What materials have soundproofing properties? Review of the best soundproofing materials for apartment walls

Soundproofing walls in an apartment, modern materials for which can be found in hardware stores today, is becoming more and more relevant. This is explained simply - fences in multi-storey standard buildings are not able to completely protect the home from external street noise and from sounds coming from neighboring apartments.

Medical scientists It has long been noted that the presence of constant noise has an extremely negative effect on the human psyche, preventing him from getting complete relaxation and rest. That is why, unable to withstand the constant sound pressure, many city residents, especially those who live in panel houses, begin an active search for a suitable soundproofing material that will meet all the requirements for its use in apartments.

Almost all modern acoustic materials are made on the same basic principles as traditional ones. However, they have undergone significant improvements due to recent production technologies.

Today there are very many a large number of new soundproofing materials, and it is simply impossible to cover the characteristics of all in one article. Therefore, attention will be focused on the most effective ones, which are used specifically in apartment conditions.

Thin sound insulation MaxForteSoundPRO

When the area of ​​an apartment or room does not limit the choice of materials, and you can install sound insulation of any thickness, this is convenient. But what if you can’t afford to waste precious centimeters of living space?

In this case, an innovative thin material for sound insulation is suitable for you. MaxForte SoundPRO. It has a thickness of only 12 mm, while its characteristics can compete with sound insulation with a thickness of 5 and even 10 cm! MaxForte SoundPRO — newest material, created specifically for soundproofing residential and industrial premises.

Specialists from the Research Institute of Building Physics and the Department of Acoustics, Faculty of Physics, Moscow State University, took part in the development of the material. During the production of MaxForte SoundPRO, all the important points for the effective operation of the material were taken into account: the optimal density was selected (if the density is low, the sound will pass through, if the density is too high, along the “skeleton”), the length of the fibers, and their thickness. The sound-absorbing layer is calibrated and uniform over the entire area. The material is completely non-flammable. The composition does not contain harmful phenol-formaldehyde resins or any adhesives. Therefore, in addition to excellent noise insulation properties, MaxForte SoundPRO is safe for health.

MaxForte SoundPRO provides an increase in noise insulation from both airborne noise (loud TV, crying child, screaming neighbors) and impact noise (noise from stomping, grinding furniture, falling objects). It can be used to soundproof ceilings, walls and floors, which will give a significant increase of up to 64 dB!

Installation of thin sound insulation is very simple, and not only professionals can handle it, but also anyone who has ever held a hammer drill and a screwdriver in their hand.

MaxForte SoundPRO is mounted on the wall using ordinary plastic mushroom dowels, which can be purchased at any hardware store. It is hung on the wall using the “joint-to-joint” technology, after which it is covered with a layer of gypsum fiber board (gypsum fiber sheet). All sheet seams must be sealed with a special vibroacoustic non-hardening sealant. Afterwards, the sound insulation is sewn up with a layer of gypsum plasterboard (plasterboard sheet). The seams of the gypsum fiber board and gypsum board sheets should be staggered, that is, not coincide.

You can see the installation of thin sound insulation MaxForte SoundPRO in the video.

Video - How to install thin sound insulation MaxForte SoundPRO

Thin wall soundproofing panelsSoundGuard EcoZvukoIzol

SoundGuard EcoZvukoIzol panels are unique material for soundproofing walls and ceilings, which allows you to achieve silence in the apartment and not lose useful space.

SoundGuard EcoZvukoIzol panels are made of durable multi-layer cardboard profiles based on the honeycomb principle, which are filled with thermally treated mineral quartz sand. The quartz filler used is very fine, exactly the same as hourglass. It is this filler that makes it possible to achieve an impressive weight of the panel - more than 18 kg per m2, and according to the laws of sound insulation, the heavier the material, the worse it transmits sound (cotton wool transmits sound very well, but for example, a brick wall or a steel door is much worse). Besides weight quartz sand Due to its fine fraction, it perfectly dampens and absorbs almost all frequencies of sound - from airborne to shock.

How to install panelsSoundGuard EcoZvukoIzol?

Installation of the panels is very simple and almost anyone can handle it. are attached to the wall using SoundGuard DAP acoustic anchors, which are driven into pre-drilled holes through the panel in the wall. After this, all seams and joints are coated with sealant and the entire wall is covered with plasterboard.

Mineral sound-absorbing material "Shumanet-BM"

This soundproofing material made from basalt fibers is considered a premium mineral sound-absorbing board. One side of the mat is laminated with a layer of fiberglass, which helps maintain the integrity of the slab and hold the internal basalt fibers in one position to prevent their small particles from entering the room. This is especially important in cases where the sound-absorbing material will be covered with perforated acoustic panels.

Packaging of soundproofing boards “Shumanet”

Plates " Schumanet BM" are manufactured in accordance with the requirements of SNiP 23 — 03-2003 “Noise protection”. They have the following technical and operational characteristics:

	Indicators
Standard slab size (mm)	1000×500 or 1000×600
Slab thickness (mm)	50
Material density (kg/m³)	45
Number of slabs per package (pcs.)	4
Area of ​​slabs in one package (m²)	2.0 or 2.4
Weight of one package (kg)	4.2÷5.5
Packaging volume (m³)	0.1 ÷ 0.12
Sound absorption coefficient (average)	0.95
Flammability (GOST 30244-94)	NG (non-flammable)
Water absorption when partially immersed in water for 24 hours, % of total volume	No more than 1÷3%

Acoustic tests to determine the sound absorption coefficient were carried out in the measurement laboratory of the Moscow Research Institute of Building Physics at the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences.

The basis of “Shumanet” is basalt fibers

Having a low degree moisture absorption, this soundproofing material can be used not only in rooms with normal humidity, but also, for example, in the bathroom. In addition, it is excellent for soundproofing suspended and suspended ceilings, and, of course, walls and multi-layer partitions made in the form of a sandwich of plasterboard, plywood, fiberboard and other sheet materials.

Soundproofing walls using Schumanet BM

Installation of the slabs of this sound insulator follows the same principle as all types mineral wool. However, one must take into account the fact that the material will be used primarily as sound absorber, and only then is considered as additional insulation.

The work is carried out in the following sequence:

• On the prepared surface, markings are made to secure the sheathing elements. Since the width of the mats is 500 mm, and they must stand apart between the bars, the distance between the guides should be 450 ÷ 480 mm. If mats 600 mm wide are purchased, then, accordingly, the distance between the bars should be 550 ÷ 580 mm.
• Next, the sheathing elements themselves are fixed, but at the same time, in order not to weaken the basic qualities of the soundproofing material, experienced craftsmen advise following a number of simple recommendations:

— For lathing, it is best to use wooden beams rather than metal profiles, since metal is a good conductor of sound and can resonate, and wood tends to dampen sound waves.

— Additionally, in order not to create bridges for the passage of sound, it is recommended to make gaskets made of thin sound-proofing material, for example, felt or strips of basalt wool 8 ÷ 10 mm thick, between the wall and the sheathing bars.

— If, after all, a metal profile is chosen for the sheathing, then it is better to move it away from the wall with a soundproofing pad by 12 ÷ 15 mm.

- In the case that the area soundproof the room is large enough, and it is possible to move the sheathing for sound-absorbing material and cladding 100 mm from the wall, then special ones can be used to fasten the bars details - hangers. They are screwed to the wall through wooden spacers, and the bars are already fixed in them.

Another option is the use of special suspensions, which are designed specifically for noise-absorbing structures. Structurally, such a product already has a special damper layer that effectively dampens vibrations without transferring them to the frame guides.

Special suspension used for soundproofing work

If guide bars secured in the manner indicated above, then the soundproofing mats are mounted in two layers. The first of them is installed behind the sheathing elements, close to the wall, and the second is installed between the guides.

Double-layer placement of “Shumanet” panels

• Ultimately, upon completion of installation of the Schumanet BM panels, the walls should look like this:

Next, on top of the mats soundproofing material is fixed vapor permeable diffuse membrane. Then they proceed to the installation of plasterboard or plywood sheets, which, in turn, will become the basis for finishing work. However, it is quite possible to replace this multi-layering by fastening it directly to the guide lathing of wooden decorative lining.

Next, the wall is covered with a diffuse membrane and covered with plasterboard or plywood

It should be noted that all sound and heat insulating materials made in mats or rolls are mounted on walls according to the same principle.

Video: advantages of soundproofing mineral slabs " Schumanet»

"Texound" - a new direction in sound insulation technology

"Texound" is not yet as popular as mineral wool or expanded polystyrene, since it is a relatively new sound insulator. The most important advantage"texaunda" in front of others soundproofing materials is that it practically does not “steal” the usable area of ​​the room, since it is small in thickness.

The main advantage of Texound is the highest efficiency of sound insulation with a small thickness of the material itself

This sound insulator is used for all surfaces of the room - it is fixed to the ceiling and walls, and also laid on the floor.

It should be noted that some craftsmen use Texound in combination with thermal insulation materials, and such a combination only increases the effectiveness of its use. But, unfortunately, the rooms in apartments most often do not have extra space that can be given over to a “powerful” multi-layer sound and heat insulating structure. In this regard, a material was developed that is able to protect rooms from excess noise without reducing the room in size.

To achieve the desired effect and protect the room from outside sounds, it is necessary to cover all surfaces of the room with soundproofing material, otherwise it will be impossible to achieve the desired result.

Texaund was developed in Spain by specialists famous company TEXSA, and its mass production began there industrial production. It is in this country that the largest deposit of the mineral aragonite, which is the main raw material, is located.

To be more precise, the basic component is calcium carbonate (CaCO³). Aragonite is very rich in this compound. In addition, calcium carbonate is the main component of many calcareous rocks, including chalk, marble and others.

