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My neighbours and I have just extended our properties as a joint project. The party wall is a cavity wall with (obviously) plaster on our respective inside edges and some fibrous insulation between them. We believe Thermolyte (sp?) blocks were used for the party wall*.
The sound insulation between the properties isn't very good - normal voices (just mine and the husband next door) can be heard, as well as TV/music - obviously we're disappointed.
There looks to be a couple of options on installing some extra sound insulation. A DIY Reductoclip type system (metal rails bolted to existing wall, with a couple layers sound-proofed plasterboard and some dense rubber matting), or a fully installed version (got a guy talking us through it tomorrow.
The Reductoclip stuff sounds fairly viable - easy to purchase, good reviews, and would just need a tradesman 2 days to fit and replaster. All in, we're looking at roughly 1200 quid I reckon.
The company I'm talking to tomorrow reckon the gap between the current plasterboard and the party wall is contributing to the noise - they want to completely remove the current plasterboard, and start from a bare wall again. Quoting a rough £3k figure (TBC). This, to me, sound like a pain in the ass, as it'll mean much more work, probably re-plaster of the ceiling and much more redecorating - i only finished it yesterday....
TL:DR - is the cheaper, easier, quicker solution likely to be noticeably worse than the one that'll cost a ton more, but from what I can tell from the claims, might not be that much better?!
*I'm sure, this being STW, some smart-arse will come along to tell us that thermolyte was the wrong stuff to use, but frankly, I'm not a builder, it's been done, so there's nothing that can be done now.
No advice, but I'd be interested in what you decide on and your review of it. i've had all new plastering, skirting, carpets etc courtesy of insurance and now wish I'd paid for some extra soundproofing before that work was done. Like you, I'd now rather add a layer with minimal mess rather than removing what's been done. Neighbours aren't particularly noisy but I can hear them.
Right. Before you go wild spending the dollah.
Sound travels through gaps remarkably well if water can get through sound will too. Inspect the wall completely. Every socket off ever light switch off any crack any hole for a cable it all needs filled on both sides.
Thus includes under the floor and in the roof space too. It could be you're hearing it through the ceilings. Atleast with a wall you don't get impact noise. I live under a toddler in a 1930s flat. I shot myself about once a day when she drops something.
You asked for 'experts' but you posted on STW, so... 🙂
As Josh says, check everything. Presumably it's build on a concrete slab so should not be voids under the floor, but check the roof, either flat or pitched, is there a void/air gap through to next door?
Are there old air bricks into the original house cavity wall that are now allowing sound between the new rooms.
I used to live in a terrace with solid 9 inch walls and plaster, you could hear raised voices but not normal talking, so with lightweight block and cavity I wouldn't have thought you should hear that much.
Oh experts... Ignore me 😁.
Air bricks is a good one, that would take some headscratching!
Thanks both. I'll try cover it all off..!
Concrete slab - yep, it's on one of those.
My original exterior wall remained in place, but my neighbours' had theirs removed and had a steel put in place. I'm not sure whether either original relevant cavity was compromised. When I'm in my original part of the house, I can't hear anything, but as soon as I walk through to the new area, I can.
The two parts of the cavity wall were built before any electrics etc were put in, and neither of the thermolyte blocks were drilled through, or anything, from what I can tell.
it's a pitched roof, the blocks were built up and cut to follow the pitch, though as you said, there's a chance that the ceiling void could be partly responsible? I'm not sure how 'solveable' that would be, though?
Is there a way to test where the noise is coming from?
I work for a sound insulation company. You can get some free and impartial advice from our technical department. Ring Sound Reduction Systems on 01204 380074 and ask for Technical.
I would defo check above the ceiling, if there is no fire stopping in place then the fire compartmentation is compromised and presents a significant hazard.
Before installing sound deadening I would wait for them to do it and see how it goes, if its tolerable you will save a load of cash
Joshvegas is on the money - the sound could be travelling 'over the wall' via the ceiling space.
Remember - sound is 'airbourne vibration' - it can be transmitted through any leakpoint.
Thanks Mr Sparkle - I will give you guys a call in the coming days.
Seems like there's a ton of advice and opinions out there (just spoken to a local firm who've given me the sales pitch...).
Cheers!
Any update on this, what were you advised?
I was wondering this too!
sorry all!
no update yet, quite...
Spoke to another company - they said they'd just bung a load of stuff on the existing wall, losing me around 10cm of room space. They said that the gap between wall and plaster board isn't a problem (thus contradicting company number 1...).
Anyway - my neighbours and I contacted the builder - he's pretty flummoxed, and upset by it - he's not sure why there's such a noise issue. He thinks the bifold door installers may have left some sort of hole spanning the gap between the two extensions. He's coming on monday to investigate with a can of expanding foam, to see if that's the issue.
If not, back to square 1 with three different opinions on how best to do it!
MrSparkle - I may well buzz you guys once the builder has been and done his thing 🙂
Voices from the grave - I had a girlfriend once who believed her house was haunted because at night she could sometimes hear voices from 'somewhere' in the room. She had the head of the bed against an old bricked up chimney but there was an air brick. The chimney was obviously used by other rooms where the sound could go it. I persuaded her it wasn't ghosts when I recognizes John Peels radio show and tuned in to the same. Suddenly the mystery was solved.