There are two main categories of noise control. One is improving acoustics, which is all about the quality of sound and improving speech intelligibility. Acoustics control techniques use a variety of sound absorption materials, like acoustic panels, and other strategies to reduce the echoes inside of a room and the reverberations that come from sound bouncing off the walls. Acoustics control improves the sound quality within a room (think of a music recording studio) but DOES NOT prevent noise from entering or exiting the room.

The second category is soundproofing or sound isolation, which calls for the installation of sound blocking materials. Sound isolation creates barriers that keep exterior sounds OUT and interior sounds IN the space. By preventing sound from getting into or out of a space, you reduce or eliminate the disruptions and distractions unwanted noise can create. Sound isolation requires planning and precision, but anyone can do them with basic knowledge and a little attention to detail.

It's common for people to get confused about soundproofing vs acoustics when researching "wall soundproofing" or "soundproofing a room". If you understand the previous two paragraphs though, then you're well on your way to solving your noise control issue.

Key Terms to Know for Wall Soundproofing

We’ll dig deeper into what it really means to soundproof a wall, but first, let’s review and make sure we’re talking the same language with some key principles.

• Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating. STC rating is a measurement of how effective a barrier is at stopping the transmission of sound across a variety of frequencies. Though they are calculated in a lab under ideal conditions, STC ratings are the best tool we have to easily understand how effective a barrier.is at stopping sound transmission.
• Transmission Loss (TL). TL is a measurement of the difference in decibels on two sides of a barrier. For example, if you’re listening to music in the kitchen (let’s say 50 decibels of sound) and it can be heard in the room on the other side of the wall (30 decibels), there would be a 20-decibel transmission loss through the wall. Keep in mind that TL and STC ratings are NOT the same thing.
• Flanking. Flanking paths, or flanking sound, refers to the noise that indirectly travels over, under, or around sound barriers. A flanking path is also referred to as a "sound leak". Sound behaves a lot like water as it leaks through unsealed gaps or openings.

Basic Principles for Soundproofing a Wall

1. A wall is only as strong as its weakest point. And an air gap is the weakest of all weak points. Air gaps could be a poorly sealed window, a doorway, a gap at the baseboard, or the open space around an electric outlet. All these gaps are a big problem when soundproofing. A 1% air gap will reduce the max transmission loss (TL) of a wall to, at best, 20 decibels no matter how expensive and dense the materials used to construct it. While it may seem obvious that having a hole in your wall is a big problem, many are surprised by how small that hole can be and still make a huge difference. You always need to seal ALL gaps, and acoustic caulk is your "go to" tool to seal up your barrier.

The weak point doesn't have to be open air. Two other common weak points are doors and windows. Hollow core doors and the air gap beneath doors will result in sound leak. To actually soundproof a door, you need a solid core door with a Sound Lock™ Door Seal Kit. For windows, while you might think that adding one small window will have one-third of the effect of adding three windows, you’d be wrong. The fact is, adding any amount of “weaker” material to a barrier results in a big drop-off in soundproofing. That's why we developed our Fantastic Frame™ Soundproof Window Inserts to mitigate the issue of a lower performing window substantially pulling down the performance of the wall around it. Here's a graphic depicting this effect. Notice how a wall that is 50% brick and 50% window overall has an STC rating closest to a wall that's 100% glass.

3. More mass means more noise blocking. By installing Luxury Liner™ mass loaded vinyl directly to the wall studs where it can still flex as it hangs loosely between the wood studs you now have an effective sound barrier. For more information on mass loaded vinyl use, check out our page on what is mass loaded vinyl. We recommend you get MLV that's 48" wide for wall soundproofing to save a lot of time (24" OC or 16" OC studs). Seal all seams and edges with acoustic caulk and install a new layer of 5/8" drywall. Read more on how to install mass loaded vinyl here.

We want you to get the results you're looking for, and there are a huge number of potential wall assemblies to get you there. The one most relevant to you will depend on whether the project is commercial or residential, new construction or a retrofit, fire requirements, STC requirements, and more. We've picked out some common wall assemblies we use in our soundproofing projects.

