To block noise in flats and houses, materials of high mass need to be used and partitions should be airtight. High mass reflects airborne noises, like talking and music, and so are integral to soundproofing. If air can flow through, using cracks and gaps, then so can sound. This is why preparatory work ahead of soundproofing is so important as you can identify and fix weak areas.
For lower frequency nose, isolation, or decoupling, should be used to separate two structures. This can be used for troublesome bass frequencies which can be hard to stop. Decoupling can involve materials such as closed-cell foam, rubber crumb strips, and, the most effective, isolation clips.
How does high mass block noise?
High mass blocks noise as sound doesn’t carry enough energy to pass through it and is reflected. Each level of mass will have a resonant frequency (a frequency at which it can be made to vibrate and transmit noise). This is why it is best to use build-ups of different levels of mass as it can reflect a broader spectrum of noise.
This is why acoustic-grade materials need to be used when soundproofing. Normal plasterboard has a lower mass than acoustic plasterboard so it resists less sound. Likewise, for mineral wool insulation to be considered acoustic, it needs a mass of 45kg/m3 or higher. Without this level of mass, it is not considered to have acoustic properties and reduce enough noise.
How to block noise through a flat ceiling
To block noise through a flat ceiling, it is best to create a new decoupled partition and to increase the mass. As a lot of impact noise (footsteps), is likely to be an issue through a flat ceiling, the new system needs to be removed from the existing structure. This reduces the transference of vibration energy as it pulses through the building structure.
A clip and channel system works best for this as each isolation clip is a mini shock absorber. MutClips come in different forms for ceilings, so even if you haven’t got a lot of headroom to lose, you can install this system. If you don’t use a clip and channel, the new partition transmits more of the impact vibrations straight through.
The layers of acoustic paneling that are added to the new channels then resist airborne noise (TV and music). Without the decoupled intervention, not enough of the impact noise can be stopped with the panels alone.
Block noise from neighbours
To block noise from neighbours, high-mass materials should be added to your wall or ceiling (for flats). You’ll find a selection of high-mass soundproofing panels, all of which provide a different level of protection. Acoustic plaster is a high mass version of regular plasterboard. To this, various soundproofing materials are adhered to increase performance.
Our MuteBoard 2 is acoustic plasterboard with a layer of Tecsound which is a visco-elastic membrane. Tecsound is effective against airborne and impact noises. Tecsound has a different level of mass to plasterboard and will resist a different range of frequencies. This is why we couple different materials together; together they resist a broader spectrum.
MuteBoard 3 is an acoustic plasterboard with mass-loaded vinyl and closed-cell foam for isolation. Our final soundproofing board, MuteBoard 4, has one additional layer of mass-loaded vinyl at a different level of mass from the first. These are most effective against noisy neighbours when they are installed onto a clip and channel system You can find a range of these over on our wall soundproofing page, which explains how much sound can be blocked by each solution.
How to block bass noise
To block bass noise, the hardest noise to block, the soundproofing must be decoupled. Decoupling is when the new partition is isolated from the original wall or ceiling. This can be referred to as a ‘floating ceiling’ or ‘room within a room’. The idea is simple and effective: reduce the points of contact between structure A and structure B so fewer vibrations can be transmitted.
The materials that support the new partition and make contact with the existing wall need to act as shock absorbers. This is why a clip and channel solution is so effective; two layers of silicone make contact with the wall and absorb vibrations that are passing through it. The clip reduces the amount of vibrations that can radiate into your room.
Bass frequencies need this level of soundproofing as they carry the most energy. If you intended to insulate your room from bass noises only with materials of high mass, you probably wouldn’t have much space left! This is why a clip and channel are the most effective solutions for space used. To make a further improvement, an additional independent stud wall can be built in front of the existing wall. However, this is going to take up more space, so consider how much noise you need to block first.
Do soft furnishings block noise?
No, soft furnishings do not block noise. Soft furnishings absorb noise which reduces reverberation (echo), however, this does not control the transmission of sound. This is the difference between soundproofing, which blocks noise, and sound absorption which attenuates noise. This means that a room with good absorption can still hear noises from outside the space. To block noise, materials with a high mass should be used instead.
Understanding the difference between soundproofing and sound absorption is important so you make the correct purchases. It will also prevent you from covering your room in egg boxes and expecting a miracle to occur! We have a blog that clearly explains the difference between absorption and soundproofing.
How to block noise from a shared wall
To block noise from a shared wall, you will need to soundproof it with panels, acoustic mineral wool, and clip and channel for best results. You can block noise through a shared wall without a clip and channel, but it depends on your noise problem and how loud it is. Acoustic panels will reflect airborne noises, like music and TV, up to around 10 dB (which is similar to a halving of your noise). However, if your neighbours make a racket, you won’t benefit from 10dB reduction all that much.
In that case, and in the case of bass frequencies, a clip and channel would be the preferred solution. This will resist more noise and provide better soundproofing for your problem. Party walls often need soundproofing as your neighbour could have a wall-mounted TV, loud children or just a busy household.
Are there laws for soundproofing?
Yes, in the UK the Part E document sets standards for buildings and conversions made from 2003 onwards. The detailed set of regulations covers the resistance to the passage of sound between walls and ceilings in houses, flats, rooms for residential use, and more.
If your home was built (or converted into flats), from 2003 onwards then you might be protected by Part E. If you have a noise issue between a partition covered in the document, you should contact either your landlord, building warranty provider, or local council building regulations. Should the partitions fail the sound tests, then the builder or warranty provider may have to pay for remedial work.