Soundproof materials for apartment walls: testimonials and recommendations for choice

In panel houses, and in particular in old houses, the level of sound absorption leaves much to be desired. The use of special materials can help to solve this problem effectively enough. If you want, it's easy to do this job yourself. What soundproof materials for walls, floor and ceiling to choose the best in this or that case? Let's deal with this in more detail.

Types of noise

Extraneous sounds penetrate the apartment in many ways. Reduce the level of comfort can:

• Air Noise. This is extraneous sounds from the street (for example, the noise of cars) or from neighbors (music, loud-working TV, etc.).
• Shock noises. Such a sound is transmitted over the structural elements of the building (for example, the footsteps from above).

For each of these types of extraneous noise, there are different types of soundproofing. About which ones, and we'll talk further.

How to get rid of air noise

To protect against sounds of this kind, it is best to use soundproof materials for walls 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 vibration of air molecules. As a result of their friction about the pores of the material, the latter is heated. Thus, the sound energy is simply converted into thermal energy. 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 more significant will be the loss of energy by the sound wave. Another important parameter is the thickness of the fiber material. The thinner it is, the more active will be the friction, and consequently, the higher the sound absorption.

When choosing a mineral or glass wool, it is very important to pay attention to the manufacturer. The fact is that the fibers in such materials are connected by substances containing formaldehyde resins, harmful to health. In quality materials, they are much smaller. At the moment, you can also find ecowool on sale. This is absolutely environmentally friendly material.

What should I use to deal with percussive sounds?

In this case, porous sound-proof materials for walls are usually used. This can be, for example, expanded polystyrene or styrofoam. Similar materials are produced by the method of expanding or foaming a polystyrene or some other raw material. From air noise porous insulators, unfortunately, almost do not help.

This kind of building materials is also absolutely environmentally safe is not. Polyfoam and expanded polystyrene are able to release harmful substances into the air. The fact is that in their production, non-harmless components are used. In particular, poisonous styrene. Polymerizing, this chemical becomes completely harmless. However, any foamed plates always contain a small amount of it in the free state. So polystyrene and expanded polystyrene are not the best soundproof materials for apartment walls. According to the regulations, they can not be used indoors at all. Therefore, either buy products of known brands, or - which is better - cover the walls with other material. For example, a natural stopper.

Comprehensive options

On sale it is possible to meet also sound-proof materials for walls in an apartment, protecting both from shock, and from air noises. Most often they have a multilayer structure. Very often, for example, to isolate the walls of the apartment used panels ZIPS. They represent a structure of alternating layers of mineral wool and gipsovoloknistyh sheets. The thickness of the plates can vary. The number of layers also varies. Such panels are not mounted in a frame that perfectly conveys percussive noises, but on special vibration-releasing attachment points. Their thickness, depending on the level of noise absorption (56-65 dB), can vary from 53 to 133 mm. The finishing layer is made of 1.25 cm gypsum plasterboard.

In addition to the effectiveness in isolating the apartment from extraneous sounds, these panels are also characterized by such advantages as ease of installation and a fairly high level of environmental safety. If desired, this kind of insulation can be finished on top with absolutely any modern finishing material.

Multi-layer sound-proof materials for walls: reviews

The consumer's opinion about the ZIPS panels was very good. It is believed that they absorb both shock and air noise very well. Not very satisfied owners of problematic apartments only the cost of this insulator. Therefore, it is usually advised to purchase such panels only for ceiling lining. It is better to isolate the walls with basalt material in the profile frame.

Mineral and ecowools

Such sound-proof materials for walls will cost you much cheaper panels. However, from impact noise, as already mentioned, they will not be saved. Mineral cotton wool is usually installed in a metal frame, or in a wooden frame. Additional fastening is done with the help of plastic "fungi". The most popular types of basalt sound insulators are: cotton wool "Shumanet", "Akmigran" and "Akminit". Finnish "Acousto-Melody" and "Acusto-Pop" are also considered a very good option.

Ecowool is a unique material consisting of fluffy antiseptic wood. This material is sold in packages. To seal walls from it, liquid plaster is made.

Reviews about mineral and ecowool

"Schumann" - one of the soundproof materials, which the consumer has a very good opinion. It is not very expensive and can be used for plating both walls and ceiling. In the first case, it is installed in the frame. In the second, not on fungi, but inside a suspended gypsum board structure. In this case, the frame must be fastened through the vibration-absorbing elements. "Shumanet" is, perhaps, the best soundproof material for the apartment walls at the moment.

There is also a lot of positive feedback about Ecowool. Particularly noted waste-free installation, seamless layer and, of course, the absence of harmful fumes. Ecowool does not sag and can be used in houses with walls made of absolutely any materials.

Soundproof materials for walls with own hands

Very interesting is the fact that the ecowool can be made independently if desired. For this, only waste paper and an old activator washing machine will be needed. In the latter, instead of blades, a knife system is installed. Milled pulp is additionally impregnated with flame retardant compounds. Unfortunately, in the cotton wool, the newspapers will contain lead.

Which cork panels to choose

There are only two main types of such soundproofing:

• Cork wallpaper. It is a thin sound-proof material for walls, quite inexpensive and easy to install. In this case, an unbleached cork layer is simply pasted onto the cardboard. It is better to purchase products of well-known manufacturers.
• Cork tiles. This variety can be used for soundproofing both walls and ceiling. Noise it delays more effectively, but also costs more than wallpaper.

Cork soundproof materials for walls in the apartment are used quite often. Their main strengths, 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:

• For insulation of the ceiling, it is worth buying a ZIPS panel. This material effectively absorbs shock noise, usually coming from above.
• Walls can be covered with mineral wool "Schumanet" or plastered with a mixture of ecowool.
• For the floor it is best to use a cork.

It is not necessary to apply foam insulation and styrofoam for interior soundproofing. First, these materials in this case are not particularly effective, and secondly, they can release very harmful substances to the air.

What else should you do?

Sheathing of walls, ceiling and floor will not give the proper effect in the event that the apartment does not carry out additional measures aimed at soundproofing window and doorways. In the first case, it is necessary to use high-quality double-glazed windows. It is best to put plastic windows with 3-5 cameras and an outer glass with a thickness of at least 5 mm. As for the doors, today special models are produced with noise isolation. In the latter case, mineral wool is inserted into the canvas.