Sound proofing

[Son]

I have a laundry near a bedroom how do i sound proof the walls and where can i get the product?, I am currently doing a remodal. Thanks

[Under_Miner]

If you want a pure, sound PROOF wall, use 2x8 top and bottom plates with 2x4 studs and weave batt insulation through the studs horizontally. This will ensure that any vibration will not tranfer from one side of the wall to the other. The insulation will aid in stopping any air-born noises that might otherwise make it through yor wall. Now, to make the wall super sound proof, you can use what are called resilient channels. These are lightweight steel bars that run horizontally across the face of the studs on the side of the noisier room. These will also dampen any loud viabrations that may occur.

[Dottie]

I would like to add another question to this posting, I hope it's permitted.

Does anyone have any ideas about an inexpensive way to block bass music sounds? There has been an influx of people in my neighborhood that like to play loud music, in their homes, parking lots and just driving past in noisy cars.

I would like to have it quiet, at least in my own bedroom. My walls are plaster, and the doors are solid wood type which I try to keep closed, along with the other interior doors in the house. I usually keep all the double-hung windows in my bedroom tightly closed and have the storm windows down as well. I keep the window ac or fan going to block out the bass sounds, and at times turn on a little sound machine that's supposed to sound like heavy rainfall, but I can still hear the bass. It's like an annoying dripping faucet that you can't fix.

I saw some 2 inch thick foam insulation at Lowes (kind of like the stuff that computers, etc. are packaged in). If I cut that the size of the window opening and tightly "plug" the window opening, would that stop the noise?

Does anyone have any first hand experience with the new triple glazed windows? I really hate to change the old windows, because I really like the way they look and I would also hate to pay a fortune for new windows and not have them stop the bass sound.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any ideas that you have. Thank you for any help you can give me.

[suemarkp]

Those subwoofer sounds are really hard to block. Closing the air paths and isolating walls works well for the mid and higher frequencies, but the best way to dampen that low bass is with mass -- concrete walls.

When I got new windows, I got argon filled ones. This helps the U value but also aids quite a bit in sound deadening. I don't have subwoofer people driving by my house where I live now, so I can't judge how well it works for the low frequencies, but it works well for general sounds (too well actually -- I can't hear the kids outside unless I crack open the window).

I've read that having materials with different sound propogation values helps the most. For example, A wall with 1/2" sheetrock on each side isn't as good as one with 3/8 on one side and 5/8 on the other. Each material lets different ranges of sound through, so using different materials blocks a wider range. Heavier or more dense materials block a lower range of frequencies. I think the argon in the window is similar -- you have air on each side, and argon has a different propogation range. Likewise, having a window with 1/4" glass in one pane and 1/8" in another would also help. I don't have the data for the sound propogation values for different materials, but my gut feel says none of this is going to work for low bass. Do you want to line your walls with lead sheet, as that may be what it takes.

I think most of the people with these subwoofers don't know how truely annoying they can be or how far that sound travels. Many places have sound ordinances limiting sound above X dB at 50' from the source or your property line. I think just about all the annoying ones are over that limit, but I don't like that approach to dealing with the problem.

[Dottie]

We have a sound ordinance, of sorts, but it's not really enforced with the moving cars as far as I can tell. If someone is playing loud music the police will go out eventually, but this really doesn't help for visitors and cars. Or if they decide to turn the music back up when they leave. Besides if you called every time it happened you'd soon get on the police's "crank" list, I'm afraid.

In some areas where peace and quiet are valued, the police are allowed to pull a vehicle over and ticket the driver, the same way they would for other violations, that would be great, but then it would be subjective. The police would have to have the same feelings as you about noise and the noise maker, I suppose could ask for his day in court, instead of paying a fine.

Any way, any more suggestions about blocking sub-woofer sounds? I just would like some simple solution if possible. I don't think lining the walls with lead would work for me. I love the look of my bedroom, and don't want to change it any more than I have to.


Thanks for your replies.

