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Discussion Forum

Soundproofing a duplex

| Posted in General Discussion on May 5, 1999 09:41am

*
I just bought a old duplex and to celebrate I tore it apart to re and re, now I find the party wall between the suites is only 2×4 construction with 2″ of insulation and 2″ of old bottles for sound proofing.(I have enough room for another 2×4 wall if need be)Anybody have any proven ideas?

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  1. Guest_ | May 02, 1999 08:33pm | #1

    *
    One system I've used is paralell wall, with 1/2" or so between the two, studs staggered, whole thing filled with blown in cellulose. There are probably better ways, but this was pretty simple and worked OK. - yb

    ps - Bakdo, aren't those old duplexes a great way to build equity? Yeh, the stock market is hot right now, but wait till inflation rolls back around. You can take some nice "losses" on them too. - yb

  2. bakdo_ | May 02, 1999 09:16pm | #2

    *
    Thanks for the advice YB, I was thinking of the paralell wall route using the old 2" paper covered bats (doubled up)that I removed from the walls and ceiling (not up to snuff in this climate!)I heard a airspace between walls is good. If so anyone know the optimum spacing? What to hold the insulation back with? Would I be better of to build the second wall out of metal studs for less sound transmission.

  3. Guest_ | May 02, 1999 09:45pm | #3

    *
    "2" of old bottles"?? What is that? I envision neatly stacked empty beer bottles! On this site, easy to imagine!

    In my never ending ignorance,

    Rich Beckman

    1. Guest_ | May 02, 1999 09:52pm | #4

      *U.S.Gypsum has done a great deal of testing & research on this subject. Check their web site USG.com , or check with your local USG supplier or call them in Chicago. Information should have their phone #. We have several booklets from them on sound control only. Way to much info. to send here.Ron

  4. jcallahan | May 02, 1999 10:01pm | #5

    *
    Bakdo, try U.S. Gypsum, the sheetrock folks. In some of their technical literature, they had construction details for soundproofing walls.
    http://www.usg.com

    1. bakdo_ | May 03, 1999 01:04am | #6

      *Neatly stacked old pop bottles cica 1940-50 any buyers out there I estimate at least 2000 of them !

  5. Guest_ | May 03, 1999 02:42am | #7

    *
    Amazing! I would definitely do some research on values before I started selling!

    Rich Beckman

  6. Tom_Laing | May 03, 1999 04:11am | #8

    *
    Bakdo,

    You 'oughta check out E-Bay on the Net for those bottles. I've never been there myself, but have heard of odd things selling for outrageous amounts....the kind of things most of us would just pitch.

    On the soundproofing, there's more to it than just doubling the wall and insulating. There's the option of adding mass (extra layers of drywall) and using RC-1 metal channel to hang the drywall on. Definitely, check out the Gypsum site. They have various, tested combinations of walls and floor construction, and their respective Sound Transmission Coefficients. It's also available elsewhere. I got mine from a booklet called "Wood Frame Design" from Western Wood Products Association (Yeon Building, 522 SW 5th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97204-2122. Phone:503-0224-3930.

    Tom Laing

  7. Guest_ | May 05, 1999 05:08am | #9

    *
    Try this link:

    http://www.askthebuilder.com/cgi-bin/bulletin?071:00066

  8. Dormer_Woodridge | May 05, 1999 07:59am | #10

    *
    Bakdo,

    I worked on a digital sound studio for a R & R musician about 10 years ago and these are some of the things we did to isolate sound from the outside as well as between rooms. The studio sound attenuation was engineered by a sound engineer. Two and some times three layers of drywall on the walls. Each layer had its seams staggered so none of the vertical or horizontal seams lined up. All layers of rock were fire taped except the last one which was taped and textured. One of the layers of GWB was held short of ceiling, Floor and adjacent walls by 1/4". that 1/4" was than caulked with "acousital" Sealant. I Believe that Acoustical sealant is avaliable thru some of the larger suppliers. My understanding was that the mass of the 5/8" GWB did not transmit sound so good. GWB taped with joints staggered to insure no holes between rooms and the acoustical sealant remains plyable forever to also help seal holes. It is important to insure there are no holes or cracks between rooms. We also used rock wool insulation for its sound deadening qualities. I asked the engineer about using sound board ( kind of like celotex) and he said that what works is mass. I.E. 5/8" sheet rock. Building 2 walls is a good idea but see if you can also seperate the floors and any other place the 2 sides may come in contact. Vibrations can travel thru continuous sheathing etc. Try to eliminate all penetrations in the party wall. Outlets, light switches and the like. That should about cover it without getting to high tech.

    Good Luck,

    Dormer

    1. ToolBear_ | May 05, 1999 09:41am | #11

      *Dormer covers your options nicely. I will second the rockwool (not sold in Home ___). We've used it and it really works. I am trying to find a source here for insulating my van.You could add another 2x4 wall, studs staggered. We did that on 2x6 plates for a machinery room next to a classroom. Stuffed with rockwool.ToolBear

  9. bakdo_ | May 05, 1999 09:41am | #12

    *
    I just bought a old duplex and to celebrate I tore it apart to re and re, now I find the party wall between the suites is only 2x4 construction with 2" of insulation and 2" of old bottles for sound proofing.(I have enough room for another 2x4 wall if need be)Anybody have any proven ideas?

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