooms with high humidity;
• combustible;
• susceptible to attack by rodents and insects.

Price - from 25 rubles per kilogram.

MaxForte SoundPRO

This is the latest soundproofing material, produced in the form of a roll measuring 1.4x5 m. Its thickness is only 12 mm, while it is able to provide a high level of protection against shock and airborne noise. A specially laid aluminosilicate fiber provides such high performance. A significant property of this material is its complete incombustibility, which is confirmed by the appropriate certificate.

MaxForte SoundPRO

Disadvantages:

• Sold in rolls, cannot be bought by the meter;
• It is impossible to buy in retail stores, only through the manufacturer;
• High price.

Cost - 1090 rubles per 1 sq.m.

You can see how the material is mounted in the video:

A system without a frame for walls and ceilings, which includes sandwich panels. Attached to the wall. Models differ in layers: dense, light.

panel zips

Advantages:

• quick and easy installation;
• fire resistance;
• eco-friendly;
• produced from domestic materials;
• vibration neutralizer;
• finishing is possible.

Disadvantages:

• installation only on a flat surface;
• difficulty in wiring and installing sockets;
• inconvenient to use, can not withstand a weight of more than 5 kg;
• a large number of mounts affects the acoustic properties in the worst way.

The average price per panel is 1062 rubles.

Texound

New soundproof popular material. As part of the felt and polymer coating. Looks like rubber. Application: floor, ceiling, walls.

Texound

Advantages:

• a thickness of 3 mm allows you to save the useful footage of the room;
• flexible. Circular insulation is possible thanks to the material in the roll;
• range width from 28 dB. Considered one of the best;
• mass application not only in everyday life, but also in industry;
• is not subject to destruction;
• moisture resistant and resistant to temperature changes;
• long shelf life.

Disadvantages:

• sheet length - 5 meters;
• wall covering requires leveling and priming.

Price - 1320 rubles per meter.

Soundproofing for ceilings

Often it is not enough to stick the roll insulator. Cork or tile wallpaper will help solve simple problems. To soundproof the ceiling, you will have to give up the height of the apartment. The most effective technique is the construction of a ceiling structure.
Distinguish:

• stretch ceiling made of film or fabric, which is installed on pre-fortified brackets;
• false plasterboard ceiling. Mineral wool or other soundproofing material is placed in a metal frame attached to the ceiling;
• suspended ceiling. When installing the frame, soundproof fillers are used: cork, polyurethane foam blocks, coconut fibers, basalt wool cork. Closed with panels.

Practical video tips on installing ceiling soundproofing with your own hands:

Wall soundproofing

Before work, they inspect the wall and close up cracks and cracks. The fastest and most convenient way is to rub with cement. Pull out electrical outlets and check for voids. If necessary, lay with mineral wool, seal the hole with putty or cement before putting the outlet in place.

Soundproofing material and installation methods are selected according to the price, efficiency and quality of sound insulators, as well as the footage of the “eaten up” usable space.

A variety of textures are used for decorative soundproofing of walls. The construction services market provides a wide range of products. Are especially popular with consumers:

• drywall;
• soundproof panels;
• roll material.

Video instruction for working with spare parts panels for soundproofing walls:

Drywall installation

Assemble the frame. If the walls are thin, fix the profile on a rubber lining. Mineral wool or other material as a noise absorber is embedded in the prepared crate. The structure is covered with plasterboard sheets. Shpatlyuyut, finishing.

Assembling the soundproofing panel

With a perfectly even coating, the panel is installed immediately on the wall. Fastening thanks to the notch-protrusion lock or using construction adhesive. The problem of leveling the wall covering is solved in two ways: by assembling the frame, as is the case with mounting drywall or putty.

The panel installation is quite simple. No finishing required as surface coating is available. A variety of materials and colors: paper tapestries, fabric, wood or stone lamination.

Pasting of roll noise insulators

Save money and time. Convenient to use. Glue is used for dense vinyl or non-woven wallpaper. The work is not very difficult, the result is good for an inexpensive material. Rolled sound insulators cope with 60% of noise.

Sound insulation for partitions

As a rule, sheathing is used in two or three layers. Installation is carried out in various variations: drywall, plywood, glass-magnesite or gypsum-fiber sheet. The construction of 2 layers of gypsum boards with a gypsum fiber sheet has not only massiveness, but also positive resonant properties. Vertical fastening of sheets with screws at a distance of 25 cm, so that the layers are connected with a shift. The joining of the plates is sealed with putty or silicone sealant.

More about soundproofing partitions - in the video:

Frameless coating

ZIPS panels, unlike a metal frame, are attached directly to the wall. They present a sandwich consisting of dense plasterboard sheets and a plastic sound absorber made of staple glass wool.

For adhesion of the plates, a tongue-and-groove joint is used, for strengthening - a vibration-proof assembly. Plus: the minimum "eaten" usable space. Cons: expensive.

"Knauf Insulation Acoustic Baffle"

Mineral wool insulation in the form of slabs or mats. Possess the strengthened elastic qualities. The special production technology is reflected in the degree of sound absorption.

The product is an excellent sound insulator. It is used as a soundproofing texture for frame-cladding partitions.

Noise isolation for musicians

Acoustic foam rubber creates sound comfort in music studios at home, apartments, private houses. Copes with strong echo, unintelligible speech, musical accompaniment.

FLEXAKUSTIK soundproofing boards from a domestic manufacturer, Acoustic Group, are in demand among consumers-musicians.

They are made of acoustic foam rubber based on polyurethane foam. The thickness and varied relief surface have a positive effect on the aesthetic appearance of the product, contribute to obtaining the desired sound effect.

Advantages:

• original relief coating;
• safe for health;
• easy to use: gluing;
• comfortable acoustic "stub" of the room.

Disadvantages:

• expensive.

The average price is 1460 rubles per m2.

Soundproofing for a summer residence

Which company is better to choose? Will the purchase affect the family budget? Will it completely solve the soundproofing issues? Consumers are looking for answers to these questions before choosing a quality texture for a country house. It is impossible to answer unambiguously, since each material has its own qualitative characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and cost.

To avoid mistakes when choosing a product, one should take into account the suitability of the material for the intended purpose: absorption of airborne or impact sound. The first type corresponds to materials with a fibrous or granular base.

Advantages:

• inexpensive;
• lightweight;
• easy to mount.

Noise-insulating structures prevent extraneous noise from entering the apartment.

Disadvantages:

• massiveness;
• heavy weight;
• inconvenience in fastening.

Take into account the size of the rooms. In a small room - ultra-fast propagation of noise. Large-sized structures reduce useful footage.
Top Selling Materials
Do not go out of fashion:

• mineral wool and cork;
• sandwich panels ZIPS and Isoplat plates;
• panels for Kraft and Taxound walls.

Panels EcoSoundIzol

The production is based on quartz sand and a seven-layer cardboard profile. Acoustic mat thickness - 13 mm, weight up to 18 kg, sound insulation index - 38 dB.

Panels EcoSoundIzol

Advantages:

• frameless;
• stick on the wall;
• thin;
• are easily cut.

Disadvantages:

• heavy;
• during operation, the mineral filler may spill out.

Price - from 450 to 1500 rubles.

Mineral slabs Shumanet