From luxury suites to affordable complexes, one of the main factors to consider when building apartment homes is sound. Living wall-to-wall with your neighbors can make for plenty of noise disturbances so it comes as no surprise that a quiet and private living space is of value to most apartment dwellers, and they’re willing to pay for it. Yet many apartment buildings overlook this fact when designing their buildings and end up with dissatisfied tenants upset about excessive noise seeping in from neighboring apartments.
If soundproofing is considered during development these issues can be avoided, making the building a more compelling living space for potential renters.
There are many ways for developers to include soundproofing in the design of their apartment complexes. Below are 4 ways to protect an apartment from noise disturbances during the building process.
Apartment Soundproofing – Best Ways to Improve STC in Apartment Walls
Sound Insulation
Installing insulation is already a necessary aspect of building a living space, so why not use it to combat noise disturbances? This high-quality insulation is designed specifically with soundproofing in mind and can be used in both interior and exterior walls, ceilings, and attics. By replacing typical insulation with this soundproofing version, the building will become a much more desirable living location.
Sound Membranes
Another soundproofing option is to install a sound barrier below the surface of an exposed wall or ceiling during construction. High-quality noise barriers are able to reduce noise by up to 75%, keeping tenants from hearing their neighbors and their neighbors from hearing them. It also helps protect against unwanted moisture and improves HVAC efficiency, making it an extremely useful addition to any apartment building construction project.
On metal stud walls, there are economical sound membranes that can be used to achieve STC 50 to STC 55 with a single stud wall. Review stud spacing and gauge prior to submitting final STC documentation to ensure adequate sound transmission ratings are achieved.
Sound Dampening
One of the most common noise complaints from apartment home tenants involves their upstairs neighbors’ every movement. To stop this issue in its tracks, consider sound dampening during initial construction. The Floor Blokker can be placed onto bare floor surfaces and then covered with carpeting, reducing ceiling noise flow between apartments.
Decoupling
To greatly reduce sound in high-cost environments like luxury apartment complexes, decoupling is an option to consider. This system can be used to reduce noise and vibrations carried from one apartment to the next via walls or ceiling.
If precautions are taken early on, soundproofing can be seamlessly woven into the construction process. The reduced noise disturbances and increased privacy will not go unnoticed by tenants.
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