Soundproofing interior partitions in an apartment: how to do it

Sound insulation of partition can be done both with the construction of a frame, andto and without preparatory work. The second option is simpler, but not as effective and, moreover, is only suitable for smooth walls. If the surface has noticeable defects, first a frame of metal profiles is installed and only then sound insulation is laid, and at the last stage the finishing is performed. Step-by-step instructions for each method are presented in this article.

Frameless technology

Soundproofing partitions can be installed without preliminary installation of the frame, which is very convenient both in terms of work and budget. But it is only possible to implement such a technology when the walls are smooth, for example, after renovation or in a new building.

Moreover, soundproofing interior partitions without a frame allows you to get rid of only airborne noise. This is the name given to sounds that travel through the air, i.e. baby crying, loud conversation, music. If there are vibrations in the building structures, soundproofing the partitions requires the installation of a frame, and protection will be needed not only for the walls, but also for the floor and ceiling.

For the work you will need the following materials:

• panels of soundproofing material;
• damper fabric;
• special sealant (acoustic);
• ordinary construction sealant;
• construction tape;
• special dowels (also acoustic).

Soundproofing partitions without building a frame goes quite quickly, the main stages are as follows:

1. A little glue or a conventional sealant is applied to the surface of the wall.
2. Attach the panels to the wall, fix them to the interlayermpfer and tighten the acoustic dowels. Holes are pre-drilled for them.
3. For sound insulation of interior partitions to be effective, the caps should be recessed and insulated from contact with the cladding material (plasterboard). This can be done using acoustic sealant.
4. The soundproofing partition is in contact with the adjacent fragment, so a small seam is formed. To keep noise out, you must also fill it with acoustic sealant using a mounting gun. Moreover, it is advisable to do this at least 24 hours after completion of installation work. Construction tape is fixed over the joints.

Frame technology

Soundproofing of interior walls is more effective if you use frame technology. It allows you to protect yourself not only from airborne noise, but also from impact noise. For example, if someone touches a wall or plays music whose vibration is disturbing, these sounds can be significantly attenuated.

In addition, the frame is installed for other reasons. If the walls are uneven or old, you will have to build a structure, because otherwise the fragments of the canvas will lie unevenly. For the work you will need the following materials:

• acoustic sealant;
• damper fabric;
• construction tape;
• acoustic dowels;
• profiles (guides, ceiling);
• soundproofing partitions in the apartment (canvas for sound insulation);
• vibration decoupling washers 10*19;
• construction sealant;
• fasteners;
• vibration damping tape.

To install soundproof partitions, you need to proceed as follows:

1. Measurements are taken and damper tape is glued to the metal profile. Metal profiles of the guide type are attached to the surface of the floor and ceiling along the wall.
2. In order for the soundproofing partitions in the apartment to work as efficiently as possible, vibration decoupling washers should also be installed every 6 cm. They are mounted at the mounting points of the guides, reinforcing the structure, as shown in the figure. Moreover, holes are drilled in the profile for dowels-nails with a diameter of 10 mm.
3. The side walls of the guide profiles and the ends of the ceiling profiles are also glued using damper tape.
4. The profiles are also mounted on the ceiling, installing them at equal intervals from 40 to 60 cm. They are fixed to the wall using wall fastenings, maintaining a vertical interval of 60 cm. Next, sound insulation of the internal walls is laid into the formed cavities of the frame.
5. Now you need to take GM 3.5*30 self-tapping screws and cover the frame with panels for sound insulation, for example, with quartz filler. Lay them in at least 2 rows. Moreover, the canvas of the second row should overlap the joints of the canvases of the previous row, like brickwork.
6. The caps of the screws are slightly recessed and isolated from the external environment, treated with an acoustic sealant composition.
7. In order for soundproofed partitions to reliably protect against extraneous sounds, it is important to treat the seams. This can be done with either acoustic or conventional sealant. The joints are covered with construction tape
8. Now you can begin the finishing cladding, which is performed in 2 layers, and in both cases you can use the same material, for example, plasterboard.The sheets of the first row are fastened with GM 3.5*35 self-tapping screws directly onto the metal frame profile and reinforced with sealant.
9. The second row of sheets is fixed using ordinary 5*45 universal screws, and sealant is again used for reinforcement. Moreover, it is important that during screwing the fastening element does not fall into the frame itself.

The construction of the frame will cost more in price, although the result is of better quality. Thus, you can choose the appropriate method yourself. If the noise is not very loud, there is no vibration, and the walls are smooth, it is easier to implement frameless technology. But for greater efficiency, it is recommended to first make a metal frame, and only then proceed with sound insulation.