Harmless polymer compounds are used as binding components, and the result is high-density membranes, but at the same time very flexible and elastic, with pronounced visco-elastic qualities, which is extremely important for sound insulation of complex building structures.

Soundproofing rooms with this material is very effective even if canvases of very small thickness are used. "Texound" is capable of absorbing and dispersing even high-intensity sound waves that come not only from the outside, but are also created indoors, for example, with very loud music.

Texaunda canvas covered with protective film

“Texound” is produced in sheets (membranes) and goes on sale in rolls packaged in polyethylene. It has the following technical and operational characteristics:

Name of material parameters	Indicators
Material density (kg/m³)	1900
Average specific gravity canvas (kg/m²)	6.9
Area covered by one package (m²)	6.1
Weight of one package (kg)	42
Sound insulation coefficient Rw (average)	28
Flammability (GOST 30244-94)	G2
Elongation at break (%)	300
Manufacturing materials	mineral aragonite, plasticizers, polyolefins, spunbond

In addition, the material has the following advantages:

• "Texaund" is resistant to temperature changes. Its elasticity does not decrease at all even with negative temperatures up to - 20 °C .
• The material has pronounced flexibility and ductility, and in this way “Texound” is somewhat reminiscent of rubber.

"Texound" with its plasticity resembles dense rubber

• The material is resistant to moisture and will never become an area for mold or mildew to spread, as it has antiseptic properties.
• The operating time of the Texound is not limited.
• Texound combines well with other materials and can be used in a complex system.

“Texound” is divided according to its thickness, size and release form, and may have additional layers that improve its characteristics. The main brands are presented in the table:

Name	Sound insulator release form	Linear parameters of the material, mm
"Texound 35"	roll	1220×8000×1.8
"Texound 50"	roll	1220×8000×1.8
"Texound 70"	roll	1220×6000×2.6
"Texound100"	sheet	1200×100×4.2
"Texound SY 35"	Self-adhesive roll	1220×8000×3.0
"Texound SY 50"	Self-adhesive roll	1220×6050×2.6
"Texound SY 50 AL"	Foil self-adhesive roll	1200×6000×2.0
"Texound SY 70"	Self-adhesive roll	1200×5050×3.8
"Texound SY100"	Self-adhesive sheet	1200×100×4.2
"Texound FT 55 AL"	With felt and foil layer, roll	1220×5500×15.0
"Texound FT 40"	With felt layer	1220×6000×12.0
"Texound FT 55"	With felt layer	1200×6000×14.0
"Texound FT 75"	With felt layer	1220×5500×15.0
"Texound 2FT 80"	With two felt layers	1200×5500×24.0
"Texound S BAND-50"	Self-adhesive tape	50×6000×3.7
Homakoll glue intended for Texound	Canister	8 liters

Installation of "texound"

Almost any base is suitable for installation of this material - concrete, plasterboard, plastic, wood, metal and others. The main thing is that the surface is well prepared - leveled, cleaned of old coatings, primed and dried.

If there is a high-quality layer of plaster on the wall, then it must be primed, and then installation can be carried out directly on it.

The work can be carried out in two ways. In the first of them, only soundproofing material is used, and in the second, it is used in combination with a heat insulator.

The first option - without additional insulation

• Glue is applied to the prepared surface. To install the Texaund, a special mounting adhesive is used, which is sold in ready-to-use liquid form in canisters. After coating, you must wait 15-20 minutes until the glue sets.

Marking and cutting of Texound canvases

• Next, the soundproofing material itself is mounted on the glued wall, which must be measured and cut in advance, and also pre-coated with glue.

Special glue is applied both to the surface of the wall and to the Texound canvas itself.

• If you purchase self-adhesive material, then installation will be much easier, since there is no need for glue, and you just need to remove the protective film and attach the material to the wall.
• Next, the texaund sheet needs to be pressed as tightly as possible to the surface, and then additionally walked over it with a roller. This must be done to achieve better adhesion to the wall surface over the entire area, without leaving air bubbles.

Welding Texound joints using a gas torch

• Texound canvases must be overlapped by approximately 50 mm. The sheets are glued together hermetically. This process is carried out using liquid nails glue or by heating the material with hot air or gas burner– adjacent sheets are welded. If during installation even small gaps are left between the panels, the effectiveness of sound insulation will be significantly reduced.

Doorway completely finished with Texound

• If Texound is installed on the ceiling, then it is glued in small sheets, since the material is quite heavy, and it will simply be impossible to hold a single sheet from wall to wall.
• After gluing the canvas, if necessary, it is additionally fixed to the wall with fastenings - “fungi”, the same ones that are most often used for installing polystyrene foam or mineral wool.

The second option is using thermal insulation

Complex installation is carried out if the wall needs not only soundproof, but also insulate. If there is such a task, then the work is carried out as follows:

• The sheathing frame is attached to the primed wall along the edges.

Texound frame around the perimeter of the wall

• The next step is to immediately glue Texound to the entire wall in one version, and pre-lay it in the other heat insulating material. However, the first method shows higher efficiency specifically for sound insulation.
• If thermal insulation is adjacent to the wall, the “texaund” is first secured with “fungi”, and then additionally pressed with strips of metal hangers.

Fixing Texound panels with mushroom dowels

• To achieve the required space for installing the insulating material, the metal profile of the frame is fixed into hangers at a distance of 40÷50 mm from the wall. In this case, it is necessary to set each of the profiles to the building level, otherwise the cladding of the frame will not be level.

Installation of a metal frame on top of soundproofing panels

• The next stage is the installation of insulation. The most environmentally friendly suitable insulation materials, which can be installed independently, is considered to be basalt-based mineral wool. If financial allow facilities, then you can use the above-described “Shumanet BM”, which is not only sound-absorbing, but a good thermal insulation material.

• It fits tightly between the sheathing posts and is pressed against the Texound mounted on the wall.
• Upon completion of the installation of insulation, the wall should look like this:

• It is advisable to tighten the insulation vapor permeable diffuse membrane.
• The next stage is . In some cases Plywood or OSB sheets are used for cladding.
• The sheets are fastened to the sheathing posts using self-tapping screws, the heads of which are recessed into the sheathing material by 1.5 ÷ 2 mm.

• Then the joints and holes from the screw heads are sealed with putty.
• Next, the surface is primed and puttied completely, and after that you can decorate the walls with decorative material.

Drywall is the most convenient material for leveling walls

The wall that received soundproofing and insulating protection, it is necessary to prepare for further work - to achieve a flat surface, which will become the basis for finishing materials. As well as in special publications on our portal.

Prices for drywall and sheet materials

Drywall and sheet materials

Existing texound installation schemes

Craftsmen use various installation schemes for this sound insulator. Depending on the ease of performing the work, the area of ​​the room and the required efficiency of insulating the walls from external noise, you can choose any of them. The only disadvantage of these structures is their thickness, which even in the best case will be at least 50 mm.

First option

This design will have a thickness of 50 mm.

• They begin to install it by covering the prepared metal profiles on the side of their contact with the wall with self-adhesive tape “Texound S BAND 50”. This must be done in order to avoid the transmission of sound and vibrations from the wall through the metal frame into the room.
• Further, frame elements are fixed to the wall with dowels, and heat-insulating, sound-absorbing mats are mounted between them.
• Then, soundproofing material is glued to the plasterboard sheets on the inside. In this case, Texound 70 is suitable.
• After that. drywall is fixed to the frame posts, and its seams are sealed with putty.

Second option

The thickness of the structure with this option will be 60 mm.

• In this case, first a thin heat insulator is attached to the wall. You can use foil insulation, installing it with the reflective surface towards the room. The insulation should cover the joints of the wall with the floor and ceiling, that is, extend to them by 150÷200 mm.
• On top of it is produced installation of a metal frame, which just like in the first design option, it is attached to the wall.
• Next, insulation mats are laid into the frame, which are covered with plasterboard with Texound 70 glued to it.

It should be noted here that the thermal insulation material attached to the wall can be replaced with Texound FT 75, which has an additional layer of felt.

Third option

The thickness of the third design option is 70 ÷ 80 mm, since it consists of more layers.

• The first layer of thermal insulation material is installed on the wall.
• The second layer is the Texound sound-absorbing membrane.
• A sheathing is mounted on top of it.
• Then the insulation mats are installed.
• The last layer on the structure is sandwich panels, consisting of two sheets of plasterboard, between which Texound is laid.

When purchasing soundproofing material of this type, it is recommended to provide the consultant of the selling company with the characteristics of the material from which the house is built. The sales consultant will help you make the right choice by determining the thickness and better shape release of Texound.

Video: using Texaund for soundproofing in an apartment

Using foam mats as sound insulation

The most effective affordable material for soundproofing walls in an apartment can be called acoustic foam rubber. Due to its porous structure, this material perfectly absorbs and dissipates sound vibrations.

Acoustic foam rubber is capable of neutralizing two types of noise - sound and vibration waves, that is, it muffles sound and dissipates low frequencies arising from vibrations of surfaces, for example, knocking or “bass” of music.

The material is quite durable and can be installed either as an independent soundproofing material or in combination with drywall. Foam mats are available in a wide range of sizes and can be textured or have a flat surface.

Foam rubber is made by pressing polyurethane foam, after which it is cut into standard blocks measuring 1000 × 2000 mm. The thickness of the mats varies from 10 to 120 mm. Domestic material is available in two or three colors, while imported options have a more varied range of colors, including 10 ÷ 12 colors.

Types of material relief

The types of relief patterns of acoustic foam rubber can be different. Both the total thickness of the material and its sound-absorbing properties.

