What is the best way to soundproof an apartment? How to soundproof an apartment. Plasterboard sound curtain

What is the best way to soundproof an apartment?  How to soundproof an apartment.  Plasterboard sound curtain
What is the best way to soundproof an apartment? How to soundproof an apartment. Plasterboard sound curtain

- this is a solution to many problems, because people often complain about noise from neighbors, sounds from the street, etc., which interferes with their rest. Even the most comfortable apartment cannot guarantee complete peace inside it. To protect yourself from noise, it is necessary to carry out sound insulation. Moreover, the process itself is quite simple, so you can complete everything yourself.

Permissible noise standards

Nowadays, many materials have been created that can protect an apartment from outside noise. The most popular are the following:

  1. Drywall.
  2. ZIPS panels and ecowool.
  3. Ceiling panels.
  4. Suspended ceiling.
  5. Roll materials.

Sound insulation itself works in 2 directions. Firstly, it is soundproofing, that is, all sounds from neighboring rooms are reflected. As a result, the person will not hear anything. Secondly, this is sound absorption, that is, sound waves are absorbed, so that the neighbors will not hear anything.

There are several types of noise. Airborne are those sounds that are transmitted only through the air. For example, these are conversations of neighbors, laughter, screams, etc. Such sounds enter the room through cracks, windows and doors. The impact sound penetrates through the walls themselves. For example, this could be the sound of a drill or other tools. Structural occurs due to vibrations. It also penetrates walls, just like the drum. Sources are Building tools. As a rule, both the percussive and the structural appear simultaneously.

Loudness is measured in decibels. There are permitted indicators that will be optimal for human perception. This is approximately 40-45 decibels. This sound does not harm the human body. An example would be a normal conversation. But this rule is only valid from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Then only a light whisper is suitable for a person, and this is approximately no more than 20 decibels.

Noisy businesses can produce sounds up to 85 decibels, but this is only the limit. Moreover, people can work in such conditions no more than 8 hours a day. It has been proven that during this time the sound will not cause harm to the human body. If the noise is stronger, then it is necessary to use special protective equipment.

The critical indicator is 110 decibels. When the level rises to 130 decibels, a person feels discomfort even on the skin. So it’s not at all surprising that apartment owners often suffer from the screams of their neighbors. But you can protect yourself from this by building sound insulation. In addition, you can do everything yourself, so you don’t have to hire a team of workers—even a beginner can handle the whole process.

Preparatory stage

You can easily insulate walls from noise with your own hands. First you need to determine in which room to install it. Then you need to select a surface. By the way, insulation is not always done only on the walls. If noise comes from ground floor, then you will have to register soundproofing material also the floor. The same applies to the ceiling if the neighbors above are noisy.

Preparing the wall begins with finding those places where there are cracks and crevices. It is through them that noise mainly passes through. They definitely need to be puttied. This is very important, since even the walls themselves after such a procedure will better absorb noise and not let it into the room.

Next important point are sockets, since various sounds also penetrate through them. This is especially true for panel-type houses. Before soundproofing, you must first turn off the electricity in the entire apartment. It is imperative to follow safety precautions. You can turn off the electricity on the panel, using the machine or simply pulling out the plugs. After this, you need to use a tester to check the outlet to be absolutely sure that there is no current in it. Then you need to disassemble it and pull it out. The hole in the wall should be filled with glass wool or mineral wool. Remember that flammable materials should not be used. Next you need to fix everything mortar, which hardens quickly. For example, regular plaster will do.

Now you need to start soundproofing the pipes. It is necessary to treat the places where they touch the wall. It is through the pipes that most noise penetrates into the rooms from the entrance. It is best to use a sealant for insulation, but it must be elastic. All seams between walls and pipes should be treated with this substance. By the way, you need to select a sealant that is also resistant to sudden temperature changes.

Algorithm of actions when using various materials

Procedure for arrangement DIY walls will vary depending on the materials used.

  1. Plasterboard structures. To do protective structure, special plasterboard sheets are required wooden slats, hardware for fixing profiles to walls, ceilings and floors. In addition, you still need to purchase in advance a profile for drywall, screws and special layers that will absorb noise. First you need to prepare the wall. Then you should create a frame on which the drywall will be attached in the future. The profile cannot be fixed directly to the wall. It is necessary to retreat about a couple of centimeters, laying special gaskets with anti-vibration properties under the profile. They are made from cork or rubber. When the frame has already been built, it is necessary to lay glass wool or mineral wool with sound-absorbing properties. Instead, slabs of this material are still suitable, but they must be semi-rigid. When choosing a material, you must pay attention to the sound absorption index. It is usually much higher for softer materials, so these options are more effective. After installing the sound-absorbing layer, plasterboard slabs are attached to the profile. Self-tapping screws are used to secure parts. By the way, drywall itself is also a material with excellent sound-absorbing properties. The final stage work is gluing the joints between plasterboard sheets. A grid is used. Then the joints are puttied. After this, you can glue sheets of wallpaper or paint the walls.
  2. Decorative panels. Now on the market building materials There are many decorative panels available from different manufacturing companies. If the wall is not completely flat, then it can be veiled with slabs. They are attached to the sheathing with special liquid nails or fixed to each other using the tongue-and-groove technique. This method of sound insulation is very simple, but at the same time it looks beautiful, since the decorative panels themselves can be chosen with different shades, textures, etc. different materials. As a result, the wall will look presentable. The cost of such panels is approximately 750-800 rubles per sq.m., but in terms of soundproofing properties they are not inferior to plasterboard sheets. In addition, the panel is quite light in weight - only 4 kg, which is very convenient for the person installing it. This option is suitable if you need to treat all the walls in the room this way, and not just one side. Then the decorative panels will decorate the room, while reducing its area will be minimal.
  3. Roll sound insulation. In this case, the material is glued to the wall - this soundproofing walls with your own It’s very simple by hand, and the method is low-cost. The material is sold in rolls. It is glued in the same way as wallpaper (for example, vinyl). Used special glue, which is designed just for this. The cost of such material is approximately 1300-1400 rubles per roll, which is designed for 7 sq.m. This option is great if you don’t want to invest too much in your home (for example, if it’s rented). But it must be taken into account that the effectiveness of this method is not the highest. The noise level will only be reduced by half.

