Soundproofing FAQ

1) What is the difference between Soundproofing and Acoustics?

Soundproofing is the process where you are trying to contain sound from passing through a membrane i.e. keeping sound from leaving a room or from entering a room. Acoustics is the process where you are trying to control the sound in a room i.e. from echoing off the walls.

2) Is it really possible to create a soundproof barrier?

Definitely. Soundproofing is an art and when done properly with the right materials and applied to the correct places you will be pleasantly surprised at the amazing results.

3) What has changed in the soundproofing industry in the past couple of years?

The construction industry standard for sound control was basically: Insulation, Fiber Board and Resilient Channel. The results are not the greatest to say the least. New products like Damping Compound (Green Glue) Resilient Sound Clips (Whisper Clips) and a better understanding of sound control which includes the use of Acoustical Caulk, Acoustic Pads on electric outlets, Sound Seals on Doors etc. have changed the face of the sound control industry and any contractor/homeowner willing to put in the effort will reap outstanding results.

4) Will stuffing more insulation in my walls/ceilings help me?

Not really. Insulation is but one step in the soundproofing process (an important one that should not be skipped) and adding more of it or more expensive ones (like spray foam, cotton etc.) will not give you that much more. Save your money and move on to the other steps. Read more about Insulation for Soundproofing.

5) What is the best advice you can give me when constructing a new building?

The best thing you can do and this is very important for contractors and architects of hotels and condos is to put down a complete set of 2 sub floors with a damping compound like Green Glue sandwiched in between before the framing of the walls begin. This should be done on each floor. The advantages of doing this are enormous and it will save you a tremendous amount of headache later on when trying to eliminate noise problems associated with flanking noise, recessed lights etc.

Another great thing to do is to build double or at least staggered stud walls in any areas of concern. The benefits of doing these two simple construction techniques will assure you of great results in sound controlling your projects.

6) Why can't I just install materials that have STC ratings of 60 and higher?

If you see materials claiming very high STC numbers, usually they will fall under the category of "if it's too good to be true than it probably is". Look (usually you will have to ask for it) closely at the testing and see what other materials were used in the process. Don't be surprised to see concrete floors or funny spacing of studs etc.

Additionally keep in mind that when a product tests to an STC as a free standing membrane e.g. an STC of 27 does not mean that in a wall/ceiling assembly it will add another 27 STC points it may only add 3 points. Therefore you should always look for testing in wall assemblies similar to the project you are looking to construct.

7) We are building a Hotel or Large Multi-Family project. Can't we just rely on our architect?

Architects are great people and their specialty is designing the project and the construction materials to be used. With the hundreds of components that are involved in every construction project it is impossible to expect an architect to be an expert in every aspect of the project. Instead they have to rely heavily on suppliers and sellers to support their claims through verified tested paperwork allowing the responsibility to be shifted onto the supplier.

If you have done some research on the subject of soundproofing you are sure to have seen just how complicated and confusing it can be. We will just give you one example of a company that was rehabbing a luxury 5 star hotel in South Carolina due to sound control issues. They were convinced to use a very expensive highly touted material with claims of high STC ratings. With half the project under way they realized that the actual on field performance was actually not that great. That is when Trademark Soundproofing received the call from some very harried customers trying to see what went wrong and what they can do for the 2nd half of the project. Our suggestion and materials were less expensive with far better results.

It is imperative for each Hotel/Condo/Multi-family builder/owner to rely on their own research and present that to the architect in order to achieve great results on their sound control and at the same time will probably save themselves a nice amount of money.

8) How about Spray Foam Insulation. I heard that is a great soundproofing product?

Save your money and use cheap (about 3-4 times cheaper) fiberglass or cellulose insulation. Use the extra money on an extra layer of drywall and quality damping compound/Resilient Sound Clips.

Insulation absorbs some sound waves and that's it. The fiberglass will absorb as much if not more than the spray foam. If you carefully read the tests you will see that all insualtions across the board add about 3-4 STC points. This has been confirmed to us by many builders.

In the real field spray foam may actually exacebrate your sound issues. The reason being, you want to keep the building materials as seperated from each other as possible, think "decoupling", Spray foam acts like an extremely powerful adheisive, pulling all the membranes i.e. joists and sheathing, together allowing for easier sound transfer.

(As a side note one thing we do hear from contractors and we have noticed it as well during sound control installs that we have done is that contrary to "science soundproofing" mineral wool and cellulose are better at controlling sound than fiberglass. Either way if you are on a budget fiberglass will do the job).

9) How about the brown fiber board? Every one uses that as "Soundboard"!

The only place fiber board has any use by professional soundproofing companies is on the floor. You read that right, sandwich some fiberboard and Green Glue between 2 layers of sub flooring and you will have a great floor for absorbing impact sound. In walls and ceilings it just does not make the cut. We need "Mass" and drywall is heavier than fiber board. We need absorption, fiberglass can absorb, fiber board is not absorptive enough. When applying a damping compound like Green Glue you need 2 smooth rigid membranes, fiber board is not as smooth as dry wall. Bottom line: use more drywall if you are looking to beef up your walls or ceilings.

10) You got me thinking; now how do I know what really works and which materials are suitable for my project?

Trademark Soundproofing was analyzing and applying all types of soundproofing materials for 2 years before we opened up TMsoundproofing.com. Additionally we are constantly getting feedback from our growing base of builders and General Contractors. If you read through our articles and browse our carefully selected materials you will notice that what we write makes sense and we are not trying to sell just anything that goes, our reputation depends on it. Additionally browse the internet and you will slowly get the picture of the right way to soundproof, then come back here and see how we prepared it all for you. And remember always feel free to pick up a phone and give us a call at 845-388-1200.

11) What is all the hype about Green Glue?

