AR-402

REPORT ON
SOUNDPROOFING
BUILLDING CONSTRUCTION

BHANVI JAIN
B.ARCH 4TH YEAR
JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA
SOUNDPROOFING IN STUDY ROOM
Soundproofing a study room is essential for creating an
environment conducive to focus, productivity, and mental well-
being. A quiet space minimizes distractions from both external
noises, like traffic or conversations, and internal sounds, such as
household activities. This helps maintain concentration, which is
crucial for studying, reading, and problem-solving. Moreover,
soundproofing improves the acoustics of the room, reducing
echoes and ensuring better clarity, whether for listening to
lectures, recording audio, or engaging in virtual meetings.

MATERIALS USED FOR SOUNDPROOFING CEILING

For sound insulation, materials of different thicknesses, sound absorption, and installation
methods are produced. Let us briefly describe the most effective of them.

Drop Ceiling with Acoustic Tiles: If you want to cover the ceiling with a suspended grid,
you can use acoustic tiles designed to absorb sound.

Acoustic Tiles:
Material: Acoustic tiles are often made from a range of sound-absorbing materials
like mineral fiber, fiberglass, or recycled materials. Some high-performance acoustic
tiles are made with a perforated surface to enhance sound absorption.
Sound Absorption: These tiles are designed to absorb sound waves, preventing echoes
and improving the room’s acoustics. The tiles have a porous structure that traps sound
energy, converting it into heat and thus reducing the sound's intensity.
Size and Aesthetic: Acoustic tiles come in various sizes, finishes, and designs.
Common finishes include smooth, textured, or patterned surfaces. Some tiles may be
designed with a decorative aesthetic in mind, fitting the style of the room while
serving their functional purpose.
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC): The NRC rating measures how effectively a
material absorbs sound. Acoustic tiles typically have an NRC rating of 0.5 to 0.9, with
higher ratings being more effective at soundproofing.
FRAME
According to reviews, this is the best option for soundproofing from neighbors in an
apartment. To arrange the insulation system, a frame is assembled from a metal profile.
Loose acoustic insulation is inserted inside and sewn up with special noise-insulating
material. During the assembly process, vibration suspensions, vibrating washers, and
substrates are used.
Pros
Gives a good sound insulation effect due to the use of several sound-absorbing layers.
It is possible to conceal wires or other communications.
Minimal finishing of the ceiling, since the surface is smooth, without height differences.
Minuses
Difficult installation.
High cost of materials and labor.
Reduces the height of the room by several centimeters.

INSTALLATION

Prepare Base: Remove old finish, repair defects, fill cracks, and prime with two layers.
Install Acoustic Membrane: Apply end-to-end with glue if needed; secure with dowels.
Mark Frame Layout: Mark fastener spots, spacing guides 2-3 cm less than insulation
width.
Prepare Guides: Attach polyethylene tape to guide backs.
Install Vibration Suspensions: Mount every 0.4 m in rows, 0.6 m apart, using wedge
anchors.
Assemble Frame: Attach guides to suspensions and perimeter, secure profiles with
fasteners.
Place Insulation: Fit tightly, seal joints with acrylic sealant.
Cover Frame: Fix plasterboard sheets with self-tapping screws.
ACOUSTIC FOAM TILE
Acoustic foam tiles are made from open-cell foam materials, typically polyurethane or
melamine foam. These tiles are often used to reduce sound reflections and control sound
within a room.
Sound Absorption: Acoustic foam tiles are highly effective at absorbing mid to high-
frequency sounds, such as echoes and voice reflections, but less effective for low-
frequency sounds.
Applications: Often used in recording studios, theaters, and home offices where
controlling sound reflections is important.
Advantages: Highly effective at controlling reverberations, available in various shapes
(e.g., wedges, pyramids), and easy to install.
Example Brands: Auralex Acoustics, Acoustimac.

COST ESTIMATE
BRAND - Lebenforce
12 Pack Self-Adhesive Acoustic Panels
SIZE - 12" X 12" X 0.4" High-Density Polyester Sound
Proof Panels for Walls, Soundproof Wall Panels for
Home & Office (Black)

MATERIAL USED FOR SOUNDPROOFING WALL

Sound Insulation Pad is made from high density acoustic poly - urethane with flat surface to
absorb and isolate maximum sound & vibrations.
Its used behind permanent or temporary wall systems, suspended or permanent ceilings and
can be used as base layer before application of any other material for soundproofing.
This pad can be sandwiched easily between walls using spray adhesive due to its flat surface.
Its highly fire retardant and tested by ARAl for its NRC and STC.
Soundproofing wall pads can be inserted in the wall cavity or can be applied on existing
wall to block unwanted sound. For achievement of a soundproof room or area, wall
insulation pads are applied on entire wall to isolate the two different areas, acting as a
noise reducing sound absorber.

Thickness goes upto 3.20 in higher thicknesses. Higher thickness is available as per order.
Sound Insulation pad can be covered with acoustic foam, Acoustic Boards, fabric, gypsum,
wall, wooden panels and metal panels.
Its 100% non carcinogenic and emits zero odour.
Its applied using Spray adhesive on any surface. This is also used on ceilings for multi floor
soundproofing treatments.