Conclusion

No wallpaper will protect apartment residents from noise from the street or from the shouts of neighbors. To get rid of intrusive loud sounds, it is necessary to carry out sound insulation. The procedure itself is quite simple, so you can do everything yourself. This option will be the cheapest. In addition, you can choose various materials to your taste. Many of them are very easy to install on walls, so even a beginner can cope with this task.

For a comfortable stay in your apartment apartment building The walls in the apartment must be soundproofed. I hope that those who read this article are familiar with the “delights” of living in high-rise buildings and this topic is close to them.

A noisy company, a neighbor, a student pianist with rather boring scales (or a trumpeter, or a violinist, or...), “seizing power and establishing a new order” in the neighboring family territory, or a “nighttime bed” conversation between a couple behind the nursery wall... All this is enough good reasons to care about soundproof fencing.

High-quality soundproofing of walls with your own hands (or with the involvement of qualified specialists) will allow you not only to press the “Mute” button on the “acoustic” wall bordering the neighbor’s apartment, but also to deprive them of the “pleasure” of learning your apartment “news”.


How to soundproof a wall? Let's understand the basics...

Functional purpose of sound insulation

Soundproofing functions:

  • Sound absorption;
  • soundproofing.

What is the difference?

Sound insulation is aimed at ensuring that sounds emanating from a nearby “source” are reflected from a special coating (material) and do not reach your ears.

Sound absorption- the process is reverse. The sounds in your apartment will be absorbed by a special soundproofing environment, and your neighbors will remain “deaf” in terms of involuntary “wiretapping” of the apartment.

Types of household noise in apartments

Based on the nature of noise in apartments and their source, they are distinguished:

  • air noise,
  • acoustic noise,
  • impact noises,
  • structural noise.

The reason " airborne noise“It could just be someone talking loudly or shouting, music or a loud TV.

“Acoustic noise” is more familiar to you under the name “echo”. Such noise, as a rule, occurs in empty rooms and is eliminated by the arrangement of furniture and other interior items of the apartment.

For “impact noise” to appear, it is enough to hammer a nail into the wall, hit the wall with your fist (or head), and it can also be the “elephant” (sorry for the comparison) gait of the neighbors above. The pinnacle of skill in extracting impact noise is working with a hammer drill, although it can also be classified as a source of temporary structural noise.

“Structural noise” “live” thanks to the presence of elevators, pumps, ventilation and other systems in houses.

Some “subtleties” of soundproofing walls in an apartment

The most better sound insulation walls in the apartment can be done from the side of your neighbors. But we very much doubt that you will be able to agree with them on such a comprehensive reconstruction of the walls in their apartment.

The second option remains - install a sound-absorbing layer on the side of your home.

Before you soundproof a wall, you need to analyze Current state walls, its integrity. All existing holes, cracks, crevices (especially in panel houses) must be carefully plastered.

Attention! Pay attention to the socket boxes installed on the walls adjacent to the neighbor. Very often, to facilitate installation, builders make through holes for sockets, then “forgetting” to at least block them inside the wall with soundproofing material.


After this, having studied the “market” of soundproofing and sound-absorbing materials, you need to choose those suitable for your room, taking into account the need for “protection” from various types noise


Remember! Each additional layer of sound insulation means a reduction in the usable area of ​​your apartment. And further…

Carrying out interior work It must be remembered that it is advisable to choose materials for soundproofing walls taking into account environmental safety, especially for children's rooms and bedrooms.

Since soundproofing walls in an apartment requires a complex of works, their final stage (except for cases of using solid soundproofing decorative panels) is the final decorative finishing of the surface of the room’s wall.


Notice! This operation also affects the remaining usable area of ​​the room and the cost of soundproofing work.

Also, “channels” for the transmission of sounds from neighboring rooms can be water supply and sewerage communications, pipes central system heating. Due to violations of the rules for installing such pipes during construction, it is necessary, if possible, to soundproof them yourself or, at a minimum, eliminate cracks around them.

Methods for soundproofing walls in an apartment

Several methods are used to soundproof walls in an apartment. Let's look at some of them.

Note! Such heat insulating materials, like polyethylene, expanded polystyrene, polystyrene foam, cork ARE NOT effective soundproofing materials.

Take this fact into account before completing the work, and not after finishing, counting the money spent only on reducing the usable area of ​​the apartment.

Plasterboard sound curtain

Wall or ceiling frame under drywall is made from wooden slats or profiles.

A special feature of the installation of such a frame is special anti-vibration pads or brackets (for suspended mounting), which prevent structural noise from “penetrating” into the room.




Attention! Attaching fasteners directly to the wall and then installing them on a drywall profile can, on the contrary, only amplify the sounds coming from outside the apartment.

