Loft & Internal Wall Acoustic Insulation

How to Soundproof a Stud Wall

Building a stud wall comes with many challenges, but one of the biggest is soundproofing. It’s worth noting here that it’s much easier to build a soundproof internal wall than to add soundproofing to existing walls.

How Does Sound Travel Through Walls 

Sound waves travel through the air, but they’re really a form of energy, which we can feel as vibrations. When these sounds come into contact with a wall, they cause minute vibrations on the surface. If the wall isn’t completely soundproofed, those vibrations will squirm through to the other side and return to the air.

The transition of sound through a solid structure like a wall distorts the waves slightly, resulting in that muffled sound. In stud walls that haven’t been adequately soundproofed or insulated, the space inside can echo the sound, which can potentially amplify noise. Therefore, soundproofing is crucial.

Minimum Requirements for Soundproofing Stud Walls

All internal stud walls in the UK must have soundproofing up to 40 decibels (dB) to comply with regulations. However, soundproofing to this minimum requirement wouldn’t be enough to stop bird calls or even noises from household appliances like fridges from passing through.

Soundproofing Methods for Stud Walls

Because the minimum requirements are so low, many people want additional soundproofing for their stud walls. There are several options available:

• Acoustic plasterboard –  This form of plasterboard is no thicker than traditional alternatives, but it is denser, which stops sound waves and vibrations from passing through as freely.
• Isolated studs – Studs themselves are a great channel for sound vibrations to pass through. To stop that movement, you can build with isolated and alternative studs that don’t stretch from one end to the other.
• Insulation – One of the best ways you can improve the acoustic protection of a stud wall is by adding mass. Insulation is the number one way to add density to a stud wall. Ensure there are no empty cavities by filling the spaces with as much insulation as possible to ensure no space for sound to travel freely.

What Insulation is Best for Soundproofing?

Acoustic partition rolls (APRs) are a popular option thanks to their easy storage and high quality. Most acoustic rolls are designed to fit between common stud partitions, making them easy to install in most builds.

Among our product selection, you’ll also find solid acoustic insulation slabs for stud walls. These tend to offer a higher degree of soundproofing as they’re denser, but they are also more challenging to handle and transport. In most home circumstances, an acoustic roll will do the job fine, especially when combined with things like acoustic plasterboard.