Green Glue is a visco-elastic damping compound which when applied between 2 rigid membranes e.g. 2 layers of drywall will dissipate (destroy) sound waves that hit the panel thus preventing them from traveling through and/or along the membrane.
Green Glue is the most thoroughly tested and used damping compound on the market and it so versatile that it can be used on floors, walls and ceilings.
Our own field installation and customer feedback has proven time and again that Green Glue lives up to its name by providing outstanding sound isolation results. Read more about Green Glue Damping Compound here.

12) How does an STC reduction compare to a DB reduction?

STC scores are loosely equivalent to db reduction. The difference is that an STC score is determined by comparing actual transmission loss by frequency to a set curve for each STC to determine the score. A db drop would depend on the type of noise needing to be blocked and how much noise the wall/door could stop at the frequencies of that noise.

Customers Questions and Answers

1) Dominic: In my current home I want to add sound control to certain areas. For example the second floor bathroom can be heard in the dining area. How can i add sound control without a major rennovation?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Dominic. At a minimum you would have to blow insulation in the ceiling and add a 2nd layer of drywall. If that is a consideration than please see more details on our soundproofing existing ceilings article.

2) Mark A. : Is your green glue safe for automotive use? I'm thinking about adapting your technology using Mass Loaded Vinyl, green glue (in between) MLV and Neoprene CCF as a top sheet for my classic Jeep. I realize road noise will always be there from the sides and the top, but the recent addition of a performance V8 engine, dual exhaust , and performance mufflers (right under back seat) are causing so much noise it sounds like i'm in a sheet metal race car. I'm looking to eliminate exhaust noise, but retain the performance exhaust I have. Classic jeeps have no insulation and my wife will not ride in my 72 CJ 5 unless I quiet it down. Looking to see if it makes sense purchasing your technology. The car companies like Dynamat, don't have great reputations and the other roll on liquid products just wont cut it. I need something from the pros who know how to sound proof. Thanks for your time. Feel free to call me if it's more convenient for you. Thanks -Mark

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Mark, It would work but since Green Glue is designed to work at room temperature it will lose performance as temperature rises or lowers. Many of our customers use our MLV for this application with good results. Thank You,

3) Rick L: What would be the best product for sound damping plumbing drain pipes in new construction where the pipes are still exposed? I know some people use cast iron drops and abs for the balance of the drains but not everyone thinks or can afford the cast iron. Do you recommend wrapping the pipes with MLV or do you have another product?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Rick, MLV and insulation around the pipe and then double drywall with green Glue on the wall/ceiling that pie is in. We also have an MLV bonded to fiberglass for pipes. See our Soundproofing Pipe Wrap here.

4) Natalie: Hi there, We just did a remodel and the contractor used spray foam in the wall separating 2 bedrooms. We now hear everything between those 2 bedrooms! What is the best way to soundproof that wall without removing the existing (new) drywall? Will green glue and a new layer of drywall be enough? Please let me know. Thanks!

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Natalie, Yes unfortunately we "hear" that many times from clients and have experienced it first hand as well. Spray Foam is not recommended by us for sound control. Adding a 2nd layer of drywall with Green Glue to your wall should help a lot. If you have an open air space (attic) above the 2 rooms then you need to treat the ceiling as well.

5) Sara: Hi there, We are experiencing increased train traffic including horns in the middle of the night. We are about 5 car lengths from the tracks and have a new (2012) constructed manufactured home. We're looking to soundproof inside the walls that face the track and do something with the windows. Any suggestions?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Sara, Adding a 2nd layer of drywall with Green Glue Damping Compound in between is the right way to go for the walls and ceiling. A window sound control panel while a little clumsy, work very well for windows.

You can read a more detailed article here 

https://www.tmsoundproofing.com/soundproofing-a-room.html

6) Graham: Question: I am looking at the following ceiling assembly for a floor that is already installed: Joist tape 1/2\" gyp with all edges sound sealed green glue 5/8\" gyp with all edges sound sealed Is the joist tape a reasonable alternative to clips?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Graham, Joist Gasket Tape is not a reasonable alternative to clips and channels which can add an huge 15 STC points to your assembly. The main point of decoupling is to make sure the drywall is not directly secured to the joists which is not done when using the tape. If you are on a budget you can consider using our Value Clips.

7) Donya d: downstairs neighbor complaining of noise my floors are all tile considering wall to wall carpet , can this be done on top of the existing tile? what other soundproof products should I use ? thank you

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Donya, You should speak to a carpet installer in regards to installing it over your tile. If you will be doing that, we would recommend that you use the Premium Carpet Underlayment. Thank You

8) Tyler W: I recently built a wood working shop inside half of a 900 sq ft. tin sided shed. I have a non-oiled (ie. loud) air compressor in the shed but outside the shop. I would like to build a cabinet around the compressor to reduce the noise. I have thought about using 2x2s as a frame, and encasing it with 1/4"-1/2" plywood. Is there anything else I can do to reduce the sound?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Tyler. Yes, use 2 layers os 1/2" plywood and sandwich the Green Glue Damping Compound between the 2 layers. You can also add fiberglass panels between the frame to absorb some of the sound. Thank You

9) Paul F: we are putting insulation in our basement ceiling to dampen the sound. I am getting conflicting advice about whether it is better to go with R30 batts in an 8 inch cavity or to go with blown-in fiberglass. Also which is better for filling tight spaces-batt or blown-in?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Paul. Our advice is. Don't knock yourself when it comes to insulation. Use whichever is simpler and cheaper, usually fiberglass batts. Nearly all the insulation will perform adequately in absorbing the sound waves. Concentrate more on the decoupling, damping and proper sealing.