The main types of reliefs used for the purpose of soundproofing rooms are presented in the tables below:

Material relief height (mm)	25	50	70	100
"Wedge"
	For moderate sound insulation of walls and ceilings.	Effective for absorbing standing sound waves and echoes in medium to small rooms.	For effective soundproofing of rooms of any size.	To absorb low frequencies, most often used in large halls.
"Pyramid"
	For moderate protection of walls against penetration of high and medium frequencies.	Protection against standing waves in small spaces. In combination with traps for low frequencies, they can completely soundproof a room.	It is used for rooms of any size and is used in conjunction with additional soundproofing elements, such as sound traps.	Same characteristics as wedge material type

There are other, less commonly used elements made from acoustic foam.

Name of relief type	Characteristics
"Peak"	This mat relief is less popular and has an unusual pattern. Its lack of demand is explained by lower soundproofing qualities than those of the materials mentioned above.
"Bass Trap"	Low frequency waves are more difficult to dampen because they have longer length. For this purpose, bass traps are installed in each corner of the room, which are designed for rooms of any size.
"Treble and Mid Frequency Traps"	These elements are installed in large halls. They are designed to capture mid and high frequencies, and create a low frequency diffusion effect. They are installed in a vertical position, but if the blocks are cut in half and installed in the corners, they will become low frequency traps.
"Corner block"	Corner blocks are produced in the form of a triangular beam. They are installed in the corners of the room and at the junctions of two surfaces, and also serve to dissipate low frequencies.
Decorative ceiling tiles	They are produced with or without a relief pattern. They are designed to change the relief and shape of the ceiling, thereby achieving an additional soundproofing effect.
Insulating wedges	Used to reduce vibrations from studio equipment and used as a substrate for it.

Until recently, acoustic foam rubber was rarely used in apartments, since the material tends to accumulate dust. But in recent years, more and more residents panel houses foam rubber is chosen to reduce the sound conductivity of walls. Thanks to its high sound-absorbing and dissipating properties, this material can make a room almost completely soundproof, provided it is installed not only on walls, but also on the surface of the ceiling and floor.

It is very important to note that acoustic foam rubber does not lose any of its soundproofing qualities when it is covered with plasterboard. The main condition in creating such a structure is that the foam mats themselves must be glued directly to the base of the wall, without any lining.

Soundproofing walls with acoustic foam

Installing foam rubber on walls is not too complicated, so you can easily do it yourself. In this case, it is worth considering the most acceptable method of sound insulation for apartment conditions, but it should immediately be noted that the area of ​​the room will be slightly reduced.

Installation work is carried out in the following sequence:

• To make the foam stick easily, it is best to prime the wall surface and dry it well.
• Next, the mats need to be fixed to the wall. They must fit tightly to its surface, otherwise the sound insulation effect will be partially lost.

• You can glue foam mats using wide double-sided mounting tape, “liquid nails” or heated silicone.
• When all the walls are covered with foam mats, you can proceed to the installation of frame sheathing made of metal profiles or wooden beams. The frame guides are mounted at a distance of 50÷60 mm from the wall.
• The racks are mounted in the recesses of the relief pattern directly to the wall. Holes for fastenings are drilled directly through the foam.
• After fixing the frame of the sheathing, sheets of plasterboard, plywood, PVC panels or other finishing materials are fixed to the guides. This will not in any way reduce the sound absorption efficiency of the foam layer, since it will be the first to receive all sound waves coming from outside, absorb them and dissipate them.
• In the same way, the foam rubber is mounted on the lathing. The lathing is installed directly on it, and then one of the types of suspended ceilings is fixed.
• On the floor, logs are laid on top of acoustic foam rubber, on which a plank or plywood floor is laid. Further, if desired, laminate, linoleum, carpeting or other decorative covering can be laid on the plywood.

It should be noted that the installation of acoustic mats does not require serious preparatory repair work, and if the decision is made to leave the foam panels in open form, then their installation will generally take no more than one day.

The exposed material will require frequent cleaning with a powerful vacuum cleaner to prevent large amounts of dust from accumulating within the porous material. If one of the panels comes away from the wall for some reason, it can be quickly and without special preparation glued into place.

In addition to the soundproofing materials considered, there are others in the assortment of construction stores. But today, acoustic foam rubber, Texaund membranes, Schumanet slabs and similar sound insulators can be called the most effective and safest for installation in an apartment.

Today, soundproofing of premises is an increasingly pressing problem. This issue arises especially acutely in large cities, where there are a huge number of different sources of noise, and it is growing every day. At the same time, the demand for high-quality soundproofing materials is increasing.

In today's hectic world, the opportunity to be in peace and quiet is a luxury not available to everyone. They can almost always protect you from sounds from the street. quality windows(we wrote about how to choose them in previous articles), but getting rid of the invisible “presence” of neighbors is not an easy task. Crying children at night, loud birthday celebrations, singing in the shower and much more can become more than just sources of irritation. If it is impossible to get quality rest in own home health problems may even arise - chronic fatigue and neuroses. In addition, it is impossible to fully enjoy beautiful loud music or a movie in a home theater without fear of disturbing someone.

There is only one way out - to carry out high-quality sound insulation, and it is quite possible to do this with your own hands. Today there is a wide range of these products on the market, so it can be very difficult for a modern consumer to independently understand all the nuances and technical and operational characteristics of this category of goods. How to choose soundproofing materials, which ones are better and more effective in a particular situation, and also which ones comparative characteristics have, will help you figure it out this material.

They are selected to solve specific technological problems - depending on the type of noise, functional purpose buildings and operational requirements. In apartment buildings, partitions and load-bearing walls are just a conditional barrier to the propagation of sound waves. However, in order to gain complete independence from noise and not disturb your neighbors, the problem can be solved very easily - you need to carry out high-quality sound insulation.

First you need to decide on the type of noise that affects you. They are divided into three general groups:

• Airborne noise - it travels through the air. If an obstacle in the form of walls, partitions or ceilings occurs in the path of a sound wave, it does not go out, but causes vibrations in them. They are transmitted to air particles in neighboring rooms, which is why we hear sounds. Examples of such noise could be a loud receiver, neighbors talking, a child crying, and so on. High-quality soundproofing material can dampen vibrations, helping to eliminate the problem;
• Impact noise – occurs due to mechanical impacts on structures. This could include rearranging furniture, objects falling on the floor, impacts, and much more. Then the floors and ceilings need to be soundproofed;
• Structural noise - in this case, sounds propagate through the building structures. Such noises are the most difficult to get rid of; only complete soundproofing of the entire apartment will help.

There is also complete and local sound insulation. The latter method involves isolating particularly weak areas from noise.

Review of soundproofing materials

Sound waves, which are produced both by sources inside and outside the house, spread to all structures fixed to each other. As a result, sound that originates in one location is often heard in another and travels throughout the building. You can protect yourself from it not only in a closed room provided with high-quality sound insulation, but also in a properly designed open space.

The main parameters that determine soundproofing properties materials are Iв - index of insulation from airborne noise, as well as Iу - index of the reduced level of impact noise under the ceiling. In European countries, a different designation for the parameters Iв and Iу is accepted - Rw and Ln, w, respectively. The indices Iв and Iу can be converted into Rw and Ln, w using the formulas: Rw - Iв + 2 (dB), Ln, w - Iу - 7 (dB).

In the modern construction industry, the most popular and widespread are the following types of soundproofing materials, according to the generally accepted classification:

• Mineral wool;
• Expanded polystyrene;
• Viscoelastic membranes;
• Foamed polymers;
• Sandwich panels;
• Natural cork;
• Cellulose materials (ecowool);
• Foam glass;
• Rubber sound insulators;
• Soundproofing substrates.

Each of them is worth a detailed consideration, as it has a number of advantages and limitations.

Mineral wool One of the most common materials today is mineral wool. It perfectly absorbs sounds - both shock and air origin. These characteristics allow it to remain the most popular material for these purposes. For the work, special slabs or mats made from acoustic mineral wool are used.

Such products are distinguished by high levels of sound insulation, which are achieved due to the special arrangement of the fibers. The structure creates open air cavities that perfectly dampen sound vibrations. Thanks to this, mineral wool has excellent sound insulation properties, while being characterized by low dynamic rigidity. A very important indicator of the effectiveness of sound insulation is the sound absorption coefficient ap, which depends on whether the wool is glued to the surface or separated from it by air space, and whether there are facing materials on top. In addition, the sound absorption coefficient ap depends on the thickness of the material. As a rule, it is in the range from 0.75 to 1.

Expanded polystyrene is the second most popular material for these purposes. However, it is capable of absorbing only sounds of impact origin, and in order for it to obtain optimal sound insulation properties, it must be slightly pressed down so that the structure is compressed. But despite this, the material is extremely common. Due to such specific parameters, expanded polystyrene is used mainly to provide insulation for floors and ceilings. If laid on the floor, it can be perfectly compressed by pouring a concrete screed 3-6 cm thick.

Reinforcement of the screed makes it possible to protect it from cracking as a result of movements on a deformed base - under the influence of such a load, the height of the material decreases by 2-4 mm, the granules are compressed, providing excellent suppression of impact noise in the range of 25–33 dB.

The material must be laid on a level base, close to each other. The seams are offset half the length of the slab, and the seams on the edges are usually made of the same material. Before pouring the screed, a separating layer of film material or roofing material is laid on the polystyrene foam base. Slabs of small thickness - up to 4 cm - are ideal for sound insulation.

Membranes. As for viscoelastic membranes, they also seem to be very comfortable material for sound insulation. They are generally used to increase protection frame walls from extraneous sounds. However, viscoelastic membranes are also manufactured for:

• walls;
• ceilings;
• floors;
• roofs;
• engineering communications.