Optimal soundproofing material in in this case may be mineral acoustic wool or material in the form of slabs with a high sound absorption coefficient. The installation of sound insulation must be done very carefully, since the remaining flaws can nullify all the work done.


The outer layer of drywall is also a good additional soundproofing material. Drywall joints are glued with mesh, puttied, followed by painting or wallpapering.

Soundproofing from prefabricated panels

Soundproofing panels are not a new thing, but today’s “representatives” of such materials offer maximum ease of installation with their effective functionality.

Such panels already have groove-tenon end connections, which make it possible to obtain high-quality “monolithic” soundproofing and decorative finishing(paper or fabric) surface.


Such slabs, despite their low weight, are easy to install and are optimal for soundproofing not just one wall, but the entire room.


Pasting the wall with sound-absorbing material

This seemingly simple method of organizing sound insulation by gluing soundproofing roll material to the walls has two main disadvantages - a lower degree of sound insulation compared to previous methods (up to 60%) and a significantly higher cost.

This option is the best way soundproofing the walls in the apartment if you rent it.



It is up to you to decide which material and method of sound insulation to choose. The main thing is that you get the desired effect for the money you are willing to spend!

Walls modern apartments, made of brick or concrete, transmit noise from neighbors quite well. They enter the room from all sides (as illustrated by the photo below). This interferes with normal rest, disrupting the usual pattern of life. The question of how to soundproof a wall from neighbors should be taken very seriously, because fast decision problems will help maintain peaceful relations with them, and, possibly, your own health, since quarrels, lack of sleep and general discomfort do not contribute to its preservation.

Types of household noises

Noise is air vibration of a certain strength. After a hard day, you want to relax in a calm, cozy, homely atmosphere or just get some sleep on the weekend. But living in a new building (where for several years after its commissioning the residents still have permanent repairs), or next to noisy neighbors - this can easily become an obstacle.

All the blame here lies on the fact that little attention was paid during construction. Modern multi-storey buildings are insulated on the outside with a material that also has soundproofing properties. The windows are plastic. All these measures have an impact on reducing the level of noise coming from outside. Between apartments, the walls are often not covered with a special soundproofing coating.

To improve the level of comfort in this case, it will be necessary to create an additional appropriate layer that will be able to prevent the entry of various types of noise both from neighbors and in the opposite direction.

Experts divided household noises into groups. Here are the main ones:

  • shock (also called vibration), which spread over the floors and arise as a result of mechanical impact on them with a tool or equipment;
  • air - sounds transmitted through cracks, holes in walls, floors, ceilings;
  • structural, arising from work internal communications buildings (elevators, ventilation systems);
  • reflected sounds are sounds that enter the room and are shielded by objects in it.

The first two types are of greatest practical interest due to their prevalence and degree of impact.

The following photo shows noise levels from various sources.

Without special device The strength of the noise cannot be measured. A sound volume of 40 dB from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. is considered normal. However, it should not exceed 55 dB, and at other times - 40 dB.

If the sound background is constantly higher than the specified values, then it is recommended to install a soundproofing coating, which should perform 2 functions: reflect external and absorb internal vibrations. This allows you to make noise yourself from time to time without consequences, and also get rid of extraneous sounds.

The simplest way to reduce overall noise levels

Soundproofing walls from neighbors begins with their preliminary preparation. These actions will help to partially (slightly) soundproof the room. They are easy to do with your own hands in order. It all comes down to this:

  • remove the old finish completely or only the defective parts, which is determined by the further method of achieving the desired result;
  • the surface is inspected for cracks and chips;
  • having found such ones, they are primed and plastered;
  • sockets (switches) located on common walls with neighbors are opened and insulation (foam plastic or fiberglass) is placed in the installation box.

The last point provides for preliminary shutdown of the power supply circuit breakers and dismantling of the point. In this case, the insert is covered with plaster. After which the sockets are installed back in their original place.


Next they move on to the heating, water supply and sewerage pipes. If there are voids at their entry point, they are filled with polyurethane foam. Sewer pipes It is advisable to close them with a box, having previously wrapped them in soundproofing material, as shown in the photo.

In old houses with thick walls, additional plastering can almost completely eliminate extraneous sounds, and creating further decorative design will help to further reduce their level.

Even carpets hung on the walls prevent the spread of sound vibrations.

For new buildings, plastering is also an option for reducing the overall background sound level, but it is not particularly effective compared to other methods of protection. At the same time, the coating takes up little space and can act as a finishing layer, which is suitable for the inhabitants of panel buildings. It is recommended to apply the solution in several layers.

Performing simple work available materials allows you to cope with part of the noise impacts, and if the latter level is insignificant, eliminate them completely. If it is necessary to further reduce sound effects, it will be necessary to use special finishing methods.

Materials used for home work

On modern market presented a large assortment products to perform. Previously it was believed that the thicker the soundproofing layer, the better. Today you can even choose thin materials, having excellent characteristics in this direction.

In practice, the most common means of suppressing noise impacts are those presented in the table.


Decorative slabs

Can also be used:

  • sound vibration sealants;
  • mastics that absorb sound;
  • soundproofing wallpaper;
  • ordinary plaster;

Noise impacts can be reduced by increasing the thickness of the walls brickwork or foam block. Such options significantly reduce the volume of the room. Their use requires calculation of loads.

Today, the choice of products is limited only by the further finishing coating used and financial possibilities. Often materials combine, in addition to the main function, the ability to additionally insulate the room.