[Under_Miner]

Windows often represent a weak component of sound insulation on exterior walls. Double pane windows with an air space are usually provided for sound insulation. Triple pane windows can provide a slightly higher resistance to sound, however the third window pane will develop resonances of its own thereby reducing the overall attenuation. Fixed windows provide more sound insulation than windows that can be opened. Windows should be properly air sealed to minimize sound leaks which affect energy conservation and sound transmission.

But the best way of dealing with noise is to start on the outside, and work your way in. Again, using the resilient channels is the best way to combat airborne noise. (see below)
http://www.cwc.ca/design/building_science/sound_control/pics/figure_8.5.gif

The spacing of wood studs is also important, the wider the spacing the better. Batt insulation is one of the best sound abatemnet components, there are some insulation that works better than others due to density, check your hardware store and ask about acoustic insulation.

One of the best practices in sound control is the use of double walls, what this does is allows the outer wall to vibrate due to sound, and does not allow that vibration to cross into the inetrior wall, thus killing any aiborne noise. (see below)
http://www.cwc.ca/design/building_science/sound_control/pics/figure_8.6.gif

[Kode VioL8R]

Resilient channels and Batt insulation...is this all stuff that Joe Schmoe can get on his own at a Lowe's or Home Depot place? Or is this something you have to be "in the industry" to obtain?

[Under_Miner]

Resilient channels and Batt insulation...is this all stuff that Joe Schmoe can get on his own at a Lowe's or Home Depot place? Or is this something you have to be "in the industry" to obtain?

The insulation you can get anywhere, it's called acoustic insulation, I'm sure you've seen it, just not aware you have. It's the stuff that comes rolled up (usually white or blue). Not too sure about the resilient channels though, that may be a bit harder to find. But I have seen them used in apartments and duplexes on party walls very often, so they can't be that hard to find.

[iain]

Home depot should carry an insulation Called ROXUL it is resonable in price and excellent in sound proofing as much a I hate of agree with someone from Estevan LOL he is right sound bar or Z bar is the thing to use.

[Under_Miner]

Home depot should carry an insulation Called ROXUL it is resonable in price and excellent in sound proofing as much a I hate of agree with someone from Estevan LOL he is right sound bar or Z bar is the thing to use.

HEY! I'm not from here, I just live here http://foolstown.com/sm/wink.gif...... let's get that straight! http://foolstown.com/sm/gy.gif

[Dottie]

Since I posted this last year, I came up with a solution, of sorts.

Last year I was about to lose my mind with loud music, barking dogs, and shrieking children; well at my wits end I decided to try this.

I went to Lowes and got pieces of that styrofoam insulation, it's about 1 inch thick (they also have 2 inch). I cut out pieces to fit snuggly into my windows (I cut around the window a/c) and so far this year I've been able to sleep better, and not be pushed to the brink of insanity by inconsiderate, noisy people. I actually slept through a police and fire call for a burning car almost directly across the street.

I don't want to give the impression that this blocks all sound, but it does a pretty good job of muffling it to a tolerable level.

The tradeoff is that I have to go downstairs if I want to see what the weather's like and it makes the room dark in the daytime (not such a downside if you want to take a nap, or sleep in). It also costs me more I suppose in electric lights, but maybe overall the utilities will be less because the windows are insulated.

Anyway this was a quick and easy fix that costs less than $25 for four windows, and the only tools I used was a box cutter and a metal square. And the added sleep time and the deficit in the wear and tear on my nerves is well worth it.

Dottie

[Mr Fixit eh]

This is not a quick n easy fix, but it is an effective product http://www.nrtna.com/silentwall.html

Another product that would be quick n easy is a sound isolating rubber product http://www.nrtna.com/quietdown_qdwood.html

Another similar product is called Mass Loaded Vinyl http://www.soundproofing.org/infopages/flooring.htm With either product, you could hang a sheet of it in front of the window, if you don't want all the bother of a home reno project.

Another idea that might help is sound-cancelling headphones, if the noise is most bothersome at bed time. They are costly, but effective.