They are high-density synthetic soundproofing materials made from polymers, without the use of bitumen resins and rubber. They are characterized by high levels of elasticity, flexibility, strength, durability and fire resistance. They are also used as vibration-damping middle layers to increase the sound insulation of frame walls and prevent the occurrence of resonant effects. A viscoelastic membrane is glued to plasterboard sheets on the inside of the supporting frame. The use of such materials makes it possible to increase protection from extraneous sounds by 25-32 dB.

Polyurethane. Polyurethane is also often used to soundproof individual parts of the apartment - bathroom, toilet, kitchen, living room and others. As a rule, foamed polymers are used in studio spaces as the easiest way to ensure sound insulation of walls, ceilings and partitions between neighboring apartments or rooms.

Panels. Recently, sandwich panels have begun to gain great popularity in the market of soundproofing materials. They can be completely different in length and composition, and are usually used for soundproofing single-layer partitions. Today, more and more often, ready-made sound insulation systems have begun to be used to create additional protection for single-layer partitions (for example, brick walls) from sound waves. These are sandwich panels of different thicknesses, which consist of a combination of materials various densities and structural characteristics. The advantages of using them include the absence of the need to install a metal frame - they are attached directly to the walls.

One of the most popular options is the combination of a dense layer (gypsum fiber sheet) and a light layer (mineral wool) - the thickness and structure of the materials can vary. They are mounted using vibration-isolating materials through special units made by the manufacturer. The thickness of such panels can be from 40 to 150 mm, and is selected based on the thickness of the load-bearing partition. The increase in the sound insulation index depends on the density and can range from 10 to 20 dB.

It is also possible to use triplex panels in the form of durable multilayer cellulose frames with mineral fillers, which use specially selected mineralogical compositions. They are mounted to the walls using dowels (possibly to the sheathing), and also laid on the floor, replacing floating floor systems and cement screeds. Each of the frame layers has its own indicators of multiple reflection and dispersion of sound waves, which makes it possible to achieve a reduction in airborne noise of up to 37 dB with a material thickness of 10 mm.

Cork. Natural cork materials have been used for a very long time to create high-quality sound insulation of rooms, however, thanks to the development modern technologies, the sound-absorbing qualities of cork coatings are constantly improving. And, if previously a technical cork with a grain size of 5-8 mm was used, today it is manufactured with better sound insulation characteristics, which are ensured by smaller sizes - 1-3 mm, but the air voids here are 3 times larger.

Ecowool. Cellulose insulation based on ecowool are also excellently used as soundproofing material - and they can also be used for different types noise and different rooms. The material is obtained in the process of processing secondary raw materials - waste paper. It consists of 80% recycled cellulose, 15% antiseptics, and 5% fire retardant. It is used not only for insulation, but also for suppressing airborne noise:

• on floors that separate unused attics;
• filling frame walls and partitions.

The soundproofing characteristics of ecowool are due to the structural features of the material - there is a large number of fibers separated by air space. It is blown out using special equipment and, depending on the place of application, laid in layers of different densities.

Foam glass. The material has high technical and operational characteristics - high strength, resistance to aggressive chemical compounds, fire safety, ease of processing, due to which the material has gained immense popularity in European countries. Foam glass slabs are very easy to cut - they can be mounted both outside (laid as the middle layer of the insulating “pie”) and indoors. In addition, they can be used to construct lightweight internal partitions. The 10 cm thick plate provides sound insulation protection of up to 30 dB.

Rubber. Rubber-based sound insulation materials are excellent at absorbing impact types of noise. They are very often used for industrial premises, but residential buildings can also be insulated with their help. Made from recycled rubber (sometimes with the addition of cork).

Very often used as sound insulation under appliances household appliances, the operation of which is accompanied by the appearance of vibration waves (washing machines and dishwashers). They can also be applied directly under floor coverings, under floating screeds or concrete slabs, as well as under rigid floor elements on a wooden base.

Manufacturers offer materials for various types floor coverings: parquet, parquet boards, laminates, carpets, linoleums and even ceramic tiles. During installation, it is necessary to ensure that there are no gaps left - all layers must be tightly fixed to each other, otherwise acoustic bridges will appear at the seams, worsening the design parameters. Allows you to reduce impact noise to 15–33 dB.

Substrates. The peculiarity of flooring underlays is that they suppress impact noise, but not airborne noise. However, they will be indispensable for laying under laminate and parquet, especially if the design of these floor coverings does not include a sound absorber layer. Allows you to prevent the appearance of dull noises that are accompanied by walking on the floor and which are heard in the rooms located below. Substrates for sound insulation can be presented in the form of:

• Elastic mats made of polyethylene foam 4 mm thick, which level out unevenness of the base, prevent the spread of impact noise and the formation of sound bridges;
• Fiberboards made from compressed wood fibers. They are light and porous, providing a smooth and elastic base for floor coverings;
• Cork mats that are compressible and elastic, do not absorb water and do not age;
• Corrugated cardboard, which perfectly suppresses noise and does not allow water vapor to pass through, without shrinking;
• Tuplex mats, the thickness of which is about 3 mm, are a two-layer polyethylene film of heterogeneous composition, separated by a layer of polystyrene foam granules, which are embedded in glue. Ideal for installation under wood or panel floors. They have high noise suppression capabilities - 17 dB. This material has moisture-proof properties, so the use of a vapor barrier is not required when laying it.
• Polyurethane foam mats, depending on the type, can be used for laying under elastic coatings on glue, linoleum, as well as under glued and freely mounted rubber or carpet materials. They can also be laid on load-bearing structures of floors, on seamless, putty plank floors, PVC coverings, on stone and ceramic tile floors, varnished parquet floors. The thickness of the mats is 2.5 mm, and the noise suppression ability is 17–19 dB. Polyurethane foam mats improve sound insulation by 23 dB.

The fastenings on which sound insulation is installed deserve special attention. As a rule, for these purposes it is necessary to install frame plasterboard structures on the walls and ceiling. However, the presence of rigid fixation between the protected surfaces and the metal frame in the form of standard metal hangers and brackets leads to the fact that, even with the use of gaskets, noise is transmitted to the cladding and further into the premises.

Soundproofing materials: table

To solve this problem, it is necessary to use special soundproofing fasteners that are strong enough, but at the same time flexible, and also have soundproofing characteristics in a wide frequency range. Fastenings have a large number of varieties; they differ in scope, design features and type of elastic element used.

However, sound insulation can not only be continuous - there is also local insulation. In addition, very often there is protection not from external sound waves, but on the contrary - it is necessary to protect neighboring rooms from sounds, in such cases acoustic insulation is carried out.

Local sound insulation

Since childhood, everyone has known “spy” ways of listening to neighbors through sockets. Typically, these elements are between different apartments they are made through, and the builders not only do not equip them with sound insulation, but do not even install partitions. In such cases, you can simply call an electrician or fix the problem yourself, following the rules and safety precautions when working with electricity.

To do this, you need to turn off the power to the socket, remove it and then remove the mounting box. The hole must be sealed with cement or mounting putty, after which has dried, the socket can be mounted in place. This method allows you to eliminate another source of local noise penetration - distribution boxes. As a rule, they are located in the walls or under the ceiling, hidden under wallpaper or other finishing material. They are very easy to find by simply tapping the wall, although in this case it is best to use the services of professionals, since there are a large number of electrical cables there.

Another source of local noise can be water supply, heating and sewer risers. Their sound insulation must be carried out at the construction stage - sleeves larger than the required size are inserted into the ceilings, and the space between them is filled with non-flammable sound-proofing material. It is sealed on top with a special plastic sealant (how to choose it, read the material about sealants). However, in practice, the situation is completely opposite - pipes are simply routed through the ceilings, and the gaps are sealed with simple cement, which not only conducts sound waves well, but cracks and collapses over time.

To eliminate this drawback, it is necessary to clear the old cement as deeply as possible, wrap the pipe with soundproofing material, cement the dismantled section of the ceiling, and seal the joints themselves.

The last point of local sound insulation is the elimination of deep cracks between partitions and walls. To create barriers to sound waves, you can fill the seams with gypsum plaster, cement or plastic sealant.

Acoustic insulation

In most modern premises, providing a comfortable acoustic environment is one of the main functional requirements (for example, for cinemas, concerts, multidisciplinary and conference rooms, office premises and others).

The acoustic characteristics of rooms significantly influence the nature of sound reproduction in them. That is why structures intended, for example, for lectures and concerts, must have different acoustic parameters.

One of the main criteria that characterize the acoustic quality of a room is the reverberation indicators (RT60). At large values, the perception of sounds is distorted, speech intelligibility indicators decrease, at very low values, the effects of “lifelessness” of the premises and “dryness” of the reproduced sound effects appear. In most cases, modern acoustic materials and structures, which ensure high sound absorption rates in rooms, make it possible to ensure optimal reverberation rates (or adjust them).

To ensure optimal sound absorption, the greatest attention should be paid to the ceiling space. That’s why “acoustic” ceilings that absorb sounds have been manufactured for quite some time. In large buildings, where ceiling space alone is not enough to improve acoustics, it is also recommended to use special sound-absorbing panels for walls.

The technical and operational characteristics of ceiling and wall sound-absorbing panels include: acoustic and hygienic parameters, moisture resistance, fire safety parameters, impact resistance, lighting characteristics and service life. Today, there are a large number of materials that are suitable for solving not just one technological problem, but a whole set of requirements, for example, to ensure the necessary acoustic parameters in rooms with high humidity - in swimming pools. Moreover, these systems also perform artistic functions in interior design.