Installation of a frame under soundproofing material

A common option for how to soundproof a wall from neighbors is to create a frame from metal profile, which is filled with sound insulator. Next, it is sheathed with plasterboard sheets, plywood, OSB, chipboard or fiberboard.

The base of the frame can be wooden slats. The process of its creation can be divided into the following stages:

  • mark the outline of the future structure;
  • install horizontal guides (adjusting soundproofing tapes under them) along the ceiling and floor;
  • with the same precautions, install a vertical profile with a pitch slightly smaller than the width of the sound insulator used;
  • the working material is tightly inserted into the frame so that there are no gaps;
  • sheathe the base with prepared sheets.

Frame under soundproofing material

The high-quality result of the work can be presented based on the following photo.

Mineral wool is often used as a void filler. The frame itself can be attached to the wall using already applied roll covering. This method takes up part of the living space, but the design allows achieving high-quality noise protection.

Using sound-absorbing wallpaper and decorative panels

If, after plastering and leveling the walls of the room, it is additionally necessary to reduce the external sound impact, then wallpaper will help. Heavy, thick canvases suit these purposes well.

The main thing when gluing is to use glue designed for this type wallpaper The gluing technology is described in detail on the packaging, or you can check it with sales consultants. The work performed is similar to operations with conventional rolls. The possible result is visible in the photo.

Decorative elements are used for smooth walls or with lathing. They are glued onto liquid nails, connecting with grooves. Working with the material is simple, and the resulting result is a beautiful canvas.

The use of these types of products is a finishing touch. The resulting design additionally protects against sound interference.

Work with slabs and roll materials

The use of modern tile materials significantly reduces the volume and time of work, allowing you to achieve positive results.

The installation of the products can be easily done by one person, because they are light, compact and made of wood fiber wool. They additionally insulate the room.

The slabs are directly fixed to the wall with dowels without additional use of the frame. The resulting joints are treated with putty.

Using penoplex you can both soundproof a wall and insulate it well. The material is high-density polystyrene foam. A frame is not needed when installing the coating. These purposes are served special adhesives or mushroom-shaped plastic dowels. The mounting method can be combined.

The process of fixing with dowels goes like this:

  • the penoplex plate is drilled: 2 or 4 holes are created;
  • lean it against the wall surface, making marks there;
  • holes up to 60 mm deep are drilled at points;
  • “mushrooms” (hammering them all the way) secure the sheet, screwing self-tapping screws into the dowels;
  • the following panels are closed with grooves, mounted in a similar way.

Use - very simple and cheap way. They are installed using regular vinyl wallpaper adhesive. This method works well for rental properties because only 60% of the noise is removed.

Use of slabs and roll materials significantly speeds up the entire work process. Technology allows (with sufficient flat surfaces) do without bulky structures, saving room space. The applied coating can eliminate a whole range of irritating sounds.


Big choice material on construction market allows you to both soundproof walls from neighbors and spend money wisely, because in many cases the financial factor is decisive. Modern soundproofing products, in addition to noise protection, make it possible to achieve two more important goals: increase the degree of thermal insulation of the room and decorate it beautifully.

To obtain excellent result, when choosing a coating, you should take into account the conditions of its further operation as much as possible.

General recommendations on the issue of noise insulation of premises are outlined in the following video.

The installation process of soundproofing boards is presented in detail in the following video.

Tired of being aware of the events happening with your neighbors on the floor? Perhaps you yourself like to invite a noisy company to visit, or listen to good music, which is impossible to appreciate using headphones. Conflicts over noise between neighbors in modern apartment buildings occur frequently. And this is due to the lack of good sound insulation of the walls. Fortunately, this disadvantage of the apartment can be eliminated on your own.

Important point

It should be noted that sound insulation should perform two functions:

    • Soundproofing. Sounds coming from neighbors will be reflected, you will not hear what is happening behind the wall.
    • Sound absorption. Sound waves propagating in your apartment will be absorbed by sound insulation, and your neighbors will not hear the noise coming from you.


Any of the three methods suggested below will help you soundproof your walls.

Ways to get rid of noise and work order

We build a structure from plasterboard

What you need

For this you need: plasterboard profile or wooden slats, hardware suitable for attaching the selected profile to the floor, ceiling and walls, sound-absorbing material, drywall and screws for it.

Work order

  • Before proceeding with the construction of a soundproofing wall, it is necessary to eliminate all cracks and holes in it. Simply cover it with cement mortar.
  • Then we make a frame for future sound insulation. You should not attach the profile directly to the wall itself; step back 2 centimeters from it. It is advisable to place vibration-isolating material made of cork or rubber under the profile. After the frame is built, we lay sound-absorbing material in it. This can be soft acoustic mineral wool, glass wool, or semi-rigid slabs of these materials. When choosing sound-absorbing material pay attention to the sound absorption coefficient - y soft materials it is usually higher, and, therefore, sound insulation will be more effective.
  • The next step is to screw the drywall to the profile using self-tapping screws. Drywall is an excellent soundproofing material.
  • Well, then everything is simple: we glue the joints of the plasterboard sheets with a special mesh, putty on the plasterboard, glue the wallpaper or paint the resulting wall.

Price

How much will such pleasure cost? We calculate approximately: drywall - 90 rubles per m2, sound-absorbing material - from 60 to 400 rubles per m2. These are the main costs, to which we add the cost of the profile and screws.

The disadvantages of this method include the “dusty” nature of the work, as well as the fact that each such wall will reduce the room by approximately 8 cm.