10) Aaron: I have an 1890s victorian multi-family home with hardwood floors upstairs, covered with a pet-safe carpet pad and pile carpet. Downstairs, the footsteps have been aided by the carpet, but if the dog plays, or someone drops something, etc., there is thumping downstairs that wakes up the downstairs tenants. I am going to try a large wool area rug in the living room upstairs, where the dog is frequently, but am considering solutions for the ceiling below. I don't want to rip out the original plaster and lathe ceilings, so was considering adding green glue and a layer of drywall, but then came across isomax clips and resilient channel. What would you recommend? Is the glue and drywall adequate to stop impact sounds from above, or do I need some kind of decoupling clips?? Any advice appreciated. I have a couple 200 sq foot rooms where noise is an issue, and cost is a factor here as well. Thanks, Aaron

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Aaron. If footstep and impact sound is your main concern than using Resilient Sound Clips and Channels are the way to go. Thank You

11) Tom: I am a developer with a new multi story, high-end condo building going up. I bought the air rights above the conference room - banquet room wing of a new hotel. I am concerned about events in the banquet facility, receptions, parties, etc. with live music transmitting below our first floor. There's a ceiling in the banquet area that is part dry wall, part acoustic tile. There's a space of apprx 10' between their ceiling and the first floor of the condos. The condo floor is a poured in place, 8" concrete slab. Already, most of the plumbing drain lines for the condo are in and the grid system for the ceiling below. There is not enough room to install a suspended gypboard ceiling between the banquet room ceiling and the condo floor. How can I minimize or isolate the low frequency sound transfer from the banquet room to the condo? Thank you

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Tom, On the areas where you have drywall you can install a 2nd layer of drywall with the Green Glue Damping Compound in between. On the areas that have acoustic tiles you would be best off replacing that with a drywall ceiling and using the GG as well. If that is not an option you can use our Ceiling Tile Barriers which we have received very positive feedback on. Also be sure to install standard fiberglass insulation in the entire ceiling. Thank You

12) Devora C: My toy hauler garage is noisy- I hear everything outside - even people talking. Adding a drywall layer with green glue seems good choice, but is it hypoallergenic (I cannot handle toxins); what drywall is lightweight b/c I cannot add any more weight to my trailer. My garage is 8X10.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Devora, The Green Glue has no toxins you can see the MSDS sheet here https://www.tmsoundproofing.com/products/GG_Tube/GGTube_MSDS.pdf

13) Devora C: Thanks for this reply. I want to apply carpet pad and the green glue onto existing walls in my toyhauler garage, but understand that the green glue does not function as an adhesive for the carpet pad. What's the best way to secure both on these RV walls?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Devora, The Green Glue should only be used if you can apply it between 2 rigid membranes with each being at least 1/2" thick. We do not have any advise on how to attache carpet to a wall. Thanks.

14) John L: I am converting an upstairs walk in closet to a music practice room. I don't care what the walls look like. To keep sound from going through them and disturbing others, am I better off covering the walls with 2" convoluted foam or adding a layer of drywall with green glue? The room is 6'x8'.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi John, The extra drywall and Green Glue will keep the sound from going through. The foam is meant for controlling the sound in the closet.

15) Douglas R: We are designing a sports bar. Overhead there is a steel deck and concrete slab and apartments above that. What is the most cost effective material to spray on the underside of the steel deck to reduce sound transmission. Since this will be the finished material, can we do something that is dark charcoal grey...or does the insulation then require a coat of spray paint...does this extra coat of paint create a problem with adherence of the original sprayed on insulation. I guess ideally a tight cell cellulose spray that is already dark charcoal grey in color as a one coat operation. Is there such a product on the market ? And of course estimated cost per sq/ft. Thank You

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Douglas, I don't know of any spayed insulation that can be left as the finished material other than spray foam. Open cell spray foam will be a lot better for sound absorption than closed cell, although neither of them would be something that we would recommend for sound control. The paint may inhibit the sound absorption you would have to check with the spray foam manufacturer. Thanks.

16) Don P: I live on a very noisy street - lots of traffic noise, and a lot of sound reflected back from taller residences across the street. I am considering putting your 2 lb product between fence slats on an 8' privacy fence 1) Do you recommend this product for this application, and why or why not? 2) This application would essentially involve stacking two 4' wide sheets (one on top, one on bottom) - Should the two sheets be joined in any fashion, and if so, how? 3) How long can I expect your product to last in this application (and is there a problem with it being exposed to the elements)? 4) What type of noise reduction can I expect? Thanks for your help - the noise is driving us nuts!

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Don, That is a product that is used by many of our customers on outdoor fences. Obviously due to the fence having an open air space above it sound can still go over the fence. You can just overlap the top sheet onto the bottom sheet by an inch. There is no problem using this MLV outdoors. The only issue may be with the material tearing at the points of the fasteners.

17) Conor G: Hi, we are trying to figure out the best solution for soundproofing our upstairs bedrooms from road noise. There is a lot of conflicting information on the web. We were thinking of spray foam insulation in existing walls then replacing the drywall with QuietRock drywall. Is this viable - your website seems to say insulation is not helpful? Any help most appreciated thank you in advance. Conor

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Conor, Insulation is an important part of soundproofing. We do not suggest SPRAY foam as fiberglass insulation is better for soundproofing in our experience. It is a very good idea to replace your drywall with a damped drywall . Even better if you create it yourself using 2 layers of half inch drywall with the high quality green glue damping compound in between.

18) Doug L: I am building a home theater in my unfinished basement and want to keep sound from going up to the leaving room and kitchen area above as well as hearing people walk upstairs or air traveling through duct work to the upstairs. I was going to use Roxul insulation with the RC1 resilient channel and 5/8" sheet rock. Would that be enough or should I use the hat channels resilient clips? I am not wanting to had another layer of sheet rock because of the weight and I think this would sufficient.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Doug, If clips and channels are an option we would highly recommend those over standard RC1 resilient channels. It is a worthwhile upgrade.

19) William C: We are finishing off a room in our basement. If I place Roxul soundproof and fire proof 3 inch thick material in between the beams of the ceiling, can the material be spray painted black, as the contractor wants to do instead of placing sheetrock or a drop ceiling? Or is there a better material to use? Thank You Very Much!!!

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: You would have to ask the Roxul company about the painting of their material. As far as soundproofing is concerned you definitely want to add drywall to the ceiling.

20) Hank: I am building a 200 sq. ft workshop with T1-11 paneling and galvalume roof. I have a band saw, miter saw and midi-lathe as my biggest noise makers. My goal is too make sure my neighbors do not have the noise going into their house. They are really great neighbors and want to keep it that way. Any suggestions you have are greatly appreciated. Hank

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Hank. For proper soundproofing you would need to build some sort of wall/ceiling frame that you can install insulation into. Then cover with 1/2" plywood or OSB. Put the Green Glue damping compound onto the back of your paneling (provided it is close to 1/2" thick as well) and screw pack to the plywood.

21) Chet O: Hi...I'm building an enclosure for my Onan 35EK generator. I live in a residential area and want this thing to be as quiet as possible. I've tackled the exhaust noise through improved muffling. It's a steel enclosure, so can your products be used and how would you mount them?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Chet. Please see our soundproofing curtain line which I believe should work very well for your application

22) Terri : We are using resilient channels on a ceiling insulated with open cell spray foam because it is under an outside deck. Q: is it ok for the spray foam to be in contact with the channels or should we clear it so no foam is touching the metal? Side Q: We are using Quietrock drywall on an west wall that gets lots of wind, rain, sun, traffic. Which insulation would give best STC: open cell spray foam or fiberglass? Thank you/T

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Terri, The foam touching the channel will not make much of a difference if it is an open cell foam, still better off just clearing it away. Fiberglass is a better option for sound control than spray foam.

23) Kyle: Can mass loaded vinyl be used on an attic floor? I've been having issues with sound transmission in a master bedroom. I first added a layer of 5/8" drywall and green glue to all the walls, but not the ceiling. Additionally, I put in 3/8" acrylic window inserts. This helped quite a bit, however, it now sounds like the sound is coming through the ceiling. Sticking my head into the attic, it is fairly loud. (Traffic and aircraft noise) I do not want to put a second layer of dry wall up on the ceiling, so I was thinking of laying MLV across the attic floor above the bedroom. Currently the attic has about 12" of cellulose insulation above the bedroom ceiling, and is naturally vented. This is in a northern climate, so I am worried about condensation and moisture issues if I do this.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: You can try that. Make sure the MLV is snug all around the ends with no place for sound to leak in at the edges. Speak to your insulation contracter regarding the moisture as this is some sort of a vapor barrier.

24) Mike S: I live in an Epcon condo where I share a wall with my neighbor. I don't hear voices, but every time my neighbor closes a kitchen cupboard door. I hear it. It is a common problem with other neighbors I have talked to. Is there a foam that could be sprayed in the walls or something You could recommend? Thanks, Mike

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: You are getting a direct vibration. The proper way to treat it would be to decouple your wall. That is probably a lot of work to do in an existing home for just that type of sound issue.

25) mike: I own a first floor condo was converted apts in florida,exterior is wood,I can hear footsteps from upstairs,the condo is 1000sq ft,what is the best way to sound proof at a reasonable cost,I am selling the unit.its the ceiling that is my biggest concern

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Mike. Please see this article on soundproofing existing ceilings.

26) Doug J: Hello. I have one chance to get this right and I am sparing no expense. I have not seen a lot of info on this, but I am planning on using quietrock 510 (its all they sell at my local Lowes) and a layer of green glue in between over the existing drywall. Overkill is not an issue. Is there any reason this is NOT recommended? Again, cost is not a factor. I would use 3 layers of drywall if I had enough space. Thanks

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Doug, Green Glue can and is used between regular and pre-damped drywall, no issues there. If you want to do it

27) Jenn: Hi ? Your site is super helpful. Thank you. I rent a room in a house built in the 1950s. It is made private by a closed solid wood door. I need a non permanent sound proofing solution, mainly for talking noise, low frequency sounds. Would green glue be permanent and/or destructive to the door surface? I thought about adhering an 8' x 4' cellulose board to the door. Can you please suggest a best solution? Also, should I leave airspace between the door and my sound proofing material, or adhere them flush? Thank you so much!

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Jenn. Green Glue will be permanent and cannot be removed. Try our soundproof door panel which uses Velcro around the perimeter.

28) Jennifer: Hi and thank you for getting back to me. Your product looks terrific. Unfortunately, it is a lot more than I can spend. The door does not need to open. Do you sell the material by the yard? I could remove the door handle, plug its hole, and adhere the material to an area the circumscribes the door. Just a thought! Thanks, jenn

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: The smallest would be a 54" by 96" long which is about one hundred dollars less and you would have a very hard time cutting it to fit the door etc.

29) helen: hi, i have a 400 sqft apartment, and I have problems with the footstep, dropping objects, etc. impact noise from upstairs. I dont want to decouple the ceiling. currently, the ceiling drywall ceiling. Do you think spray foam the cellulose will work or help a little bit? or if you have other way you recommend? thanks

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: If there is no insulation there than Cellulose will help a bit, not a a lot.

30) Whitney: Great site. Do you have any advice on finding someone to hire to do the soundproofing? I'm not sure what kind of business is best to go to with my project - drywall, remodeling, general contractors, etc. I'd like to use sound clips and green glue, but I'm not sure who's familiar with those products, and I am wary of spending money on someone who doesn't know exactly what they are doing. I keep reading horror stories of people hiring contractors who end up doing things incorrectly and the person spent all their money and still has a noise issue.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: That is a legitimate concern. Usually you would want a highly competent drywall contractor who has experience with these materials. We are also happy to guide you/them along. You can also email us your zip code and we can check our database of soundproofing contractors to see if there is anyone in your area.

31) cecile: I am building a 2 family home and contractor gives me the following choices: what is the best option for soundproofing between basement ceiling and first floor- separate apartments? 1. Thermafiber 3''with R-19 2. R-30 3. green glue + 2 layers 5/8 with channel and includes extra 1/4 inch sheetrock 4. Sheetrock/Sound Basement Soundboard and 2 layers 5/8 with channel

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: R-30, Resilient Sound Clips, Hat Channel, 2 layers of sheetrock with Green Glue.

32) John: Thanks for all the good information on your site. I am planning to finish our basement and wanted to soundproof the basement ceiling as much as possible while preserving headroom. Currently, we have wood floors on the first floor and the basement ceiling is exposed floorboards over 2x10 floor joists.I wanted to know if I would achieve a good result by placing one or two layers 3/4 inch drywall between the joists using green glue. This would leave my joists exposed and give me room to add lighting in the ceiling without limiting head clearance. If I did this, would I screw the drywall in or only use green glue because screws would transmit sound? I also have forced air heat and wanted to know your recommendations for limiting sound transfer through my ducts?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Your welcome. Green Glue cannot be used as an adhesive and you would have to screw it in

33) Tom P: I am building an enclosure around a noisy outdoor heat pump using plywood with 1 lb. MLV attached to the interior walls. What is the best method of attaching the MLV to plywood? Will liquid nails stick to the MLV or should I use screws?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Use screws or roofing nails.

34) Bob: I have a work shop with a ribbed metal ceiling installed that produces a lot of echo or ringing. It has 20" of blown in fiberglass insulation on top of it. Is there anything I can do on the bottom side to dampen the echo or ringing like spray foam or undercoating?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Bob. You can apply the Vibration damping foil tape directly to the metal.

35) james: I am building a new shop (framing is completed) that is split into two sections: one for the shop, and another as an office or guest room. I want to isolate the shop noise from the other space. The primary noise will come from metal working (specifically hammering sheet metal). I'm thinking of just treating the wall between the two spaces (likely two layers of drywall and green glue). Will this be sufficient, or do I need to treat the exterior walls as well?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Treating the interior wall should be sufficient (although you may want to give it a better treatment as in decoupling the wall too) provided that the wall goes completely from floor to roof with no air gap above the wall.

36) Dave D: We own a mixed use building where we just rented a downstairs space to a wine bar that has live entertainment on the weekends. The noise levels and floor vibrations in the apartments above it is totally unacceptable. The wine bar has 14 foot tin ceilings installed in 1867. I am seeking an answer. An acoustical company I spoke to is suggesting a drop ceiling with .85 NRC tiles and my architect is suggesting blowing foam insulation into the 14" gap between the tin ceiling and the wood floors above it. I need to know the best approach to take.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Dave. You will need more than that to help with live entertainment. Foam insulation is not a good idea as discussed many times on this site. For proper sound control you are best suspending a new drywall ceiling below the existing tin ceiling, utilizing, Damping (Green Glue), Decoupling (clips), and absorption (insulation). If you would like a consultation please call our office to schedule.

37) Mike: I have a ceiling with 2x12 joists. I'm going to do hat channels, etc for the drywall, but I have a lot of space in that joist space to do something with. What do you think about having 4" of fiberglass right up against the plywood of the floor above, and then a second layer of 4" fiberglass at the bottom. To have a bit of an air gap. Or is it just the same as doing one 8", which would be easier. And I know that you don't like spray foam, but in this case if I am willing, and money isn't an object, how about 2" or so of open cell foam onto the plywood to help seal any holes up, and then air gap, and then fiberglass. Thanks, Mike

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

The 8 inch will work just as well. Better to seal the holes and gaps with an acoustical caulk. We stay away from the spray foam as it "pulls" together the joist and floor which allows for easier transfer of sound.

38) heath s: we are in the middle of a small commercial project where we would like to soundproof the walls as much as is reasonable. We have 3-1/2" metal studs and intend on using quiet rock. What would have the most impact on sound transmission through the walls, the use of mass loaded vinyl attached to the metal studs before the insulation is installed or the installation of fiberglass or mineral wool insulation in the wall cavities. We have eliminated the use of the quiet clips because the floor space that we would lose as a result of their projection into the room was not taken into consideration when the architectural plan was being made and we already have the walls in place.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: You need to start with insulation in the walls. That is a must however it is not enough. A layer of Mass Loaded Vinyl over that on the studs is a good idea.

39) Andy: I am doing a full-gut renovation of an attached frame-house with two units and want to have excellent sound insulation (airborne and foot-fall) on the floor/ceiling between one unit and the other. My plan was Roxsul insulation in the cavity, sound clips+hat channel for the ceiling, and soundboard+Bostik glue below the hardwood floor. With that system, what is the benefit of adding green glue+extra drywall to ceiling?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Somewhere between 4-8 STC points. Great plan by the way. You can also add Green Glue between the soundboard and subfloor.

40) Jay W: I am wanting to modify some internal walls in the basement of an old house to mitigate sound transmission. Existing walls are 2x4 wood studs 16" on center but are currently open on one side. I am considering building an adjacent wall with 2x4 studs 24" center with a 0.5 - 1" space between the walls (double stud wall) to isolate sound transmission through the studs. I was going to use Roxul Safe and Sound rock wool insulation in the walls. Both sides will get 1/2' plywood (so I can attach screws anywhere on the wall) and 2 layers of 5/8 gypsum board. I haven't decided if I'm going to use a layer of Green Glue between the Plywood and first sheet of gypsum, between the two sheets of gypsum board, or both. I will use your soundproofing rubber and acoustical calk to seal spaces as necessary. While researching cellulose for thermal insulation in my attic, I found numerous references to it's use for sound insulation, but most of the positive ones were by manufacturers of the insulation. Do you have any references from third parties who have tested cellulose insulation for STC values in wall assemblies? I am particularly interested in STC values for cellulose in a dual stud wall like I have described above. Would I defeat the purpose of the decoupling space between the studs if I dense packed cellulose in the wall cavity? I've enjoyed what I have read on your site. You confirmed my suspicion that adding STC values of individual wall assembly components can be misleading.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Jay. Our research on insulation has led us to the conclusion that fiberglass, cellulose and mineral wall are all adequate for the purpose of sound absorption adding 3-4 STC points. Dense packing will not mitigate the decoupling you created however it may make the absorption slightly worse as the air pockets in the insulation help absorb the sound energy.

41) Keren M: I have a 420 sq studio... 1972 bulit. I can hear Footsteps and if someone drops something. what do you think is the best way to insulate my ceiling? Thank you

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Keren. Please see this article https://www.tmsoundproofing.com/How-to-Soundproof.html#floors

42) wanda: I live in a neighborhood where the homes are built close to each other, separated by small driveways. My neighbors are extremely loud and like to hangout of doors with loud music and talking in the warmer months. I can hear them in the winter months inside of their home with or without windows being closed. What is the best and the cheapest way to soundproof my windows,

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Wanda. Please see our soundproof window panel. While not that cheap it has proven to be very effective.

43) Doug J: Hello. Is there a possibility I am too close to my neighbors house. I want to do more soundproofing but I am afraid it will be a waste of money. I would say the houses are about 50ft apart or so. I want to be able to play at all hours so it must be QUIET. I am afraid the bass transfer is going to be too much and not be able to attenuate to a level that the people next door can handle. My drums are LOUD, louder than your average drumkit. At what point do you think it's a lost cause, or do you claim that soundproofing can be achieved in any situation?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: With proper soundproofing you wouldn't be able to hear even in the room next door to you. Properly decoupling and damping all your walls/floor/ceiling while making sure there are no sound leaks via ducts and lighting, can accomplish this.

44) kevin folsom: I just framed and roughed a new 2500 foot single story house. I want to sound proof as much as I can reasonably afford. How should I do this between bedroom walls, hallways and TV along with front house wall facing street. My last question is you mentioned HVAC vents etc how do I do this? I was using 5/8 sheetrock and fiberglass only, but I can change that to whatever you suggest...Thanks

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Kevin. Please read our How to Soundproof Article. If you would like you can also schedule a soundproofing consult by calling our office.

45) Al: We are looking to soundproof large gaps/cracks in masonry walls. This is a semidetached house with 8-inch block wall separating from the neighbors and brick+block external walls. The gaps are up to 1 inch wide (most are 1/2-inch) in two types of places: 1) on the shared masonry wall corners with the external wall and 2) between joists that sit on this wall and masonry blocks placed between the joists (flat roof sits on top of the joists). The house moves, so if we just patch them with cement the cracks in the corners may reappear. I previously successfully used Noiseproofing Sealant Calking (by Green Glue company) for smaller gaps (less than 3/8 of an inch). Is there a solution you recommend for noiseproofing such larger masonry gracks/gaps? Would you recommend patching with cement first and then calking the very corner, or is there a calking product for larger gaps as these ones? Would open-cell or closed-cell foam be a good option here?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Stuff with a high quality neoprene rubber like this one https://www.tmsoundproofing.com/soundproofing-rubber.html  and then use the acoustical caulk.

46) Lois: Hello, we purchased a new wood constructed condo and share kitchen walls with our neighbours. We hear the cupboards or drawers closing at times. Now we dont want to go thru the mess and expense of taking the kitchen apart to add another layer of drywall with green glue. So we were thinking if we trying a layer of MLV to the inside of the cupboard walls or another layer of cupboard material with green glue inside the cupboards. Would this work?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: The MLV may work slightly. To achieve proper sound control results you would need to treat the entire wall not just the cupboard area.

47) Dawn V: We bought retirement home on a hill in a rural area. We cannot fully see a 2 lane Farm to Market road but turns out we can hear it. We see tops of trees and have great view. There are hills around us too. We have an open deck that has about a 3-4 foot overhang but is not fully covered. Our deck sits up about 8 feet in the air looking out over the hill and trees. Is there anything we can do to absorb the road noise on our deck? Wondered about sound proofing the area under the deck and closing it off? Furniture and rugs on deck? Maybe sound proofing products under the over hang on the walls to absorb some road noise? Very sad we love the house but not sure what to do. Lots of trees but we will be planting more evergreen shrubs and trees to fill out the under tree areas. On 2 acres so cannot fully fence it but would a partial fence help?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Open areas are obviously not "sound proofable". You can try our exterior sound absorbing curtains to absorb some of the news.

48) Kirt: I am about to start construction on a single story home with a concrete slab foundation. Framing will be 2x6 wood studs on 16" centers. I am looking for guidance to sound proof the 19' x 14' theater room. I would appreciate your advise. Thank you.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Kirt. Please read our article on how to soundproof new construction. If you would like a private phone consultation please call our office at 845-388-1200 to schedule.

49) K. Anderson: Hello, I'm enjoying learning from you about soundproofing. I live in a side by side wood framed 2 unit building. We have added double-rock w/ green glue, isolation clips and insulation between walls but still have noise problems. I can hear snoring, talking, etc. The ceiling is open above the walls and might be the problem. I read your comments about ceilings but can't visualize the solution. We have plaster ceilings w/ crown molding so I prefer to treat the ceilings from the attic. Do you recommend cotton or mineral wool batts? Anything else? Thank you.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Thank you. Yes the open ceiling is the problem. There probably is insulation in the ceiling already. If not than fiberglass insulation is fine. The proper way to do it would be to treat your ceiling as you did your wall. The other option if possible is to build a wall in the open air space that continues the separation wall all the way up to the roof rafter. The wall should be tightly sealed at all sides and treated as the wall below. This is usually difficult to achieve.