The choice of materials for ceilings or walls depends on various parameters: the functionality of the premises, their volumes, the cost of materials, design features and others, as well as on which frequency range needs to be adjusted. According to their absorption characteristics, they can be divided into: medium- and high-frequency absorbers, as well as low-frequency absorbers;

The first type includes:

• porous slabs;
• fibrous materials, which can be made in the form of slabs of mineral or glass wool, artificial or wood fibers. The front part can be treated with special porous coloring compounds and covered with fabric;

Low-frequency absorbing materials can be presented in the form of thin panels with different perforation rates, which can be made from gypsum boards, MDF, wood and other materials. Low-frequency absorbers can also include resonant structures made of porous-fiber materials, with perforated fabric screens and air gaps.

The modern market for soundproofing materials is represented by a large assortment of products, among which everyone can choose what they need - in full compliance with the technical and operational requirements imposed by the installation features. This material described in detail all materials, as well as the features of their use.

Acoustic principles are often not quite correctly interpreted and, as a result, incorrectly applied in practice.

Much of what should be considered knowledge and experience in this field often turns out to be incompetence. The traditional approach of most builders to solving problems of sound insulation and correction of room acoustics is based on practice and experience, which often limit or even reduce the overall acoustic effect. Successful acoustic projects tend to be free of misconceptions and pseudoscientific conclusions, and their content is aimed at ensuring that the money and effort invested will produce beneficial and predictable results.

Listed below are some of the most common acoustic myths that we constantly encounter when communicating with our clients.

Myth #1: Soundproofing and sound absorption are the same thing

Data: Sound absorption is a reduction in the energy of a reflected sound wave when interacting with an obstacle, for example a wall, partition, floor, ceiling. It is carried out by dissipating energy, converting it into heat, and exciting vibrations. Sound absorption is assessed using the dimensionless sound absorption coefficient αw in the frequency range 125-4000 Hz. This coefficient can take a value from 0 to 1 (the closer to 1, the correspondingly higher the sound absorption). With the help of sound-absorbing materials, hearing conditions inside the room are improved.

Sound insulation - reducing the sound level when sound passes through the fence from one room to another. The effectiveness of sound insulation is assessed by the airborne noise insulation index Rw (averaged in the range of the most typical frequencies for housing - from 100 to 3000 Hz), and interfloor ceilings also by the index of the reduced level of impact noise under the ceiling Lnw. The more Rw and the less Lnw, the higher the sound insulation. Both quantities are measured in dB (decibel).

Advice: To increase sound insulation, it is recommended to use the most massive and thick enclosing structures. Finishing a room with sound-absorbing materials alone is ineffective and does not lead to a significant increase in sound insulation between rooms.

Myth No. 2: The higher the value of the airborne noise insulation index Rw, the higher the sound insulation of the fence

Data: The airborne sound insulation index Rw is an integral characteristic used only for the frequency range 100-3000 Hz and is designed to assess noise of household origin (spoken speech, radio, TV). The higher the Rw value, the higher the sound insulation exactly this type.
In the process of developing the methodology for calculating the Rw index, the appearance of home theaters and noisy engineering equipment (fans, air conditioners, pumps, etc.) in modern residential buildings was not taken into account.
A situation is possible when a light frame partition made of gypsum plasterboard has an Rw index higher than that of a brick wall of the same thickness. In this case, the frame partition isolates the sounds of a voice, a running TV, a ringing phone or an alarm clock much better, but a brick wall will reduce the sound of a home theater subwoofer more effectively.

Advice: Before erecting partitions in a room, analyze the frequency characteristics of existing or potential noise sources. When choosing design options for partitions, we recommend comparing their sound insulation in third-octave frequency bands, rather than Rw indices. To soundproof low-frequency noise sources (home theater, mechanical equipment), it is recommended to use enclosing structures made of dense solid materials.

Myth No. 3: Noisy engineering equipment can be located in any part of the building, because it can always be soundproofed with special materials

Data: Correct location noise engineering equipment is a task of paramount importance when developing an architectural and planning solution for a building and measures to create an acoustically comfortable environment. Soundproofing structures and vibration-proofing materials can be very expensive. Despite this, the use of soundproofing technologies cannot always reduce the acoustic impact of engineering equipment to standard values ​​throughout the entire audio frequency range.

Advice: Noisy engineering equipment must be located away from the protected premises. Many vibration-isolating materials and technologies have limitations in their effectiveness depending on the combination of weight and size characteristics of the equipment and building structures. Many types of engineering equipment have pronounced low-frequency characteristics that are difficult to isolate.

Myth No. 4: Windows with double-glazed windows (3 panes) have higher sound insulation characteristics compared to windows with single-chamber double-glazed windows (2 panes)

Data: Due to the acoustic connection between the glasses and the occurrence of resonance phenomena in thin air gaps (usually they are 8-10 mm), double-glazed windows, as a rule, do not provide significant sound insulation from external noise compared to single-chamber double-glazed windows of the same width and total glass thickness. With the same thickness of double-glazed windows and the total thickness of the glass in them, a single-chamber double-glazed window will always have a higher value of the airborne noise insulation index Rw compared to a double-chamber one.

Advice: To increase the sound insulation of a window, it is recommended to use double-glazed windows of the maximum possible width (at least 36 mm), consisting of two massive glasses, preferably of different thicknesses (for example, 6 and 8 mm) and the widest possible distance strip. If a double-chamber double-glazed window is used, then it is recommended to use glass of different thicknesses and air gaps of different widths. The profile system must provide a three-circuit seal of the sash around the perimeter of the window. In real conditions, the quality of the sash affects the sound insulation of the window even more than the formula of the double-glazed window. It must be taken into account that sound insulation is a frequency-dependent characteristic. Sometimes a double glazed window with great value Rw index may be less effective compared to a glass unit with a lower Rw index value in some frequency ranges.

Myth No. 5: The use of mineral wool mats in frame partitions is sufficient to ensure high sound insulation between rooms

Data: Mineral wool is not a soundproofing material; it can only be one of the elements of a soundproofing structure. For example, special sound-absorbing boards made of acoustic mineral wool can increase the sound insulation of plasterboard partitions, depending on their design, by 5-8 dB. On the other hand, covering a single-layer frame partition with a second layer of plasterboard can increase its sound insulation by 5-6 dB.
However, it must be remembered that the use of arbitrary insulation materials in soundproofing structures leads to a much smaller effect or does not have any effect on sound insulation at all.

Advice: To increase the sound insulation of enclosing structures, it is strongly recommended to use special slabs made of acoustic mineral wool due to its high sound absorption rates. But acoustic mineral wool must be used in combination with soundproofing methods, such as the construction of massive and/or acoustically decoupled enclosing structures, the use of special soundproofing fasteners, etc.

Myth No. 6: Sound insulation between two rooms can always be increased by erecting a partition with a high sound insulation index value

Data: Sound propagates from one room to another not only through the dividing partition, but also through all adjacent building structures and utilities (partitions, ceiling, floor, windows, doors, air ducts, water supply, heating and sewerage pipelines). This phenomenon is called indirect sound transmission. All building elements require sound insulation measures. For example, if you build a partition with a sound insulation index of Rw = 60 dB, and then install a door without a threshold in it, then the total sound insulation of the fence will practically be determined by the sound insulation of the door and will be no more than Rw = 20-25 dB. The same thing will happen if you connect both isolated rooms with a common one. ventilation duct, laid through a soundproof partition.

Advice: When constructing building structures, it is necessary to ensure a “balance” between their sound insulation properties so that each of the sound propagation channels has approximately the same impact on the total sound insulation. Particular attention should be paid to the ventilation system, windows and doors.

Myth No. 7: Multilayer frame partitions have higher sound insulation characteristics compared to conventional 2-layer ones

Data: Intuitively, it seems that the more alternating layers of plasterboard and mineral wool, the higher the sound insulation of the fence. In fact, the sound insulation of frame partitions depends not only on the mass of the cladding and on the thickness of the air gap between them.

Various designs of frame partitions are shown in Fig. 1 and are arranged in order of increasing sound insulation ability. As an initial design, consider a partition with double gypsum board cladding on both sides.

If we redistribute the layers of drywall in the original partition, making them alternate, we will divide the existing air gap into several thinner segments. Reducing the air gaps leads to an increase in the resonant frequency of the structure, which significantly reduces sound insulation, especially at low frequencies.
With the same number of gypsum board sheets, a partition with one air gap has the greatest sound insulation.

Therefore, applying the correct technical solution When designing soundproofing partitions, the optimal combination of sound-absorbing and general construction materials has a much greater impact on the final soundproofing result than a simple choice of special acoustic materials.

Advice: To increase the sound insulation of frame partitions, it is recommended to use structures on independent frames, double or even triple gypsum board cladding, and fill the internal space of the frames with special sound-absorbing material, use elastic gaskets between guide profiles and building structures, carefully seal the joints.
It is not recommended to use multilayer structures with alternating dense and elastic layers.

Myth No. 8: Polystyrene foam is an effective soundproofing and sound-absorbing material.

Fact A: Polystyrene foam is available in sheets of various thicknesses and bulk densities. Various manufacturers They call their products differently, but the essence does not change - it is expanded polystyrene. This is an excellent heat-insulating material, but it has nothing to do with sound insulation of airborne noise. The only design in which the use of polystyrene foam can have a positive effect on noise reduction is when it is laid under a screed in a floating floor structure. And even then this applies only to reducing impact noise. At the same time, the effectiveness of a layer of foam plastic 40-50 mm thick under the screed does not exceed the effectiveness of most cushioning soundproofing materials with a thickness of only 3-5 mm. The overwhelming majority of builders recommend gluing sheets of foam plastic to walls or ceilings and then plastering them to increase sound insulation. In fact, such a “soundproofing structure” will not increase, and in most cases even reduce (!!!) the sound insulation of the fence. The fact is that facing a massive wall or ceiling with a layer of plasterboard or plaster using an acoustically rigid material, such as polystyrene foam, leads to deterioration in the sound insulation of such a two-layer structure. This is due to resonant phenomena in the mid-frequency region. For example, if such cladding is mounted on both sides of a heavy wall (Fig. 3), then the reduction in sound insulation can be catastrophic! In this case, a simple oscillatory system is obtained (Fig. 2) “mass m1-spring-mass m2-spring-mass m1”, where: mass m1 is a layer of plaster, mass m2 is a concrete wall, spring is a layer of foam.

