I’m seeking opinions on the best way to soundproof an existing sheetrock/metal stud wall in my wife’s business’ commercial space.
She runs a doggie day care facility and dogs do what they do best: bark.
A soon to move-in neighboring business is complaining about barking.
The existing metal stud / sheetrock construction may or may not have fiberglass insulation within.
I’m thinking (to avoid tear-out time and money) to overlay my side of the wall with at least 1†blue-foam insulation sheet. First to screw 1†furring strips over every metal stud, mounting the blue foam in-between my strips then covering with new sheet rock at least ½â€ thick.
I’m looking for suggestions and also wondering what music studios do to keep the noise down? Any thoughts???
Thanks
Patch E. Fogg
Replies
I’m looking for suggestions and also wondering what music studios do to keep the noise down?
There's no cheap alternative. Music studios have both the problem of sound transmission (through walls) and sound absorption. They deal with the former by using solid masonry (mass helps most) and/or layers of sheetrock. They deal with the latter by using absorptive/anechoic wall surfaces.
Basically you need lots of mass (heavy weight) without gaps between the dogs and the next door office. Acoustic insulation helps a little but is not anywhere near as effective as mass. Blueboard is a waste of time IMO. It might help to have some surfaces (acoustic tile, usually, since carpeting and dogs don't go together) on the dog side too.
T. Jeffery Clarke
Thanks for the thoughts. I'm certainly open to any and all suggestions. Solid masonary is out due to the existing wall.
Layers of sheetrock is an option that I'm considering and wondering why you think blue foam a waste of time? What do you mean: IMO?
My thinking is that there is a lyer of 1/2" sheetrock on the neighbor's side; a vacuum of stud thickness with or without insullation; then my side's layer of sheetrock.
To this I'll add the layer of blue foam (a dense foam that should [I think] have some noise dampening value) and right over the blue foam I'll mount a layer of 1/2" sheetrock. This equals: 3 layers sheetrock sandwiching the blue foam... I'm not trying to be opositional to your thoughts but am wondering if you think this not enough or if the blue foam merely takes up space and offers no sound reduction value?
Let me know your thoughts and thanks again.
Patch
Here's some reading for you.
http://www.saecollege.de/reference_material/pages/Isolation.htm
Make sure you follow the link that takes you here...
http://www.saecollege.de/reference_material/pages/STC%20Chart.htm
Edited 6/24/2002 4:05:29 PM ET by JJSHAW
Foam = lightweight = ineffective.
IMO = In My OpinionT. Jeffery Clarke
Quidvis Recte Factum Quamvis Humile Praeclarum
The foam is rigid and vibrates. Tap on a coffee cup, it drums nicely. Soft surfaces, on the other hand, #### up a lot of the sound (most of the sound we hear is reflected) carpet the wall and pad everything else (bottoms of tables, backs of cabinets etc.) Insulate any wall penetrations (outlets, switches). Adding sheetrock to the wall to increase mass will help somewhat. Vary the drywall thickness 1/2" vs. 5/8" to have different resonant frequencies.
What is overhead and below? All the good wall insulating work in the world won't do any good if the sound can go around.No problems, only opportunities.
For the record this fine system edited out the word s*u*c*k from my earlier message. Maybe we should stop using butt, nail and hammer because 11 year olds will giggle.No problems, only opportunities.
NO NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOO..............
Your doing it all wrong,...... it simple, just feed them dogs peanut butter,shut's 'em right up, they will be trying to lick the roof of their mouths all day,...
no turn left unstoned
Hey! Loved the peanut butter idea...mmmmmm....
...if I schmear da penut butter on the wall it will have a double effect of insulation and quieting... cool!
Anyway, for those who are interested I went to Thomas' Register and found some suppliers who manufactur acustical wall systems.
here are some links and names... I'll be calling them.
As far as my earlier question about foam - I think the hard styrofoam idea is not too good at this point. Of the manufactured panels on the market made to dampen sound, they are an open cell soft foam with hills and valleys or cone shaped bumps, etc...
some of these links (specifically asi-stop.com) has pictures of places like swimming pools and large rooms with these panels hanging. They also offer indoor gun range wall coverings to deal with the very loud sound of hand guns going off. (hmmmm... maybe I can use them next time I'm framing indoors and using my hilti to drive the sill plate anchors into a foundation)
We'll thanks for your thougts...
PatchEFogg
http://www.asi-stop.com
illbruck-Sonex
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Product DescriptionHUSHCORE™ Acoustical Products & Systems For Industrial, In-Plant, Commercial, Architectural, Environmental, & OEM Applications. New Design Or Retrofit Projects. Turnkey Services
Empire Acoustical Systems
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Product DescriptionMfr. Of Light-Weight, Metal Acoustic Panels (Reflective & Absorptive) Designed To Help Specific Noise Control Problems & Available In A Variety Of Colors. Products Meet UBC, AASHTO, AISC & AISI Standards. Designed For Indoor & Outdoor Working & Living Environments & Suitable For Harsh Working Environments. Installation. Factory Technical Support Available. Turn-Key Projects & Rentals
http://www.eaglepanels.com
http://www.soundseal.com
http://www.tecnifoam.com
The Homosote company makes a board that they sell specifically as a sound-deadening board. I can't immediately find the company's website, but there are descriptions here:
http://livingreen.com/homasote.html
http://www.tenant.net/Rights/Noise/noise3.html