We buy ready-made decorative panels

There are now several manufacturers of this type of panel on the market. If the wall is not perfectly flat, such panels will need a sheathing, to which they are attached with liquid nails and connected to each other using the tongue and groove method. This method of soundproofing a room is quite simple, and the result is beautiful, since the panels have a ready-made decorative paper or fabric finish.

Price issue

The cost of panels is on average 750 rubles per m². The noise insulation properties of such panels will be comparable to the properties of materials from the first method. Among the advantages of installing decorative panels, one should note their lightness - one panel weighs about 4 kg.

This method should be used if you plan to insulate the entire room rather than just one wall. Decorative panels in this case will decorate the entire interior, and the area of ​​the room will be reduced to a minimum.

We glue sound insulation to the wall: it’s as easy as shelling pears and cheaper than cheap

The simplest and least expensive way is to buy rolled sound insulation, which you simply need to glue to the wall with glue for vinyl wallpaper. For example, Polifom insulating substrate will cost 1,310 rubles per roll and will cover 7 m² of wall. Obviously, the option is the most budget-friendly, but also the least effective - it will reduce the noise level by only 60%.

It is worthwhile to apply such insulation if you rent a home and do not want to invest money in its repair.

Which method should I choose? Decide for yourself, based on your strengths and financial capabilities. Let the work done bring the expected results!

Video: example of work on soundproofing walls in an apartment

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Discussion:

    Uralets said:

    I read the comments... People have a strange vision of silence. I wandered here to catch the zen of true silence. And the only problem everyone has is with the neighbors’ music.
    When necessary, but loudly, and even more so when inappropriate and loudly, it can be done for 200 rubles. You go to a hardware store and buy adjustable wrench(more), come back, knock (on the neighbors) - and hit them in the knee with all your might (to them, to him, to her - whoever opens it). Mute mode is guaranteed.

    Alexander said:

    This is the case with us. On our side, the walls are insulated with 36mm thick penoplex, and our neighbors have plasterboard on the walls where there is a void between the wall and the plasterboard itself, they didn’t even lay mineral wool. T.K. Their Builders told them that they don’t need it, and the walls are so thick. And the walls are made of cinder block and concrete in places. While the neighbors themselves lived everything was fine, but now they rented out their housing and this began...... You can hear everything. A lonely, loving lady settled there....., tell me, if the neighbors will at least lay mineral wool between the sheet of plasterboard and the wall, taking into account our warm wall, will this help us???))))

    Aldous said:

    Luda, the min. cotton wool is not very good useful thing. Google it, you will find a lot of information about it. Some sources claim that mineral wool is a carcinogen!!! Better try foamed polyurethane, it seems to be more neutral.

    Luda said:

    We made sound insulation with mineral wool, but the sound from the neighbors decreased, but did not disappear, but it appeared new problem Dry air. Now we can’t sleep in the bedroom, but we’re coughing. Can anyone tell me what to do?

    Vlad said:

    A video about egg containers, not so stupid. As it may seem. I have experience with soviet neighbors who don’t like heavy metal. Cardboard, especially uneven surface, the best sound absorption coefficient. Bonus: the best absorbent floor (for neighbors below) 5 - 10 centimeter layer broken glass(bottle) pressed with boards on screws

    I can only speak based on personal experience. My neighbors are avid “music lovers” and for a very long time they tormented me with specific music in different time day, often in the evenings. No amount of complaints or exhortations helped, and there was no way to change the apartment, and the apartment itself was good. So I decided to do some repairs and soundproofing. I will say right away that it helped a lot. Now I can calmly stay in my apartment without any hassles from my neighbors. but you need to take into account that insulating the walls takes up some of the footage: frame + material. It took a couple of square meters from me. If the size of the room is large or medium, it’s not scary, but if the apartment is small, then this is already problematic.

    Antik said:

    Mira, you have no reason to worry. Any sound insulation will be useful to both you and your neighbors. And it will work in both directions equally. Of course there are certain nuances. For example, the noise of a hammer drill is almost impossible to reduce, because its impacts are transmitted by vibration.

    Mirabis said:

    Finally found good advice on the issue of soundproofing an apartment. The issue of relations with neighbors is quite painful, especially because of noise. However, this article remains unclear - who should be isolated from whom? It seemed to me that all three tips help neighbors more. That is, if you use any of the technologies, the sounds from my apartment will be absorbed. But what to do if it’s the neighbors who are bothering you with the noise? I would also like to know about the percentage of noise absorption from inside and outside the room where all the above wall insulation options were used.

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From this article you will learn:

  • What are the types and sources of noise?
  • What materials are usually used for sound insulation?
  • What soundproofing methods exist?
  • How to soundproof the ceiling, floor, walls, front door, do-it-yourself joints
  • What tips should you follow to properly soundproof your apartment?
  • What myths and misconceptions exist regarding sound insulation in an apartment?

Almost half of the domestic housing stock today consists of housing characterized by poor sound insulation, which significantly reduces the level of comfort. Taking this into account, we can explain the popularity of services for soundproofing walls, ceilings and floors using modern materials. At the same time, it is quite possible to solve such a problem on your own. Companies that work in the field of soundproofing technologies offer wide choose solutions that can be used even by a person who does not have special knowledge in the field of construction and installation of various structures. More full information You will find information on how to make soundproofing in an apartment in this article.

From whom and what do they soundproof the apartment?

Before deciding how to soundproof your home, you need to understand the main sources of noise that are present in apartment buildings (MCD). Correct definition source of sound vibrations greatly simplifies the task. In some cases, time-consuming and expensive operations can be avoided by insulating a separate structural element.