Fig.2	Fig.4
Fig.3

Rice. 2 ÷ 4 Deterioration of airborne noise insulation by the wall when installing additional cladding (plaster) on an elastic layer (foam plastic).

a - without additional cladding (R’w=53 dB);

b - with additional cladding (R’w=42 dB).

Like any oscillatory system, this design has a resonant frequency Fo. Depending on the thickness of the foam and plaster, the resonant frequency of this structure will be in the frequency range 200÷500 Hz, i.e. falls into the middle of the speech range. Near the resonant frequency, a dip in sound insulation will be observed (Fig. 4), which can reach a value of 10-15 dB!

It should be noted that the same disastrous result can be achieved by using materials such as polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, some types of hard polyurethanes, sheet cork and soft fiberboard instead of polystyrene foam in such a structure, and instead of plaster plasterboard boards on glue, sheets of plywood, chipboard, OSB.

Fact B: In order for a material to absorb sound energy well, it must be porous or fibrous, i.e. ventilated. Expanded polystyrene is a windproof material with a closed cell structure (with air bubbles inside). A layer of foam plastic mounted on a hard surface of a wall or ceiling has a vanishingly low sound absorption coefficient.

Advice: When installing additional soundproofing linings, it is recommended to use acoustically soft sound-absorbing materials, for example, based on thin basalt fiber, as a damping layer. It is important to use special sound-absorbing materials, and not arbitrary insulation.

And finally, probably the most important misconception, the exposure of which follows from all the facts given above:

Myth No. 9: You can soundproof a room from airborne noise by gluing or attaching thin but “effective” soundproofing materials to the surface of the walls and ceiling

Data: The main factor that exposes this myth is the presence of the soundproofing problem itself. If such thin soundproofing materials existed in nature, then the problem of noise protection would be solved at the design stage of buildings and structures and would come down only to the choice appearance and prices of similar materials.

It was said above that in order to isolate airborne noise, it is necessary to use sound-insulating structures of the “mass-elasticity-mass” type, in which between the sound-reflecting layers there would be a layer of acoustically “soft” material, sufficiently thick and having high values ​​of the sound absorption coefficient. It is impossible to fulfill all these requirements within the total thickness of the structure of 10-20 mm. The minimum thickness of soundproofing cladding, the effect of which would be obvious and tangible, is at least 50 mm. In practice, claddings with a thickness of 75 mm or more are used. The greater the depth of the frame, the higher the sound insulation.

Sometimes “experts” cite the example of soundproofing technology for car bodies using thin materials. In this case, a completely different noise insulation mechanism works - vibration damping, effective only for thin plates (in the case of a car - metal). The vibration damping material must be viscoelastic, have high internal losses and have a thickness greater than that of the insulated plate. Indeed, in fact, although car sound insulation is only 5-10 mm thick, it is 5-10 times thicker than the metal itself from which the car body is made. If we imagine an inter-apartment wall as an insulated plate, it becomes obvious that it will not be possible to soundproof a massive and thick brick wall using the “automotive” vibration damping method.

Advice: Carrying out soundproofing work in any case requires a certain loss of usable area and height of the room. It is recommended to contact an acoustics specialist at the design stage to minimize these losses and choose the cheapest and most effective option for soundproofing your room.

Conclusion

There are many more misconceptions in the practice of building acoustics than described above. The examples given will help you avoid some serious mistakes during construction or repair work in your apartment, house, recording studio or home theater. These examples serve to illustrate that you should not unconditionally believe repair articles from glossy magazines or the words of an “experienced” builder - “...And we always do it this way...”, which are not always based on scientific acoustic principles.

A reliable guarantee of the correct implementation of a set of soundproofing measures that ensure maximum acoustic effect can be provided by competently compiled recommendations by an acoustic engineer for soundproofing walls, floors and ceilings.

Andrey Smirnov, 2008

Bibliography

SNiP II-12-77 “Noise Protection” / M.: “Stroyizdat”, 1978.
“Manual for MGSN 2.04-97. Design of sound insulation of enclosing structures of residential and public buildings”/- M.: State Unitary Enterprise “NIAC”, 1998.
“Handbook for protection from noise and vibration of residential and public buildings” / ed. IN AND. Zaborov. - Kyiv: ed. "Budevelnik", 1989.
"Designer's Handbook. Noise protection” / ed. Yudina E.Ya. - M.: “Stroyizdat”, 1974.
“Guide to the calculation and design of sound insulation of building envelopes” / NIISF Gosstroy USSR. - M.: Stroyizdat, 1983.
“Noise reduction in buildings and residential areas” / ed. G.L. Osipova / M.: Stroyizdat, 1987.

From a constructive point of view, partitions can be divided into two classes: single-layer and multi-layer.

Single-layer structures involve the use of any dense building material on a rigid binder (mortar). These can be brick, plaster, expanded clay concrete and even reinforced concrete partitions, where concrete plays the role of both a structural material and a binder. Despite the fact that a combination of several materials is possible in one partition, the presence of only dense materials will be decisive, provided there are rigid connections between all structural elements (for example, a wall made of pumice concrete blocks on cement-sand mortar, lined with brick).

The sound insulation characteristics of such structures are determined primarily by their mass and improve by approximately 6 dB with a doubling of the wall mass. The porosity of the partition material also plays a role in ensuring its soundproofing qualities. However, as practice shows, it is practically impossible to gain by increasing the porosity of the material due to more significant losses of sound insulation with a corresponding decrease in the surface density of such a material.

Multilayer partitions, as the name suggests, consist of several (at least two) alternating layers of hard (dense) and soft (light) building materials. Dense materials (plasterboard, brick, metal) exhibit soundproofing properties here and work similarly to single-layer partitions: the higher the surface density of the material, the higher the sound insulation. Light layer materials perform a sound-absorbing function, i.e. the structure of the material must be such that when sound vibrations pass through it, they are weakened due to air friction in the pores of the material. It should be noted the low efficiency of using materials such as polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam or cork in soundproofing partitions. This is due to the fact that for good soundproofing materials they have insufficient density, and to classify them as sound-absorbing materials, their absorption is too low due to the lack of air flow.

The soundproofing ability of three-layer versions of multilayer partitions (the most common example is a frame-sheathing plasterboard partition) depends on more factors than the sound insulation of a single-layer partition. Increasing the density of the material of hard layers, increasing the distance between the outer layers (i.e. increasing the overall thickness of the partition) and filling the internal space with layers of a special sound absorber (namely an absorber, not insulation) are the main ways to achieve the necessary sound insulation.

To realize the full potential of multilayer structures, the requirement for layer-by-layer sound transmission through the thickness of the partition must be met. Simply put, ideally, a sound wave should sequentially pass first only through the first hard layer, then only through the soft one, then only through the second hard layer, etc. In practice, the mandatory presence of a supporting frame leads to the fact that sound vibrations of the first rigid layer are transmitted through a common frame (or common foundation) to the last rigid layer and are re-radiated by it into the protected room. Thus, sound energy through the rigid elements of the frame successfully bypasses specially prepared internal sound-absorbing layers-traps, as a result of which the actual sound insulation of multilayer structures is significantly lower than the calculated values.

In the process of considering the sound insulation ability of these types of partitions, the question inevitably arises: which type of partitions has the best sound insulation at the least thickness, weight and cost? The traditional answer is: multilayer frame partitions are preferable as internal enclosing structures. With significantly lower weight (which is very important for reducing loads on floors and foundations) and thickness, they have almost the same (and sometimes higher) airborne noise insulation index (Rw) than single-layer structures.

However, it is important to understand the essence of the airborne noise insulation index. Rw is a certain average value with which you can quickly and fairly objectively compare the sound insulation characteristics of building structures in relation to the insulation of so-called “household noise”, that is, noise such as the sound of a voice, a working TV, the rattling of dishes, the ringing of a telephone or an alarm clock.

With regard to music centers with Mega Bass systems, home theaters equipped with powerful subwoofers, and high-quality music listening systems, the choice of partition design based only on the value of the Rw index does not seem to be entirely correct. As, indeed, the entire system of standardization of sound insulation of building structures, regulating the parameters of their insulation in the frequency range from 100 Hz and above. But today, almost any high-quality sound reproduction system has a frequency range starting from 20-40 Hz.

Figure 1 shows sound insulation graphs for single-layer (unplastered half-brick wall) and multi-layer (gypsum plasterboard partition) structures. In terms of airborne noise insulation indices Rw, the plasterboard partition (Rw = 48 dB) exceeds brick wall(Rw = 45 dB) by 3 dB. At the same time, the thicknesses of the two structures are almost equal: the thickness of a brick wall without plaster is 120 mm, and the thickness plasterboard partition- 125 mm. However, as can be seen from the graphs, at frequencies up to 200 Hz, the sound insulation of a brick wall exceeds the sound insulation of a plasterboard partition. And, in general, this pattern is true for almost all single-layer and multi-layer structures of the same thickness. At the same time, already in the mid-frequency region, the sound insulation of multilayer structures can significantly exceed the insulation of single-layer partitions (it is due to this that the Rw index increases).