"Just how much does it cost to soundproof a wall?" you might ask. Check out our article for more information or reach out to our Second Skin team.

Wood Stud Wall assembly soundproofing

A wood stud wall assembly is easily the most common residential wall assembly. When soundproofing a wood stud wall, the best option will depend on how soundproof you need the wall to be. Please check the catalogs on our product pages or reach out to a Second Skin soundproofing expert with any specific questions. Each case is different, but here are some trusted solutions that all work great:

1. 1. Luxury Liner™ mass loaded vinyl (STC 47) - with an effective sound barrier like Luxury Liner™, you can get STC ratings in the high 40s because you’re varying the barriers that sound needs to travel through.
   2. RSIC-1® clips (STC 55) - RSIC-1™ Isolation Clips will give your wall superb STC ratings, are UL rated, and are easy to install to improve soundproofing performance. RSIC-1® clips are a great mass loaded vinyl alternative, and our #1 choice for most wall soundproofing projects.

Steel stud Wall assembly soundproofing

A steel stud wall assembly (3-5/8” or 6”) is going to be most common in commercial spaces. Noise is a common problem in commercial buildings both in traditional offices with lots of walls and open office designs. Steel frame construction performs slightly better than wood frame, but we’re in the same ballpark for STC ratings. Contact our experts for more information!

1. 1. Luxury Liner mass loaded vinyl (STC 50) - by combining 5/8" drywall with Luxury Liner™, you can get up an STC 50.
   2. RSIC-1® clips (STC 58) - RSIC-1® Clips are the best wall soundproofing choice for the majority of cases. They're UL rated, easy to install, and provide high STC ratings.

Concrete Wall assembly soundproofing

Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks are another wall type mostly found in commercial spaces or basements. Concrete needs less soundproofing because it's already so heavy! Adding MLV is not effective, because of the mass law curve. The best thing you can do with concrete is stud it out so you can add insulation, RSIC-1® clips, and drywall. You can also use the RSIC-1® clips instead without studding out the wall. Here's the spec:

Once you’ve reached the desired STC rating, you’ll want to improve the sound quality within your space. When sound reflects off your wall, reverberations can muddy up the sound and reduce speech intelligibility. Adding absorptive material to your newly soundproofed room will correct that. Remember, this is not a substitute for soundproofing as this will not block sound from transferring between spaces. We have a variety of different options, depending on the aesthetics you’re going for, all of which are Class A fire rated and available in 1” and 2” thickness.

PolyZorbe™ Polyester Acoustic Panels

PolyZorbe™ Polyester Acoustic Panels are easy to install with construction adhesive and spray adhesive, and they come in white, beige, and black. Our PolyZorbe™ Hexagon Acoustic Panels can be used for a unique design aesthetic with a ton of color options to choose from.

Timberwool™ Wood Fiber Acoustic Panels

If you want a paintable, wood panel, Timberwool™ Wood Fiber Acoustic Panels are for you. To install them, you’ll need to screw them into the wall and use mechanical fasteners due to the weight.

Acoustic Pro™ Fabric Wrapped Acoustic Panels

Acoustic Pro™ Anchorage Fabric Wrapped Panels are a hot commodity due to their high-end aesthetics and superb acoustical properties. With multiple colors to choose from, you can’t beat these acoustic panels. Check out this home studio soundproofing project using fabric wrapped panels.

You’ll need to consider the ceiling as well, especially with taller ceilings. Our PolyZorbe™ Acoustic Ceiling Tiles are a great option for that. For help with that and how many acoustic panels you need, check out our guide or give one of our specialists a call.

Way to go! You made it to the bottom of the wall soundproofing article (unless you just scrolled down here…). The steps we’ve outlined can be handled by many DIY-ers. Start by identifying the root cause of the noise, and pick a solution that makes sense with your goals. With all projects, do it right the first time.