There are two types of noise:

  • Wave noise- spreads through the air. Sources sound waves: loud conversations, music, dogs barking, etc.


  • Vibration noise– distributed in building structures and engineering communications. Its sources can be construction tools (drill, hammer, hammer drill, etc.) or household appliances (washing machine).


The main sources of noise in the apartment:

  • Noise from the street enters the home through window openings. You can get rid of the noise of passing traffic or loud voices coming from the playground only after installing a triple-glazed window system. Curtains made of thick fabric can serve as additional sound insulation.
  • Noise from the entrance penetrates through the entrance door opening. It is not entirely comfortable, while in an apartment, to hear the noise of a working elevator, the knocking of doors and conversations of neighbors on the landing, or, conversely, to understand that in the entrance you can hear everything that is happening in your home. Both problems can be solved if you make sound insulation door design. To do this, the door leaf must be upholstered with sound-absorbing material, and a high-quality sealant must be used along the contour of the door frame.
  • Noise from adjacent apartments gets through wall structures, through sockets, gaps between ceiling elements, etc. Too much noisy neighbors(loud music lovers, parties, home renovations, etc.) are most often cited as the decisive factor that prompts soundproofing in the apartment. It all depends on the number of “irritating” sources. If these are neighbors “through the wall,” then you can get by with soundproofing the adjacent wall structure. If noisy residents surround you from all sides, as well as from above and below, you will have to make complete sound insulation.
  • Noise from your apartment also exits through all the structures described here. Therefore, if you yourself like noisy parties, are fond of music, or have hyperactive children, then, in order to avoid quarrels and visits from the local police officer, it is better to soundproof your apartment as soon as possible.


Another point is related to the quality of the soundproofing materials used. Manufacturers offer a wide selection of solutions that differ in price, composition used and performance characteristics.

In order to reliably isolate wall structures from the penetration of external noise, it is necessary to create conditions with the help of building materials under which noise waves are dissipated and absorbed. In addition, an obstacle should be created in the path of vibration vibrations and the possibility of reflecting sound waves should be provided.


Sound waves attenuate when passing through various media. At the same time, multi-layer sound insulation is more effective than single-layer, thick ones.

Misconceptions and myths about sound insulation in an apartment

Myth 1: To make noise insulation in an apartment, it is enough to ensure sound insulation of the wall structures behind which the noise source is located.


Noise is sound waves that travel in a straight line. Thus, the sound from a TV operating behind the wall will pass not only through the wall, but also through interfloor ceilings, communication systems and technological openings (for example, ventilation). Soundproofing the wall will only partially muffle the penetrating noise. In order to ensure comfort in the apartment, it is necessary to make an analysis of the situation, which will help identify the most weak spots from a sound insulation point of view.

Myth 2: For good sound insulation, it is enough to cover the room with expensive, thin, but effective rolled sound insulation for the walls.


This is precisely the information that can be found in various advertising materials that claim that various membrane technologies are already widely used in European countries. But in practice everything looks a little different. Such membranes are ineffective on their own. They are usually used in conjunction with traditional soundproofing solutions, which only increases the cost of the work.

One of the arguments that marketers use when promoting soundproof membranes is that in the automotive industry, membrane materials with a thickness of no more than 5 millimeters are used to soundproof car interiors. But in this case we're talking about about a completely different noise reduction technology, which is effective exclusively for thin plates. The thickness of the metal from which the car body is made is several millimeters and less than the thickness of the membrane used. Now, let's calculate how thick this type of sound insulation will be needed for a wall structure with a thickness of, for example, 100 millimeters. In order to verify the information provided here, it is enough to read technical documentation

for thin super sound insulation. In fact, it turns out that this is just an advertising gimmick to increase the cost of sound insulation. Myth 3:


Solve the noise problem with sound-absorbing materials. Popular sound-absorbing materials: Heradesign, Mappysil and Ecofon are different minimum thickness And high efficiency sound absorption, but are completely unsuitable for sound insulation. To understand this, you need to understand the difference between sound insulation and sound absorption. Insulating materials are designed to protect from external influences, and absorbing materials are needed to prevent echoes and absorb sounds, the sources of which are devices and equipment located indoors (TV, telephone, music Center

etc.). Sound-absorbing materials are usually used to equip home theaters. Myth 4:


It would be a big mistake to decide to make sound insulation using polystyrene foam. After covering a room with such material, the sound insulation may even worsen. Since expanded polystyrene foams have a rigid structure and a closed cellular structure, when in contact with a solid wall they can cause a resonance phenomenon for medium-frequency sound waves. As you know, mid-range frequencies are characteristic of human speech, so with such isolation you can hear what your neighbors are saying even better. Only an illiterate specialist can suggest making sound insulation using polystyrene foam.

Myth 5: Before purchasing sound insulation, you should pay attention to the airborne noise insulation index (Rw).


The Rw index does not always accurately demonstrate the level of noise insulation of a system. The method for calculating the airborne noise insulation index was developed back in Soviet times, so it does not take into account some noise sources, which are modern household equipment. In other words, it focuses more on loud speech, TV sound or music, but does not take into account low frequency sounds produced by subwoofers, home theaters and household appliances. Fiber sound insulation with high Rw values ​​will provide high-quality protection from mid-frequency sound waves. But in order to absorb low-frequency noise, in addition to the sound absorber layer, it must have a thick facing layer.

