Which drywall is best for soundproofing?
There are various drywall types, but the Type X drywall is the most commonly used for soundproofing. It is a fire-resistant board, and a board of 5/8″ thickness can resist fire for an hour, which concurrently makes it the best drywall to reduce noise.
Is lightweight drywall as good as regular drywall?
Although both standard drywall and lightweight drywall are good for any room in your house (except the bathroom) the lightweight option is more user-friendly. Since it is lighter, carrying it around and hanging it isn’t incredibly difficult.
What is the difference between ultralight drywall and regular drywall?
Ultralight drywall is a generic term for a building material that is about 25 percent lighter than standard drywall. A panel of 1/2-inch thick ultralight drywall weighs 13 pounds less than standard 1/2-inch thick drywall sheets.
How thick is soundproof drywall?
QuietRock products use a three-layer design: two layers of gypsum drywall about 1/4-inch thick, sandwiched around viscoelastic sound-absorbing polymers in the middle.
Is thicker drywall more soundproof?
More thickness means more mass and more mass means better soundproofing. The 5/8″ is also more durable sheetrock versus the 1/2″ option.
How much does drywall reduce sound?
As such, it takes a 10dB reduction to reduce the perceived “noise” by 50%, 20dB by 75%. etc. By increasing a standard wall’s STC from 34 to 64, there is ~30dB of transmission loss, which would provide an 88% reduction in perceived sound coming through the wall.
When should you use 5/8 drywall?
5/8-Inch-Thick Drywall
These panels are commonly used for ceilings or for walls that require a prescribed fire-resistant rating.
Do you drywall the ceiling or walls first?
Hanging Drywall From the Top Down
Hang drywall on the ceiling first, then the walls. Check the ceiling for bowed joists using a 4-ft. level. Irregularities less than 1/8 in.
Should you hang drywall horizontally or vertically?
As a general rule, for commercial buildings, drywall should be installed vertically. On the other hand, for residential buildings, it’s best to install drywall horizontally to increase structural shear strength.
What is the STC rating of 5/8 drywall?
between 30-34
With two sheets total, of 5/8” drywall utilizing standard insulation we often see STC ratings ranging between 30-34. With two total sheets of ½” drywall (common for residential interior walls) we usually see an STC rating of around 33.
Does drywall reduce noise?
Drywall is primarily comprised of gypsum or calcium sulfate. Gypsum is the core component to drywall, as it is affordable, fire-proof, and helps dampen noise.
How thick should a soundproof wall be?
5 to 6 inches thick
To make a soundproof wall, a standard stud wall built properly, and consisting of 2 sheets of drywall with an air cavity 5 to 6 inches thick, is good enough. To be soundproof, a concrete wall has to be around a foot thick.
Is thicker insulation better for soundproofing?
The thicker, the better for both thermal and noise insulation. It has an STC rating between 44 and 68 depending on thickness and density.
How much does a wall reduce sound?
Soundproof Room Cost by Area
| Area | Cost to Soundproof New Construction (Labor Included) | Cost to Soundproof Already Built Room (Labor Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Walls | $150 – $300 | $100 – $350 |
| Ceiling | $200 – $400 | $100 – $500 |
| Floor | $150 – $1,000 | $100 – $1,500 |
| Windows | $300 – $1,400 | $250 – $1,500 |
What should be the width of cavity wall when used for soundproofing?
Clarification: In cavity wall construction for soundproofing, the width of the cavity should be at least 5 cm. This type of construction ideal from the point of view of soundproofing.
What is the STC rating?
Sound transmission class (STC) is a rating of sound isolation of a building wall assembly. The higher the STC rating, the better sound isolation the wall assembly is to achieve. STC is widely used to rate interior partitions, ceilings/floors, doors, and windows.
How thick should studio walls be?
Vary the drywall thickness on the inside of our studio walls by selecting 1/4″ and 3/8″ thickness. For the outside wall, let us use 3/8″ and 1/2″ with a vinyl layer. Also, vary the thickness of our vinyl between each of our drywall sandwiches.
How do you soundproof a wall?
Install Insulation, Drywall and Acoustic Caulk
The best affordable way to soundproof your walls effectively is to use drywall and other materials to create an air-tight wall space. Installed over insulation and sealed in to form an extra layer in your walls, drywall forms a solid barrier for sound.
How hard is it to soundproof a room?
It’s possible to completely soundproof a room, but you’ll need to address the source of the sound, its entry point, and its reflection points. Depending on these factors, you may use a sound booth, acoustic panels, acoustic foam, curtains, and/or window treatments to block incoming noise.