Therefore, when choosing the design of internal partitions, it is necessary to clearly understand what types of noise and from what sources these partitions are intended to isolate.

Soundproofing characteristics of partitions

Despite some shortcomings of the airborne noise insulation index Rw, it is certainly a very convenient parameter for quickly comparing the sound insulation of various partition structures with each other and with the standard values ​​of sound insulation of enclosing structures.

On the territory of the Russian Federation, SNiP II-12-77 “Noise Protection” is still in force, and in Moscow, since 1997, supplementary and clarifying MGSN 2.04 - 97 “Permissible levels of noise, vibration and requirements for sound insulation in residential and public buildings” have been in force. . Despite the fact that the MGSN introduced the division of buildings into comfort categories (A, B and C), there were no significant changes with regard to the requirements for sound insulation of walls and partitions. For example, the standard requirement for airborne noise insulation by interior partitions, regardless of the housing class, remained at the level of Rw = 43 dB, as 25 years ago, and the requirement for the airborne noise insulation index of an inter-apartment wall was tightened by only 2 dB, and only in relation to buildings of the category A (highly comfortable conditions). That is, the airborne noise insulation index of an inter-apartment wall in such a building must be at least Rw = 54 dB, against Rw = 52 dB previously required for residential buildings of all types. But the background noise in apartments (not counting powerful sources, such as cinemas or Hi-End) has grown significantly over the past decades, at least in our country. Currently, almost every home and every room has a TV, telephone, radio, and in the kitchen and bathroom there is a washing machine or dishwasher, extractor hood and air conditioning. The home computer also contributes to the overall noise level.

Existing experience allows us to assert that for modern conditions the airborne noise insulation index of the interior partition must be no less than Rw = 52 dB, and that of the inter-apartment wall - no less than Rw = 62 dB. Only with such standard values enclosing structures we can talk about acoustic comfort. However, even a wall with Rw = 62 dB will not completely solve the problem of soundproofing a bedroom if a neighbor decides to watch a new action movie in his cinema. Practice shows that the average sound level when watching a movie in a home theater is LA = 90 dBA. Thus, in the bedroom the noise level will be around LA = 30 dBA. And although this approximately corresponds to the maximum value of night standards for noise levels in residential premises (LAlim = 30 dBA), in order to really be able to talk about a barely audible or completely inaudible sound, the noise level in the room should not be higher than LA = 20 dBA.

It is interesting that noise coming from the street (primarily from vehicles), and significantly (by more than 6 dBA) exceeding the noise from neighbors, causes much less irritation than weaker sounds: music, screams, laughter, etc. This is due to the psychophysiological characteristics of human hearing, and in the struggle for the acoustic comfort of a home, this also has to be taken into account.

What designs of internal partitions with an airborne noise insulation index of at least 50 dB can be proposed? First of all, these are lightweight frame partitions covered with plasterboard (GKL) or gypsum fiber (GVL) sheets. From the point of view of sound insulation, the use of gypsum fiber sheets is preferable. Firstly, they have a higher (almost one and a half times) surface density. Secondly, due to the production technology, this material has higher internal losses, i.e. is less sonorous. However, due to more complex technology finishing The vast majority of builders, unfortunately, prefer the use of gypsum boards.

To obtain high noise insulation, it is necessary to use two independent frames, on each of which external layers of sheathing are mounted. In addition, frame elements connected to side walls and ceilings must be insulated with elastic gaskets to prevent indirect sound transmission.

The overall soundproofing effect also depends on the choice of material for the middle layer. The main criterion for choosing such a material is the value of its dimensionless coefficient NRC (NRC is the frequency-averaged sound absorption coefficient), the values ​​of which can range from 0 to 1. The closer the NRC value is to unity, the higher the sound absorption capacity of the material. For getting maximum effect It is recommended to select materials with an NRC of at least 0.8. For example, a special sound-absorbing material - mineral slab"Shumanet-BM" has a value NRC = 0.9. The thickness of the absorbing layer must be at least 50% of the internal space of the partition and be no thinner than 100 mm (naturally, with a frame thickness of 50-75 mm, only one layer of sound absorber 50 mm thick can be used).

The airborne noise insulation index of a frame-sheathing partition made of two 12 mm gypsum fiber board sheets on each of two independent frames 50 mm thick with an air gap between the frames of 10 mm is about Rw = 53 dB. In this case, the internal space is filled with sound-absorbing wool 100 mm thick and the total thickness of the structure is 160 mm.

Brick partitions made of solid red brick, plastered on both sides, have the following noise insulation index values:

• half-brick wall (thickness with plaster 150 mm) - Rw = 47 dB;
• wall with one brick (thickness with plaster 280 mm) - Rw = 54 dB;
• wall with two bricks (thickness with plaster 530 mm) - Rw = 60 dB.

Thus, to isolate “household” noise, it is more preferable to use a lightweight gypsum fiber board partition 160 mm thick, which has a noise insulation level comparable in magnitude to that of a more massive wall one brick thick (280 mm).

Reasons for reducing the noise insulation characteristics of partitions

There is probably not a single article devoted to the problem of sound insulation of light partitions that talks about the importance of installing elastic gaskets at the junction of frame guide profiles with walls and ceilings. However, in practice it is extremely rare to find builders who would conscientiously carry out such activities. As a rule, the need to install such gaskets is realized after installation and treatment of all surfaces, when it is not possible to change anything.

In addition to deteriorating sound insulation of partitions, the absence of elastic gaskets along the fastening contour leads to increased transmission of indirect noise from other rooms and floors. Even if there are no complaints about sound insulation in relation to the neighboring room, such a partition can present an unpleasant surprise, re-emitting noise, for example, from neighbors above or below.

It is also appropriate to mention here the transmission of indirect noise by single-layer structures. The undisputed leader among partitions with poor sound insulation is a wall made of gypsum blocks with a standard thickness of 80 mm. Not only does its airborne noise insulation index not exceed Rw = 40 dB, which is not enough even according to current standards (Rwnorm = 43 dB); but, among other things, a structure made of this material is an excellent conductor and emitter of structural noise. As an example, we can cite a situation where in one of the rooms of the apartment, from the side of the wall made of plaster blocks, the sound of a neighbor's piano was heard. There was a complete impression that the musician lived in an apartment nearby. Imagine the surprise of those present when it turned out that the piano was located in the neighbors below!

The sound insulation properties of seven-slit and multi-hollow red brick are not highly rated. This is the same case when internal voids make a much more modest contribution to the increase in sound insulation than a decrease in sound insulation due to a decrease in the surface density of such a wall. In addition, partitions made of seven-slit bricks conduct and emit sound perfectly. To reduce the transmission and emission of structural noise by a wall made of this material, it can be recommended to fill the internal cavities of the bricks with sand.

The need to fill the internal space with a sound absorber when installing lightweight partitions and cladding from gypsum plasterboard is, unfortunately, not an obvious fact for some builders. Since the problem of thermal insulation, as a rule, does not arise for internal partitions, very often the only “sound absorber” inside the partition is air. In this case, a significant reduction in the noise insulation of the structure (at its own resonant frequencies) is possible when the partition becomes like a drum. Therefore, filling the internal space with sound-absorbing material is extremely important, and it should be a material with the highest possible sound absorption coefficient (preferably at least NRC = 0.8).

One of the typical reasons for reduced sound insulation of partitions of all types are banal cracks and holes in structures. The presence of a small through crack in the corner of the inter-apartment wall is quite enough to hear the neighbors talking without straining your ears. In order to stop distinguishing words, you just need to seal such a gap well with a solution.

At the same time, I would like to dispel the myth about the good soundproofing properties of polyurethane foam. Due to the convenience of its use, there is a temptation to “foam” an unnecessary hole or formed gap. However, the soundproofing properties of polyurethane foam are very weak, despite its porosity (or rather due to the latter). Therefore, a hole or gap sealed in this way continues to successfully emit sound, albeit with minor losses. To eliminate cracks and holes, it is recommended to use acrylic or silicone sealants, especially since the latter have good elasticity - an important feature of the material for sealing all kinds of cracks.

It should be borne in mind that two layers of sheathing material provide greater tightness of the frame-sheathing partition than one layer of double thickness. In this case, gypsum fiber board or gypsum board sheets are mounted so that the seams of the first and second layers do not coincide (overlap).

Increasing sound insulation of existing partitions

In the case of insufficient sound insulation of a frame-sheathing partition made of gypsum plasterboard, first of all, it is necessary to consider the above “typical” reasons and eliminate them. If this is impossible to do for some reason, the only correct solution is to install additional frame cladding or use ready-made ZIPS additional sound insulation panels.

In order to increase the sound insulation of a light partition by DRw = 10 dB, it is necessary to install an additional frame partition parallel to it. Gypsum fiber sheets 12 mm thick are mounted in two layers on the side of the protected room on a frame made of U-shaped metal profiles 100 mm wide. The internal space is filled with two layers of sound-absorbing wool Shumanet-BM, each 50 mm thick. In this case, the guide profile is mounted only to the floor, ceiling and side walls through the elastic Vibrosil gasket with an indentation from existing wall about 10 mm to avoid contact of frame elements (rack profiles) with it. The total thickness of the additional soundproofing structure is approximately 135 mm.

The same ΔRw = 10 dB can be obtained by installing 50 mm thick ZIPS additional sound insulation panels on the protected wall. The ZIPS panel is a ready-to-use sandwich panel (multilayer construction), where noise-insulating (gypsum fiber board sheets) and sound-absorbing (ultra-thin fiberglass) layers alternate. The thickness of the soundproofing panel and the number of layers can vary depending on the requirements of a specific acoustic task (from 40 to 130 mm). The only condition for the applicability of ZIPS panels in this case is sufficient load bearing capacity the original partition.