How to make soundproofing in an apartment with your own hands: starting with the basics

Construction professionals note that panel-type houses that were built ten or more years ago are characterized by high sound conductivity. In some cases, apartments in such apartment buildings can be compared in terms of comfort to communal apartments, where you can hear almost everything that happens behind the wall. In this regard, for owners of such housing, the question of how to make noise insulation in an apartment of a panel house is very pressing.

First of all, it is necessary to determine the thickness of the walls and the material they are made of.


If the wall structures are reliable enough, then the reason for good audibility may be incorrect installed sockets and various defects in the form of cracks and crevices. In this case, it will be enough to carry out work to eliminate deficiencies, as well as to replace window and door structures.

If the walls are in order, but noise still penetrates into the apartment, you must do the following:

  1. Prepare the walls.

Before making good sound insulation in an apartment, you need to thoroughly clean the surface of the walls from dirt and check them for cracks and other defects. Identified cracks should be properly filled, as they allow the penetration of extraneous sounds.

The next step will be soundproofing electrical outlets. If you need to move the socket, then the remaining hole must be filled with foam, and also better with plaster or CPS. By doing electrical installation work Safety regulations must be strictly followed.

In conclusion preparatory stage It is necessary to insulate heating pipes where they pass through the wall structure. An elastic sealant is used to seal all seams and joints.


  1. Choosing soundproofing material.

Sealing cracks in the walls is only the initial stage of arranging soundproofing in an apartment. For reliable protection from extraneous noise, you will need high-quality soundproofing materials, including wide range presented in catalogs of specialized companies. There is no need to choose expensive options. You can choose proven sound insulation that ideally combines price and quality.


How to choose reliable soundproofing materials at an affordable cost? It is necessary to compare the noise insulation parameters with the characteristics of the apartment. You should take into account the area of ​​the rooms, the sizes of window and door structures, the thickness of the walls and their quality. Choosing soundproofing materials with an excessively large thickness can significantly reduce the area of ​​the apartment, taking away several tens of millimeters from each wall. In this regard, you can pay attention to cork wallpaper, which is characterized by high-quality sound insulation.

How to soundproof walls in an apartment: choosing the material

So, what materials are usually used for soundproofing?

Soft sound insulation

  • Soundproofing membranes. They can be regular or self-adhesive. Such membranes are made from synthetic or natural fiber. The range of such products separately includes bitumen polymer sound insulation for floors with a layer of polyester fiber.


  • Sound insulation made of needle-punched fiberglass. Such materials are used for ceiling structures and walls. This is the most good option in order to make high-quality sound insulation of frame structures.


  • Polyester fabric backing It is produced for finishing “floating” floors, but can also be used as a base for laminate flooring.


  • Mineral wool- the most common material, which has an affordable price and good heat and sound insulation characteristics.


Solid insulation includes structures in the form of slabs and panels made of sound-insulating materials

  • Combined panels consist of two sheets and a layer between them. They are made from particle boards with the inclusion of synthetic or cork materials. Mineral wool or quartz sand is usually used for the layer.


  • Basalt slabs are made from natural fiber. There are basalt slabs treated with special water-repellent mixtures.


  • Polyester fiber boards are a synthetic material that has been wide application in frame construction technologies.


  • Fiberglass slabs of staple weaving are used as filler for interprofile spaces, as well as for sound insulation of suspended ceilings and frame wall structures.


  • Cork slabs as finishing panels, as well as cork flooring, can be installed without the use of additional sound insulation.


  • Foam boards are the most affordable soundproofing material. Despite the fact that their characteristics are inferior to more modern sound insulation, such slabs are still very popular when performing budget renovation. The company "My Repair" performs high-quality and inexpensive repairs in Moscow and the Moscow region.


Liquid insulation

Soundproofing materials have a serious drawback - they take up a lot of space. free space. After their installation, the room will lose space. Using liquid sound insulation will help avoid this.


To install it, you will need a special adhesive composition that does not take up much space. It is often used between layers of gypsum plasterboard, gypsum board and plywood. A small layer of such insulation will not be inferior in quality traditional materials large thickness.

It is worth mentioning the available sound insulation

Many people are interested in how to soundproof an apartment if the wallpaper is already hung. In this case, you can use a number of interior decor elements that will reduce the noise level by almost 30%:

  • Large rug on the floor or wall.


  • A wall of furniture located along the wall will allow you to turn loud sounds from your neighbors into a soft hum.


  • Thick curtains on the windows will reduce the level of street noise in the apartment.


It should be noted that only right choice soundproofing materials will achieve good result. When deciding what kind of sound insulation to make in an apartment, pay attention to other characteristics of such materials: thickness, thermal insulation properties, etc.

Methods for soundproofing an apartment

You can soundproof your apartment using three methods:

  1. Frame method involves the arrangement of guides on which the facing panels will be fixed. After installing the sound-absorbing material, sound-reflecting panels are placed between the guides.


Advantage this method is that when correct installation panels is achieved high level soundproofing. At the same time, this option is quite expensive and takes up a lot of free space in the room.

  1. Installation of slabs and membranes involves installing sound insulation directly on walls, floors or ceiling structures. After installing the slabs using special fasteners or glue, they are closed with thin cladding panels. In terms of quality of protection from extraneous noise, this method is not inferior to frame technology, but is much cheaper.


  1. "Floating" The method is used for soundproofing floors. To do this, soundproofing material is spread on the prepared surface, which is covered with waterproofing on top. A reinforcing screed is placed on top of such a flooring, on which the floor covering is installed. Since this soundproofing option does not use rigid fastenings, it provides reliable protection from vibration noise.


