Walls and Ceilings - Sound proofing bedroom walls

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JimInFLA
03-19-04, 08:11 AM
When building a house, would it be best to use block for the interior walls for the bedrooms to help keep sound out?

What about using double walls?
Basically have two walls about an inch or two apart to help absorb the sound?

Any other ideas?

A_unique_name
03-19-04, 08:28 AM
that helps deaden sounds maybe you can look into that.
Bruce H
03-19-04, 11:13 AM
Probably the most economical wall with a high sound rating would be a staggered stud wall. Basically, you use 2x6 plates and put 2x4 studs @8" o.c. staggered from one side of the 2x6 to the other (gives 16" o.c. from each side). If you really want a good wall, put 2 layers of 5/8" sheetrock on each side and put sound insulation in the cavity; that gives you 58 STC (51 STC without the insulation). The other option is just 1 layer of 5/8" on each side with sound insulation; that gives you 45 STC (as compared to 34 STC for a standard 2x4 stud wall).

All of that compares to an STC of 50 for an 8" block wall. My National Gypsum catalog doesn't have the spaced 2 wall option; used to, but not any more. Adding sound insulation to a standard 2x4 stud wall adds about 5 to STC.

Some things to pay attention to when building a high STC wall to get the tested results: caulk the perimeter (where it meets floor or is not taped); offset electrical boxes at least 16", caulk perimeter of boxes and wire coming into boxes. Basically, anything that can leak air can also leak sound.

Hope this helps.

Bruce