One of the main advantages of ZIPS panels is the elimination of indirect sound transmission paths to the panel, and thereby increasing its additional sound insulation. It is extremely rare that situations arise when only one wall common to two rooms emits noise. As a rule, noise is also re-emitted by all side walls, floors and ceilings. Of course, the sound intensity on them may be somewhat less, however, it is to them that the guide profiles of the additional frame partition made of gypsum fiber board are mounted (even if through an elastic gasket). ZIPS panels do not have rigid connections along the contour, so they are effective not only in relation to noise passing through the wall on which they are fixed, but also noise transmitted from side walls and ceilings.

If it is necessary to increase the sound insulation of a single-layer partition (brick wall, etc.), ZIPS panels are also one of the most effective means of additional insulation. The combination of a massive single-layer wall and lightweight multi-layer cladding also makes it possible to solve the problem of noise insulation from sound sources with powerful low-frequency components. In this case, the brick wall determines the level of noise insulation at low frequencies, where only the mass of the obstacle is decisive, and at medium and high frequencies the ZIPS additional insulation panel comes into play.

All of the above is also true for additional frame cladding, but its effectiveness, other things being equal, turns out to be significantly lower due to the listed disadvantages.

The negative impact of extraneous sounds on the human condition has long been proven. In this regard, many special rules have been developed to determine the permissible values ​​of “sound garbage”.

For example, due to background noise reaching 40 dBA, a person will begin to have problems sleeping, and with systematic noise above 60 dBA, structural changes in the body will occur in 90 cases out of 100. To minimize or completely eliminate the risk of such situations, insulating materials are used.

Types of soundproofing materials

We should start with the fact that noise is divided into separate groups:

1. Structural – caused by vibration due to the operation of various equipment (from household equipment in the house to construction equipment on the street), vehicles, elevators, etc.
2. Percussion - can be caused by stomping, moving interior items.
3. Airborne – conversations, television and radio sounds.

In building acoustics, there are three main types of sound protection from the noise discussed above:

Soundproofing

Provides protection from noise transmitted through the air (human speech, music, etc.). It works according to one of two principles: reducing the intensity of sound waves as they pass through a dense partition or sound reflection from an obstacle.

Noise insulation

This involves protection from complex sound waves caused by a combination of sounds of different strengths and frequencies. This can be structural, airborne, impact, etc. noise.

Sound absorption

Relevant for soft structures, uses the method of converting sound energy into thermal energy.

In order to correctly select the appropriate soundproofing material, you should take into account what types of noise the protective barrier is “constructed” against.

Let's do a little comparative study products from famous manufacturers, recommended for residential premises (the group under consideration included only noise insulators effective in the range of 100-3000 Hz).

Review of sound-absorbing and sound-insulating materials

Membrane sound insulators are applicable to any surface, have elasticity, small thickness and increased efficiency in noise absorption. The most popular brands in Russia are Tecsound and Zvukoizol.

Tecsound

This company is a subsidiary of the Spanish company Texsa, which appeared back in 1954. Under the Texound brand, polymer-mineral membranes are produced - elastic, thin, and available in the form of rolls.

The basis of the material is aragonite with the addition of elastomers. It is relevant in frame and frameless systems and can increase the sound insulation properties of a structure by 15 dB.

Such indicators can be compared to a thirty-centimeter concrete wall. Tecsound price – from 850 rub. per square.

Five main series of membranes are produced:

1. Tecsound Al – self-adhesive, equipped with aluminum foil.
2. Tecsound SY – synthetic self-adhesive, suitable for partitions, ceilings, facades.
3. Tecsound 35/50/70 – standard, used for sound insulation of floors and roofs.
4. Tecsound FT – synthetic foil universal, with felt coating.
5. Tecsound 100 – sheet.

Advantages include stretchability, environmental safety, temperature resistance and durability.

Soundproofing

Membrane soundproofing materials based on bitumen-polymer components, produced in Russia, appeared back in 2009. At first, only two series were produced - Zvukoizol and Zvukoizol VEM, intended for the construction sector.

Already in next year the range of products has expanded significantly due to the production of several more series, which have become a good alternative to foreign analogues K-Fonik ST and Tecsound. This:

1. Sound insulation VEM Standard - viscoelastic insulating material,
2. SMK – self-adhesive base,
3. Zvukoizol-M – roll bitumen-polymer membrane sound insulators with a metallized coating.

The price of domestic sound insulators is more than affordable - from 140 rubles. per square. They are characterized by many positive qualities, including versatility, good sound-absorbing properties, and water resistance.

Soundproofing panels, consisting of several layers, quickly became popular for their relative ease of installation and effectiveness. Among them, ZIPS and SoundGuard can be especially highlighted.

ZIPS

ZIPS sandwich panels, depending on the base, have different purposes. They are made from plywood (GVL) or tongue-and-groove gypsum boards combined with fiberglass or basalt slabs.

Construction based on gypsum fiber/plywood is applicable for floors, plasterboard - for ceiling and wall surfaces.

The Zips frameless system was first developed in 1999; now it includes six types of panels for different purposes:

1. ZIPS-MODULE wall for interior walls and partitions in commercial and residential premises. Index Rw – up to 14 dB.
2. ZIPS-FLOOR MODULE – prefabricated panels for reinforced concrete interfloor floors. They isolate airborne noise in the range from 7 to 9 decibels and shock noise up to 38 dB.
3. ZIPS-Vector for wall and ceiling bases, operating range up to 125 Hz, Rw index up to 11 dB.
4. ZIPS-Paul Vector - provide comprehensive sound insulation of reinforced concrete interfloor ceilings, reduce airborne noise in the range from 6 to 8 dB, impact noise - by 32.
5. ZIPS-SINEMA – additional protection with an Rw index of 16-18 dB. It is used for ceilings and walls in rooms with a high degree of outgoing sound.
6. ZIPS-III-ULTRA – additional protection of ceiling and wall surfaces from airborne noise. Operating range 100 Hz, Rw – 11 dB.

The price of ZIPS panels starts from 1,600 rubles, but this cost is fully justified by their efficiency, low degree of thermal conductivity (that is, the panels also partially serve as a heat insulator), and durability (from 10 years).

SoundGuard

Saungard panels are the “brainchild” of a German-Russian enterprise, which appeared back in 2010 on shares with the Volma company and are characterized by increased efficiency. The panel includes:

• GKL Volma for finishing cladding,
• SoundGuard profiled panel (multi-layer board made of corrugated cardboard, cardboard and mineral quartz filler),
• Frame profile.

Two years later, the SoundGuard TM was registered, after which the production of different types of soundproofing panels began:

1. SoundGuard Ecozvukoizol is a 13 mm soundproofing elastic panel consisting of seven layers with an Rw of 40 decibels.
2. SoundGuard EcoZvukoIzol Fireproof G1, with a thickness of 13 mm and a sound insulation index of up to 42 dB.
3. SoundGuard Slim, 11 mm, seven layers, reducing noise by 36 dB.
4. SoundGuard Standard, 12 mm thick, is characterized by compressive strength and an Rw index of 37 dB.
5. SoundGuardPremium, Rw equal to 44 dB, patented soundproofing material for shades, floors, partitions.

SignGard panels are certified according to all Russian standards, fireproof, easy to install, have low thermal conductivity, price from 810 rubles/sq.m. m.

Mineral wool soundproofing materials also do not lose their popularity, especially in combination with innovative developments. The brands Shumanet and Rock Wool Acoustic Butts have advanced the most in the production of sound protection based on mineral wool.

Schumanet

Shumanet mineral wool boards are produced by the same manufacturer as the ZIPS, Shumostop, Soundlux, Soundline, Vibrosil, Vibroflex panels, namely Acoustic Group LLC.

The Schumanet series of soundproofing materials has been developed directly for frame wall and ceiling systems using various types of cladding - gypsum fiber, plasterboard, wood chips, plywood. The series includes:

1. Shumanet-SK are fiberglass plates, covered on one side with fiberglass, which prevents the glass fibers from falling off. Relevant when installing acoustic panels such as Knauf-Soundline, Soundboard, etc., they have a sound absorption value of about 0.8 units.
2. Shumanet-Eco - water-repellent boards based on staple fiberglass and acrylic binder. Sound absorption coefficient – ​​0.85 units.
3. Shumanet-BM - basalt slabs with a high sound absorption rate - 0.95 units.

To isolate impact noise in floor structures, a system of combined slabs called Shumostop and bitumen-polymer gaskets Schumanet-100 is produced.

The average price of Schumanet slabs is from 190 rubles per square. They are distinguished by their durability (working life from 10 years), ease of installation, meet the requirements of GOST, and are certified according to the standards of the Russian Federation.

RockWool Acoustic Butts

Multifunctional basalt slabs are produced at almost 30 factories; this is the development of a transnational group of companies that opened its first branch in Russia back in 1999.

Rockwool Acoustic Butts stone wool slabs are practically universal, applicable in interior, exterior and roof cladding in residential and industrial construction.

Several main series can be distinguished mineral wool slabs Acoustic:

1. RockWool Floor Butts are rigid, vapor-permeable boards for floor structures with expectedly high loads.
2. RockWool Floor Butts are water-repellent (hydrophobic) for public, commercial and residential premises.
3. RockWool Floor Butts I - gabbro-basalt slab materials for industrial premises.
4. Rockwool Acoustic Butts Pro - ultra-thin slabs.
5. Acoustic Butts standard type.

Rockwool Acoustic Butts products have a lot of advantages, and the price of the slabs is quite affordable - from 120 rubles per square meter.