How to soundproof a ceiling in an apartment

The most practical and effective option for soundproofing an apartment from neighbors above is to install tension or dropped ceilings. Such work must be carried out experienced specialists who know the features of the technological process well. For high-quality repairs in Moscow and the Moscow region, you can contact the My Repair company.


To save money, you can independently soundproof the ceiling in your apartment using multilayer structures. Even a novice master can do this option. It includes the following steps:

  1. Dismantling the old covering.
  2. The ceiling is covered with a special acoustic material, additionally securing it with dowels.
  3. Profile hangers for installing drywall must be secured at intervals of 60 cm.
  4. Soundproofing slabs are installed in the resulting structure in such a way as to leave a small air gap between the acoustic coating and the slabs (from 50 to 100 mm).
  5. The resulting structure is covered with sheets of plasterboard.

Pay special attention to the quality of the materials used. This will ensure your comfort and coziness in the future.



Soundproofing the floor provides protection from noise that originates on the floor below, and will also relieve you from complaints from neighbors living there regarding loud sounds emanating from your apartment.

There are also two solutions here: do the sound insulation yourself or turn to professionals. In the first case, you must strictly follow the instructions for installing soundproofing floors.


  1. Sealing joints.

At the stage of preparation for installation work it is necessary to inspect the joints interfloor ceilings and walls. If cracks are detected, they should be repaired using cement mortar or polyurethane foam. Cracks in building structures most often act as a factor contributing to increased sound conductivity.


  1. Installation of skirting boards.

Exists important feature installing skirting boards on a floor with a “floating” base. Such systems can shift, which will lead to deformation and destruction of the baseboard, so it is attached only on one side. To increase the quality of sound insulation, strips of special material are installed under the baseboard.


  1. Installation of logs.

When installing joists, you must avoid direct contact with the walls and base of the floor. In these places, gaskets made of rubber or other sound-insulating material should be placed. You should not use rigid connections to install the logs, as they will conduct vibration noise.


  1. Arrangement of the substrate.

For floor coverings For laminate flooring, you need to use a backing based on polyester fibers, which provides good sound insulation.


A carpet on the floor will help increase the effect.


With any option for floor soundproofing, it is necessary to follow the procedure and use high-quality materials.

How to soundproof walls in an apartment

There is no point in soundproofing all the walls in the apartment, including interior partitions. It is enough to isolate structures that are adjacent to neighbors and the staircase.


Soundproofing membranes on “self-adhesive”, combined panels or slabs, which are placed on a special frame, are used to soundproof wall surfaces. It should be taken into account that thicker materials will reduce the amount of usable space in the rooms.

An important condition for high-quality sound insulation is the absence of through sockets. If there are any, the space between them should be filled with sound-absorbing material or polyurethane foam.

Before installing sound insulation, it is necessary to carry out preparatory operations:

  1. Dismantling old wall covering (wallpaper, decorative panels).
  2. Dismantling electrical sockets and switches. If there is a distribution box for wiring, you need to remove the cover from it. Be sure to de-energize the wiring first.
  3. Remove the wiring from the box and the sockets for switches and outlets.
  4. Extend the wiring for the switch and sockets to the width of the future insulation.
  5. Temporarily insulate exposed wire ends.
  6. Fill the sockets and box with polyurethane foam.
  7. Inspect the wall for cracks.
  8. If cracks are identified, they must be sealed with cement mortar.


If you do not have the appropriate knowledge and skills, hire a professional electrician to carry out electrical work.

The most effective soundproofing option in panel apartmentframe method. Let's take a closer look at its stages.


  1. Place a soundproofing membrane on the wall surface. A self-adhesive membrane or a regular one, which is mounted with a special glue, is suitable for this.
  2. Frame the frame using vertical guides along the edges of the wall and horizontal guides under the ceiling and on the floor. To install the guides, dowel screws are used.
  3. At a distance of 0.4 - 0.5 meters from each other, install vertical guides inside the frame.
  4. Install sound insulation between the frame guides using glue or bendable metal tape, which is attached to the guides with screws.
  5. There should be no voids or gaps in the resulting frame.
  6. Route the wires of the switch and sockets through the soundproofing
  7. Attach to frame plasterboard sheets or decorative slabs. It is necessary to make holes in the sheets or plates for the junction box, electrical outlets and switches.
  8. Carefully seal the interpanel seams.
  9. Finish the walls with wallpaper or plaster.
  10. Install electrical outlets, a switch and a distribution box.

How to soundproof the front door of an apartment

The entrance door is one of the most significant structures in matters of soundproofing an apartment. The main condition that will help get rid of extraneous sounds penetrating from landing– no gaps in the door structure. To reduce sound transmission, you should install rubber seals along the entire perimeter door leaf and arrange a small threshold in front door frame. If there are gaps between the frame and the wall, they should be sealed with cement mortar.


For more effective sound insulation, in addition to the main entrance door, you can install an additional one. The tambour formed in this case will dampen sound waves.


How much does it cost to soundproof an apartment?

The cost of soundproofing an apartment depends on several factors, including the existing and required level of sound transmission, materials and quality building structures, as well as a method for solving such a problem. As a guide, we can say that soundproofing 1 m2 of wall costs from 310 to 400 rubles, and installing an acoustic suspension ceiling structure from 240 to 600 rub. for 1 m 2.


When solving special problems of arranging sound insulation in rooms with special requirements(for example, a home theater, recording studio, etc.) the cost of sound insulation will be higher than under standard conditions.