In panel houses, and especially in old ones, the level of sound absorption leaves much to be desired. The use of special materials can help to solve this problem quite effectively. If desired, such work is easy to do on your own. What soundproofing materials for walls, floors and ceilings are best to choose in this or that case? Let's take a closer look at this.
Types of noise
Extraneous sounds penetrate the apartment in many ways. Reduce the level of comfort of living can:
- Airborne noises. These are extraneous sounds from the street (for example, the noise of cars) or from neighbors (music, loud TV, etc.).
- Impact noise. Such a sound is transmitted through the structural elements of the building (for example, stomping from above).
For each of these types of extraneous noise, there are different types of sound insulators. About which ones, and we'll talk further.
How to get rid of the airnoise
To protect against this type of sound, it is best to use soundproof wall materials that have a fibrous structure. Usually in this case, mineral or glass wool is used. The principle of operation of such insulators is extremely simple. Passing through the fibers, the sound wave causes the air molecules to vibrate. As a result of their friction against the pores of the material, the latter is heated. Thus, sound energy is simply converted into heat. The more active the friction, the more significant the effect of noise absorption will be. Therefore, a very important parameter for such materials is their density. The larger it is, the greater will be the energy loss of the sound wave. Another important parameter is the fiber thickness of the material. The thinner it is, the more active the friction will be, and therefore the higher the sound absorption.
When choosing mineral or glass wool, it is very important to pay attention to the manufacturer. The fact is that the fibers in such materials are combined with substances containing formaldehyde resins that are harmful to he alth. In quality materials, they are much less. At the moment, ecowool can also be found on sale. It is absolutely environmentally friendly material.
What should I use to deal with percussive sounds
In this case, porous soundproofing materials for walls are usually used. It can be, for example, polystyrene foam or polystyrene. Such materials are obtained by the method of swelling or foaming of polystyrene or some other raw material. From airborne noiseporous insulators, unfortunately, are of little help.
This kind of building materials is also not completely environmentally friendly. Styrofoam and expanded polystyrene are capable of releasing harmful substances into the air. The fact is that not harmless components are used in their production. In particular, poisonous styrene. Polymerizing, this chemical becomes completely harmless. However, any foam boards always contain a small amount of it in a free state. So polystyrene and expanded polystyrene are not the best soundproofing materials for the walls of an apartment. According to the regulations, they cannot be used indoors at all. Therefore, either buy products of famous brands, or - which is better - sheathe the walls with other material. For example, natural cork.
Complex options
On sale you can also find soundproof materials for walls in the apartment, protecting both from shock and airborne noise. Most often they have a multilayer structure. Very often, for example, ZIPS panels are used to insulate the walls of an apartment. They are structures made of alternating layers of mineral wool and gypsum-fiber sheets. Plate thickness may vary. The number of layers also varies. Such panels are mounted not in a frame that perfectly transmits impact noise, but on special vibration-proof attachment points. Their thickness, depending on the level of sound absorption (56-65 dB), can vary from 53 to 133 mm. Finishing layer is made of drywall 1.25see
In addition to being effective in isolating the apartment from extraneous sounds, these panels are also distinguished by such advantages as ease of installation and a rather high level of environmental safety. If desired, this type of insulation can be finished on top with absolutely any modern finishing material.
Multilayer soundproof wall materials: reviews
The opinion of the consumer about the ZIPS panels has been very good. It is believed that they absorb both shock and airborne noise very well. Only the cost of this insulator does not suit the owners of problem apartments too much. Therefore, it is usually advised to purchase such panels only for ceiling sheathing. It is better to insulate walls with bas alt material in a profile frame.
Mineral and ecowools
Such soundproof materials for walls will cost you much less than panels. However, as already mentioned, they will not save from impact noise. Mineral wool is usually installed either in a metal frame or in a wooden one. Additional fastening is carried out using plastic "fungi". The most popular types of bas alt sound insulators are: cotton wool "Shumanet", "Akmigran" and "Akminit". Finnish Acousto-Melody and Acousto-Pop are also considered a very good option.
Ecowool is a unique material consisting of fluffy antiseptic wood. This item is sold in packs. To insulate walls, liquid plaster is made from it.
Reviews on mineral and ecowool
"Schumanet" is one of the soundproofing materials, about which the consumer has a very good opinion. It is not too expensive and can be used for sheathing both walls and ceilings. In the first case, it is installed in the frame. In the second, not on fungi, but inside a suspended plasterboard structure. In this case, the frame must be fastened through vibration-absorbing elements. "Shumanet" is perhaps the best soundproofing material for the walls of the apartment at the moment.
There are also a lot of positive reviews about ecowool. Waste-free installation, seamlessness of the layer and, of course, the absence of harmful fumes are especially noted. Ecowool does not sag and can be used in houses with walls made of absolutely any material.
DIY wall soundproofing materials
Very interesting is the fact that ecowool, if desired, can be made independently. To do this, you will only need waste paper and an old activator washing machine. In the latter, instead of blades, a system of knives is installed. Waste paper crushed into fluff is additionally impregnated with fire-resistant compounds. Unfortunately, newspaper wadding will contain lead.
Which cork panels to choose
There are only two main varieties of such a sound insulator:
- Cork wallpaper. This is a thin soundproofing material for walls, quite inexpensive and easy to install. In this case, a thin cork is simply glued onto the cardboard.layer. It is better to purchase products from well-known manufacturers.
- Cork tiles. This variety can be used for soundproofing both walls and ceilings. It delays noise more effectively, but it also costs more than wallpaper.
Cork soundproofing materials for walls in an apartment are used quite often. Their main advantages, among other things, include elasticity and durability (up to 40 years).
So what material to choose
From all of the above we can draw the following conclusions:
- To insulate the ceiling, you should purchase ZIPS panels. This material effectively absorbs impact noise, which usually comes from above.
- Walls can be covered with Schumanet mineral wool or plastered with a mixture of ecowool.
- Cork is best for the floor.
You should not use foam plastics and polystyrene foam for soundproofing an apartment from the inside. Firstly, these materials are not particularly effective in this case, and secondly, they can release very harmful substances into the air.
More things to do
Sheathing of walls, ceiling and floor will not give the desired effect if additional measures are not taken in the apartment aimed at soundproofing window and door openings. In the first case, it is imperative to use high-quality double-glazed windows. It is best to put plastic windows with 3-5 cameras and an outerglass with a minimum thickness of 5 mm. As for doors, today special models with sound insulation are produced. In the latter case, mineral wool is inserted into the canvas.
