Soundproofing and sound absorption in the apartment

Modern houses most often boast of high-quality plumbing, sewerage, electrical wiring, etc. But soundproofing can be very different. And it is because of this that your night's sleep can be ruined because of a neighbor's child, someone's pampered dog. It is important to understand that in such cases it is pointless to quarrel with neighbors and prove that they should be quieter. Indeed, most often they do not violate the regime, and the whole problem lies in very poor sound insulation. So do not spoil your own nerves - but simply spend your money on high-quality soundproofing of your apartment. And then even the real noise behind the wall will not be a problem for you.

Another point to consider is that sound insulation and sound absorption are two different parameters. And sound insulation is relevant in some situations, and sound absorption - in completely different situations. Soundproofing is your choice if your neighbors are not, to put it mildly, quiet. The main goal is to isolate the room from all external sounds. In order for this to be realized, it is necessary to create complex structures that must not only be multi-layered, but also hermetic. The layers of this design consist of reflective materials, which are presented in the form of chipboard, plasterboard, and absorbing materials, which are mineral wool, vibration-insulating canvas and fiberglass. With this set, your apartment will be reliably protected from external noise sources. But sound absorption should be chosen if you yourself are a noisy neighbor. Perhaps you play a musical instrument, or you have a home theater. And you don't want any problems with your neighbors or law enforcement. In this case, you must provide your “working” space with special acoustic panels. Often, specialized wall panels made of gypsum, leather, fabric, etc. are used as sound absorbers.

Whatever option you need, the first thing you should consult with professionals. In this situation, professionals can be considered professional designers who already have experience with such situations, or companies that create wall panels, as these people know exactly all the nuances of what they create. Also, there are a few nuances that you should pay attention to.

Myths

1. Mounting foam. There is a myth that polyurethane foam is a good soundproofing agent. But that is not so. It perfectly transmits sounds, so if you have thoroughly invested in soundproofing the walls, then do not spoil the work - use silicone sealant.
2. Styrofoam. Polyfoam in terms of sound insulation and sound absorption has exactly the same characteristics as polyurethane foam. That is, it does not have them at all. A much more correct choice is mineral wool.
3. Trays and carpets. Egg carton trays and carpets often act as sound insulators that are accessible and close to the people. And the carpets really have, albeit very low, but still soundproofing, however, they can no longer be used in the

kitchen

. But the notorious egg trays are not at all the material that will help you when creating an insulating layer.

Important Aspects

1. Compatibility. It is important to understand that when working with soundproofing, you need to be able to make compromises. For example, ventilation, recessed ceiling lights, niches for cornices cannot be built into the soundproofing of the ceiling. All of the above should go strictly under the soundproof layer. And if you have low ceilings, then it’s better to look - is it possible to sacrifice something?
2. Two doors. If you want the front door to provide sufficient sound insulation even for the

hallway

, then it is best to simply install two doors - the main metal one and an additional one with a dense canvas. Metal doors are rarely equipped with high-quality sound insulation, here more emphasis is placed on the characteristics of the metal.
3. Corridor. If you need soundproofing, including from those people who live with you in the same apartment, then the corridors will come in handy. They create a space that cuts off all noise.
4. Windows. If, when choosing windows, the parameter of their soundproofing abilities is important for you (if you choose for a

children’s room

, for example), then you need to pay attention to the thickness of the glass used, and not to the number of cameras. If the glasses have different thicknesses, then such a window will isolate sounds much better than windows with the same glass parameters. And ideally, the distances between the glasses should be different.
5. Sockets. Incorrectly installed sockets can become a direct window into the world of a neighbor's apartment. Sockets must not be opposite each other and must be absolutely sealed.

Wall panels can be ideal for indoor sound absorption or sound insulation. You just need to choose the option created specifically for your conditions. This is what company «Smart Space» is doing - creating individual wall panels that will perfectly match the conditions in which you live.