How to Soundproof a Party Wall

Table of Contents

What You’ll Learn (and Why It Matters)
Key Tools & Materials You’ll Need
Step-by-Step: How to Soundproof a Party Wall
Retrofitting Options When You Can’t Remove the Wall
Which Solution Is Right For You?
Experience Matters: Why Second Skin?
Need Help or Have Questions?
Helpful Guides You May Want Next

What You'll Learn (and Why It Matters)

Party walls—shared walls between townhomes, condos, or apartments—are one of the most common paths for unwanted noise transfer. Voices, televisions, and pet sounds easily pass through lightweight wall assemblies. This guide focuses on proven construction-based methods to reduce noise through a shared wall, with options for both full rebuilds and retrofit scenarios.

By the End of This Guide, You’ll Be Able To:

Understand why party walls transmit sound so easily
Know when wall removal is recommended—and when it’s not possible
Choose between structural decoupling and added-mass solutions
Apply soundproofing methods appropriate for shared buildings
Decide which solution fits your space, access, and noise problem

Skill

Contractor

Article Read Time

8–10 minutes

Build Time

1–2 days per wall

Key Tools and Materials You'll Need

Key Tools

Drill and driver bits
Utility knife
Measuring tape
Caulking gun

Key Materials

rsic-1 clips in red from different angles

RSIC-1® Resilient Sound Isolation Clips

$4.50

Choose options

Luxury Liner™ 1 lb MLV Roll - Mass Loaded Vinyl

$299.99

Green Glue™ Damping Compound (Drywall, Subfloor)

$399.99

Choose options

Acoustical Sealant Caulk

From $19.99

Shop Wall Soundproofing Materials

Before You Start: Choosing the Right Approach

Soundproofing a party wall is most effective when you can access and modify your side of the wall assembly. Because these walls are shared between units, permission to remove drywall may be required, especially in condos or apartments governed by HOAs or building management.

If removing the wall is not allowed, retrofit methods can still reduce noise, but full wall reconstruction delivers the highest level of sound reduction. Understanding what level of access you have will determine which solution makes sense.

Step-by-Step: How to Soundproof a Party Wall

The following steps walk through the complete process for soundproof a party wall.

Step 1: Remove the Existing Wall

For best results, remove the drywall on your side only of the party wall. Because this wall is shared, again, confirm that removal is permitted under your building’s rules before starting. Access to the framing is required for most high-performance soundproofing methods.

Removing drywall allows you to treat the wall cavity, isolate new surfaces from the structure, and prevent sound from directly vibrating through framing members.

Step 2: Add Insulation Into the Wall Cavity

Once the wall is open, fill the stud cavities with insulation. This step helps reduce airborne noise by absorbing sound energy inside the wall before it reaches the opposite side.

Insulation alone will not soundproof a wall, but it plays a critical supporting role in a complete assembly. For more context, read on if soundproof insulation works.

Step 3: Install Soundproofing Material

Recommended: RSIC-1® Isolation Clips

RSIC-1 clips reduce noise by decoupling the drywall from the studs, preventing vibration from traveling directly through the wall structure.

Screw RSIC-1 clips into the studs
Snap 25 gauge hat channel into the clips
Ensure consistent spacing across the wall

This approach is one of the most effective ways to reduce noise through walls.

Alternative: Luxury Liner™ Mass Loaded Vinyl

Luxury Liner adds mass to the wall, which helps block airborne noise when decoupling is not possible.

Install Luxury Liner™ Roll at full coverage over the studs
Seams should meet over the stud, but if they meet over a gap, overlap seams by 2” and seal with vinyl tape or foil tape
Avoid rigid connections that could transmit vibration

This method focuses on added weight rather than isolation and is often used when structural changes are limited.

Step 4: Add Drywall Layer

Install 5/8" drywall over the soundproofing system, fastening to the hat channel if using RSIC-1 clips. Thicker drywall improves resistance to airborne sound such as voices and TV noise. Leave about 1/8" around the perimeter of the wall to be sealed later.

Step 5: Seal With Acoustical Sealant

Seal the entire perimeter of the wall where drywall meets floors, ceilings, and adjacent walls with acoustical sealant. Even small gaps allow sound to bypass the wall assembly.

Airtight construction is critical to achieving meaningful improvements in STC rating.

Retrofitting Options When You Can’t Remove the Wall

If wall removal isn’t allowed, you can still improve sound isolation using retrofit solutions. RSIC-1 Retro can be installed through existing drywall and into the studs, allowing decoupling without demolition. Another option is applying a second drywall layer using Green Glue™ Noiseproofing Compound to reduce vibration between layers.

These approaches are covered in detail in this guide on how to soundproof an existing wall.

Which Solution Is Right For You?

Feature	RSIC-1 Isolation Clips	Mass Loaded Vinyl	Green Glue
Noise Reduction	High	Medium	Medium-High
Ease of Install	Moderate	Moderate	Easy
Space	Some loss	Minimal loss	Some loss
Best For	Serious shared-wall noise	Added mass without framing changes	Retrofit damping
Cost	Medium	Medium	Medium
	Shop RSIC-1 Isolation Clips	Shop Mass Loaded Vinyl	Shop Green Glue

RSIC-1 clips are ideal when maximum noise reduction is required and wall removal is permitted. Mass loaded vinyl and Green Glue provide alternatives when access or space is limited, but they typically offer less overall isolation.

Experience Matters: Why Second Skin?

25+ Years
in business

3,500+
5-star reviews

Used By
Professional installers and DIY enthusiasts

Made in the USA
Headquarters in Charlotte, NC

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Quality Guarantee
Expert help with premium products

Need Help or Have Questions?

FAQ

Why is a party wall harder to soundproof than a regular wall?

Because it directly connects two living spaces, vibration easily transfers through shared framing.

Can acoustical panels help with party wall noise?

No, acoustic panels treat echo inside a room but do not block sound through the walls. That said, BlocknZorbe™ Multi-Purpose Sound Panels can block a modest amount of sound if installed at 100% coverage with no gaps. Consult us before attempting this as it is not a truly viable solution on its own.

Will soundproofing make the wall completely silent?

It will significantly reduce noise, but complete silence is rarely achievable in shared buildings.

Do I need permission to soundproof a party wall?

You typically need approval to remove drywall, but retrofit methods may be allowed without it.

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