While 1/2″ drywall is cost-effective, it often leads to marginalized sound attenuation in homes. Fiberglass batting and mineral may yield minimal increases, but they are primarily designed for thermal insulation, and do not have stand-alone STC ratings. For cost-effective soundproofing at home, soundproofing membranes and panels can offer a solution that meets your clients’ needs without exceeding their budget.
Listen below to the difference between walls with STCs from 30-50 for some of the most common residential construction assemblies. For sensitive areas such as Master Bedrooms, Bathrooms, In-Home Studios, and Home Offices consider adding soundproofing layers to further increase attenuation and prevent long-term noise annoyances.
HINT: Stand a few feet back or take a few steps to approximate real-world conditions.
STC Ratings of Walls
1. Music Coming from Next Bedroom (STC=0) – Played at a standard volume of approximately 75 dBA
2. 1/2″ Drywall Each Side (ES) (STC=30)
3. 1/2″ Drywall Each Side (ES) with R13 Fiberglass Batting (STC=32) – Acceptable in Many Non-Sensitive Areas of the Home
4. 1/2″ Drywall ES with Mineral Wool (STC=34) – Rarely Acceptable in Custom or Luxury Homes with Sensitive Areas
5. 1/2″ Drywall ES with Wall Blokker Membrane Vinyl Barrier (STC=37) – Sometimes Acceptable with Sufficient Background Ambient Noise in Receiving Room
6. 1/2″ Drywall ES with Wall Blokker PRO Sound Barrier Membrane (STC=41) – Generally Acceptable
7. 1/2″ Drywall ES with Wall Blokker PRO Membrane ES (STC=46) – Very Little Sound is Audible
8. 7. 1/2″ Drywall ES with Wall Blokker PRO Membrane ES + R13 Fiberglass Batting (STC=48) – Ideal Construction for Luxury Homes in Master Bedrooms, Media Rooms, and Offices
Improve the STC of Your Walls
To improve the STC of a partition, consider spacing the studs further apart, using metal studs instead of wood, and ultimateiy, installing a soundproofing membrane designed to improve wall sound transmission.
LINK: Determine your Target STC Rating
RELATED: Learn How to Soundproof a Wall for STC Ratings