Wall soundproofing pads are used in India for many prestigious construction projetcs like
Multiplexes, Home Theatres, Auditoriums, Recording Studio, Conference Halls etc.

COST ESTIMATE

MATERIAL USED FOR SOUNDPROOFING FLOOR

Cork flooring
A Cork Floating Floor plank incorporates a middle layer of fibreboard –
preferably High Density Fibreboard (HDF) with moisture resistant properties.
The middle layer allows for a locking system to be introduced for ease of
installation.

Installation
Step 1: Marking and Layout. Dry lay cork tiles, adjusting for best visual appeal. Mark every 3rd or
4th row with chalk for alignment. Identify tiles needing cuts but do not cut yet.
Step 2: Applying Adhesive Use a nap roller to apply adhesive to tile backs and floor quadrant.
Let it dry (45-60 min) until clear and shiny.
Step 3: Laying Cork Tiles Start from the chalk line and work outward. Lay tiles carefully,
adjusting as you go. Press firmly with a rubber mallet. Use a damp cloth to wipe excess
adhesive.
Step 4: Cutting Tiles Mark and cut tiles using a T-square and utility knife. Place and press cut
tiles.
Step 5: Completing Installation Continue laying tiles following the previous steps.
Step 6: Cleaning and Curing Vacuum and clean adhesive residues. Light foot traffic allowed after
installation. Let cure for 24 hours before applying polyurethane.
Step 7: Applying Polyurethane Lightly sand the factory finish with 180+ grit sandpaper. Apply Loba
polyurethane with a microfiber roller in one direction. Wait 6-12 hours between coats. Avoid
furniture and heavy use for 5-10 days.
Step 8: Maintenance Damp clean after 14 days using a slightly wet cloth. Avoid wet mops and
chemicals for 30 days to prevent finish damage.

Anti-Vibration Soundproof Floor Mats

Soundproof floor mats are another interesting option to arrest impact sound and vibration
leading to structural airborne noise.
It is a known fact that certain appliances and machines create a lot of vibration and noise.
Anti-vibration soundproof mats help to kill annoying humming sounds and vibrations.
These types of mats are effective at reducing noise, and since they eliminate vibration they
are also ideal for installation beneath and inside machinery and appliances, as well as to
soundproof cars.
They can also offer a level of acoustic absorption on a surface or within a room to help
reduce unwanted regeneration/resonance and enhance high-end audio performance.
Uses: beneath or behind appliances or machines, to reduce the transmission of noise and
vibrations.
Pros: simple and effective soundproofing solution when the
source of the noise is from machines or appliances.
Cons: ideally used in conjunction with other soundproofing
methods for best results.
 ADDITIONAL SOUNDPROOFING MATERIALS
Resilient Channels
Resilient sound channels are the main way of decoupling drywall from internal structures of
buildings.

Resilient sound channels are strips of metal or timber that are installed to the walls so that the
soundproof insulation within the walls can be kept firmly in place, whilst providing a platform onto
which all finishing systems can be attached.
This eliminates the direct contact that there would otherwise be through the layers of structure –
walls, ceiling, floors.

Pros: relatively easy to install, come with practical gaps/holes

Cons: low cost, will take considerable time to install if there’s a
large surface area to cover.

Sealing Gaps:
Make sure to seal gaps around windows, doors, and electrical
outlets with acoustic sealant or weatherstripping to reduce sound
leakage.

Heavy Curtains: Thick, heavy curtains or drapes can help block

noise from outside and absorb sound inside the room.

Acoustic Plaster
Like acoustic plasterboard, acoustic plaster finishes have been around for years.
Varying ingredients, compounds and systems can increase or decrease weight and flexibility to
further reduce surface reflections and in doing so help with equalisation of the internal
acoustics.
Uses: shopping centres and theatres, universities,
restaurants, office spaces
, entrance halls, museums, libraries, dining areas as
well as some very
exclusive private residences.
Pros: can further help to reduce surface reflection
and resonance.
Cons: although increased depth and weight can add
to deflection of
sound waves, these are invariably used for increased acoustic calibration.
TERMINOLGIES

MASSING
Soundproofing by means of massing relies on adding dense,
heavy materials to structures to block sound transmission. This
method works on the principle that heavier materials resist
vibrations, preventing sound from passing through walls, floors,
and ceilings
Materials Used:
Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV), Drywall (Multiple Layers)

DECOUPLING
Decoupling is a soundproofing technique that involves creating a physical separation
between structural elements (walls, ceilings, floors) to prevent sound vibrations from
transferring through solid materials. This method is highly effective in blocking low-
frequency sounds and impact noise.
Materials Used:
Resilient Channels:, Sound Isolation Clips

AIRLOCKS
Airlocks are often used in soundproofing environments,
particularly in spaces that need to block out external
noise or prevent sound from escaping. An airlock is
essentially a small room or vestibule with two doors: one
that leads to the outside or the main space, and one that
leads into the soundproofed area.

DAMPING
Soundproofing through damping is a technique that involves reducing the intensity
of sound vibrations by absorbing or dissipating the energy of the sound waves. This
is achieved using materials and methods that convert sound energy into heat or
distribute it in a way that reduces its impact.
Materials Used:
Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV), Acoustic foam: