Tips for Soundproofing Your Wall
Start by setting your expectation levels accordingly. Nothing will produce a 100% drop in sound transmission through a common wall. If our treatment can deliver a 90% drop, you should be more than satisfied. The most difficult sounds to isolate and contain are impact sounds (a drum beat) and low bass tones (subwoofers, jet engines, bass guitars). These sound sources contain long, flat soundwaves that travel over less time and distance than mid to high pitched sounds.
dB-Bloc can be mechanically fastened to your surface, new or existing, with a staple gun or sheetrock screws. The material is too limp and heavy to use adhesives. Overlap the material 1-2" and place a bead of acoustic caulk along the joints where your wall meets the ceiling, floor or adjacent walls.
Firring strips can be simple slats of wood, say 1x4s from your local building supply center, or more mechanical metal channel systems. The ISO Clips work well to deliver the disconnection you need also. If your wall is concrete, apply the firring strip first, then the dB-Bloc and the sheetrock. This will lift the density of dB-Bloc away from the density of your concrete wall, and create an air gap where the soundwave can collapse. If your wall is wood or metal frame, apply dB-Bloc first, then the firring strip and the drywall.
What about pre-engineered drywall?
While our test results are triggered using a single layer of dB-Bloc. many clients opt to double up on the treatment. If you do, be sure to separate the two layers of dB-Bloc, don't place the layers together. You can fasten the material to both sides of the wall, or on both sides of the firring strip layer. This will NOT double your result, but can trigger another 3-5 dB drop, and might be worth the added expense depending on your budget and your goals.
We also recommend that for those clients who want to double up on the drywall, vary the thickness. If you repeat the same thickness of drywall, you attack the same frequency pitch of noise twice. But if you vary the thickness of your drywall, you will attack two different frequency pitches of sound because you are working with two products of different densities. Again, our test results are for a single layer of dB-Bloc and a single layer of drywall. These added steps are not necessary, but can help further lower your sound bleed.
Allow 7-10 days to deliver dB-Bloc. The material is very dense, each 54" x 30' roll weighs 150 pounds. If you have more questions after reading the tips for soundproofing your wall, call our help desk at 1-800-638-9355.
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