50) Mariah: Q: I'm laying out a plan to build a box that won't be much bigger than a closet and use that as my office for now. What would you recommend in order to dampen as much noise as possible? From what I've read the best option seems to be covering the walls with 2 layers 1/2 drywall with green glue in between them, and sealing any cracks(could green glue also be used for that or would you recommend something else). Rockwool between all of the walls. Using whisper clips to decouple the ceiling and the walls. Plus 2 subfloors with green glue sandwiched between them, before beginning to frame the walls. I'll also have to make the door with Rockwool inside of it as well. Would this still be the best article to reference: https://www.tmsoundproofing.com/How-to-Soundproof.html or are there updated best practices. I used to use a room in my home, but my neighbors play very loud, bass-heavy music sometimes, and it would always come through the window along with street noise. The room was also sharing a wall with the kitchen so slamming cabinets, draws, and pans could be heard through the walls.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

That's a great room. Acoustical caulk should be used to seal the cracks and the door should be soundproofed properly.

51) ray m: ia have an existing roof deck that is being replaced due to termites and dry rot. The existing construction was 1. 2x10 roof ceiling joist 2. full batt insulation 3. 3/4 " osb sheating 4, roofing paper 5. 1-1/2 to 2" lightweight concrete 6. red guard waterproofing membrane 7. 12x12 slate tiles for a walking surface. Thjis system has stood the test of time, 18 years, but the red guard lost its elasticity and with building movement developed roof leaks and is being replaced. The Osb has dry rot and tons of termites and is being replaced with new joists and 3/4" plywood. and then a waterproofing surface. With the elimination of the lightweight concrete, and roof slate tile. I am concerned that the new roof deck with the elimination of the lightweight concrete and slate roof deck tile, will become a drum and a noise problem Do you have any recommendations? should I eliminate the light weight concrete and tile or is there something else I could do, Thanks

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: I don't think the light weight concrete and tile dis much more than the new shingles. You can replace any lost mass by doing 2 layers of plywood.

52) Chady M: Hello, I’m soundproofing a ceiling from the floor above which is mainly footfall and impact noise. I’ve already cut strips of 5/8 drywall and put in between each joist cavity with green glue, and sealed all gaps and edges with acoustic sealant and silicon. I will also use another 2 layers of 5/8 drywall for the ceiling with green glue, and place insulation between joists. My question is which method is best to decouple the 2 layers of drywall? Should I use the method of clips and hat channel connected to the joists, or is it better to attach new 2x4 or 2x6 beams to opposite walls and run new ceiling joists either 2x4 or 2x6? This would lose ceiling height which I’m fine with, but seems it would completely decouple ceiling from joists. Or are clips and channel still best to decouple? Thanks for the help.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: If you are running new ceiling joists that are not attached in any way to the original ceiling joists, that would be best. If not the clips and channel due a very good job of decoupling, saving you space and labor.

53) Eric: We recently purchased a historic home that was built in 1897. It has a basement apartment that was used only for storage by the previous owners and we are restoring it as a living unit for tenants. The ceiling in the basement was ripped out during renovations of the main house which gives us an opportunity to re-install it with better soundproofing considerations. However, the current joists place the ceiling height at 7’3”. I understand the ideal solution is to install channel and double drywall using green glue, but I’m concerned this will impede headroom too significantly with such low ceilings. With 9 x 12 ceiling joists I do have abundant room within the ceiling its self to consider unique soundproofing materials and solutions beyond standard insulation. Any recommendations for my basement situation?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Use double drywall and Green Glue in between. Use surface mounted LED lights in place of recessed can lights and cover the junction boxes with putty pads.

54) Jason: I live in a 6 unit condo building in DC with 3 lower units and 3 upper, I’m in a lower unit. Side to side unit noise is virtually non existent and outside noise is minimal. However I can hear every step and conversation from my upstairs neighbor. I’ve read your ceiling article and most of your tips and plan on green glue with one layer of 5/8 Sheetrock. I have a couple questions, there is standard pink fiber glass insulation in the ceiling, should I put anything else in before the adding the Sheetrock and green glue? There are can lights throughout the ceiling, is there something that should be done to them? Lastly, we have ceiling speakers we have never hooked up out of courtesy for the upstairs neighbor. Do you have a recommendation that would allow us to use them without driving the neighbor crazy.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Jason. Actually for footsteps we recommend decoupling the ceiling using resilient sound clips. You can replace the fiberglass with Roxul Mineral Wool. You can use these surface mounted LED lights in place of the can lights. You can build a box for the speakers and line it with Mass Loaded Vinyl.

55) rian: Hi - Many thanks for the great website. Its a veritable treasure drove of useful information. My noise issue is that a gym opened close to my house recently, and unfortunately, the owner loves to play low, heavy bass and dance music during his classes. The volume is extremely loud, and i can feel the house vibrating in response to the music. My solution is to thermally insulate (using mineral glass with a hardened vaneer) the house externally, and decouple the internal walls. The walls of my house currently comprise a skim of plaster six inch solid brick walls, a stud wall, and some plaster board. I hope by adding mass to the wall this will reduce the resonance frequency of the walls. However, my worry is that i will inadvertently create a three leaf effect. Is this fear reasonable, and have you encountered anyone else who has this issue? Thanks Rian

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Thank you Rian. So are you adding Mass or are you decoupling the walls? Decoupling the interior walls would be the way to go.

56) Dan S: I am an Architect . Do you do consulting as to the best way to address a sound proofing issue in offices in a church facilities that will assure a good solution for the project. Dan

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Yes we do. Please give us a call at 845-388-1200 to schedule.

57) Annabel: Hi, I️ am a student renting a flat. My bedroom is through the wall from the neighbour’s living room. Part of the wall (around 1.2m in width) is recessed, and so is thinner that the rest of the wall. As a result, sound from the neighbours leaks through at the section. I️ can’t do any major alterations due to the fact that I️ am renting. I️ was wondering what you would advise to reduce noise coming through to my bedroom. Also, is it possible to hang MLV directly onto a wall without then covering it with anything? Thanks, Annabel

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Yes. MLV can be hung directly on the wall.

58) Laurie: We had metal roof shingles installed on our house instead of asphalt shingles, now every time it sprinkles or rains we hear every drop!!!!! It is very hard to sleep at night when it rains, I am woke up every time. Any Ideas what we need to do. Please Help Me Thanks

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Sorry to hear that. You would need to remove your existing drywall ceiling, decouple and replace with at least 2 layers of drywall and a damping compound like Green Glue in between.

59) Joja: Can we stop or greatly deaden rain noise on flat roof with rubber mate tiles 30mm thick? Thanks

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: We do not know that as we have not tested it. Please let us know if you do use it how the results are.

60) Joseph Di: I bought a condo and they plan to "replace" the elevator motors..however, I am getting a lot of noise (vibration) from these (worn out) elevator motors. the motors are located "diagonal" to my unit (eg. one floor below and one unit over) so the vibration noise is climbing the walls and "carrying" on the floor into my unit. Can I use mass loaded vinyl to solve this problem? Should I wait until they replace the motors?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: If they are willing you can use MLV on the walls of the elevator room. Depending on the layout you may get some relief of the noise.

61) Sam: I live on the first floor in a three story condo, and the unit above me has new tenants. They are much more heavy footed than the previous owners. Our living, dining and kitchen is bascially one big room with one wall separating the kitchen from the rest. They have hardwood floors in the living and dining area and I can hear almost everything they do. We’re only separated by a 2x10 joist and no insulation. I’ve been trying to figure out what the best course of action is to reduce the noise coming from their unit. Since I’ll only be doing the living and dining area, I was wondering if only adding insulation and another layer of drywall with green glue inbetween would be livable and save on the cost of completely tearing down my ceiling to install sound clips. I’m not going for complete silence, but its hard to gauge what the STC and IIC ratings mean when I have no reference. There isn’t any insulation in the walls either so I know sound will probably end up traveling through that way.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: As you note. It is very difficult to gauge the end result. If I had to guess 20-30 percent.

62) Sam: Thank you for the response, A few follow up questions, if without sound clips gives about 20-30 percent, how much would sound clips add? Also does rockwool provide a significant upgrade to fiberglass insulation for absorption? Is blown in cellulose insulation good for soundproofing?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Clips and channels will be above 50 percent. On the lab testing fiberglass and mineral wool score just about the same. Yes cellulose is good for soundproofing.

63) Derek: Hi and thanks for all the information. I am separating a master suite from a living room and need it to be quiet. This is a new build. I plan to add door seals and your automatic unit beneath the door. The wall will have rock-wool insulation. I have purchased putty for the outlet and switch boxes on the wall, acoustic caulk, and mass loaded vinyl. I have a couple questions. Is MLV most effective on the side of the wall where the sound is generated, or on the side that needs to be quiet (after sound will have been absorbed by insulation)? Follow up question is how close can the MLV be installed in proximity to a gas fireplace box which would be in a chase coming off the same wall on the living room side. Final question: is MLV a good solution? As your site mentions, 1# MLV may be STC 26 on its own, but wondering if it will add noticeable difference to this wall. Thank you!

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Thank you. Always better to install on the noise source side. I would need an order number to see the type of Mass Loaded Vinyl you purchased in order to advise on the ratings.

64) Jeffrey: Hi,  I installed resilient clips + 2 layers of drywall + green glue + fiberglass batt insulation in my bedroom ceiling which is below our upstairs neighbor's kitchen with hardwood floors (no underlayment). We still hear very loud thumping whenever our neighbor walks around.  As far as I can tell the installation was to spec. However there is a 2 foot wide extrusion in the ceiling that runs across one side of the ceiling to accommodate ducting. It is framed with steel framing that our contractors could not attach sound clips to, so we just screwed 2 layers of drywall + green glue directly on it. Contractors also used DAP Dynaflex 230 caulking instead of acoustic caulking. We added an extra layer of drywall + green glue to one of the walls, but otherwise did not modify the other 3 walls. They also had to accommodate a fire sprinkler that was too short with a make-shift recessed covering made out of a paper bowl, about 6 inch diameter. What in your opinion would be the biggest factor contributing to the continued noise? What would be your recommendation for correction or further mitigation? Link to picture:  Thank you very much!

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Jeffrey. Impact sound is very difficult to eliminate as it actually vibrates the entire structure. Usually a ceiling like that can mitigate the impact by around 50%. The soffit at the end of the ceiling can transfer a lot of sound down the wall that it is resting against. If I had to do one thing it would be to add a 2nd layer of drywall with Green Glue to that wall.

65) Jeffrey: Thank you for the response! Your suggestion is exactly what we did. I recently moved the bed such that our heads are no longer close to the wall in question, which seems to help a bit. Do you think adding sound clips to the soffit would help? How would one secure sound clips into steel framing? When contractors tried with steel screws it was not very stable. Thanks! Jeffrey

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: No it is not necessary the soffit is already decoupled.

66) Sloan : I live on the corner of a busy neighborhood intersection that a lot of small trucks drive through/accelerating through the stop sign. My house is about 35 ft from the intersection and I have 5 and 6 foot high shadow boxed fencing along two sides of the intersection. I am thinking of adding MLV either 1lb or 2lb along the two sides of fencing to make sitting in my yard more enjoyable. Would the reduction in noise in my yard warrant adding the MLV? I am worried the sound will just go over the fencing and I won’t get any Db reduction. Thank you.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Less than 8 foot tall fence may not be worth it. Hard to know as it is an open environment, until you try it.

67) Randy: Hello, I have a room that we use for music. Ground floor of a two story house. We’d like to have an acoustic drum set in there and practice with a band, but not disturb the neighbors. Is it enough to just treat the wall facing the neighboring house? I’m thinking about adding 1lb MLV to the existing drywall and adding a second layer of drywall. We’re not worried about noise in our own house, yet. Thanks.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: It may be. You can try that first and add to the additional walls if necessary. Keep in mind the sound can travel thru the windows and ceiling too.