If you are wanting to build a media or theater room, it’s important to consider how you’ll use the system. Will enjoying the system at louder volumes result in an inconvenience to others in your home or perhaps neighbors if you share walls? Then, you should consider sound proofing.
But before you do, there are a couple of considerations, and we address them below:
1. Sound proofing is a new construction/remodel only option. The methods used will highly modify the walls and floor. If you didn’t plan on a remodel, think again. That said, new construction is the most optimal environment and allows for maximum results per dollar.
2. Sound proof drywall exists, but it is not the best option. There are a couple of different sound proofing drywalls that can be installed in leu of traditional drywall. The reality is that two sheets of drywall is about just as effective and that’s not much to brag about. There are far better ways.
3. High mass vinyl is the single most effective way to sound proof a wall or floor. High mass vinyl is applied below the drywall directly to the studs and offers the best sound proofing properties. Acoustiblok is our preferred material and it is has some additional special properties. It works by actually taking the sound waves and turning them from sound energy to heat energy. It’s cool stuff for sure.
4. Both sides of an interior wall should be covered for max effectiveness. If you are covering an interior wall, it’s ideal to cover both sides of the wall with Acoustiblok. This helps to ensure that any sound that radiates through the first layer is stopped by the second.
5. Insulation in the walls like R13 insulation is a great addition to any sound proofing project. It can be inserted between the Acoustiblok layers and helps to dampen alternate frequencies and adds even more mass for the sound to penetrate. We can also install Acoustiblok insulation that has even more sound proofing properties, but it’s not a big difference over the regular stuff and depending on who’s installing, the R13 insulation can save you some money.
6. If you are sound proofing a second story room, don’t forget about the floor. The floor basically becomes another wall in this environment and should most definitely be sound proofed. Other advantages include reduced sound transfer of walking for those below. Some have put Acoustiblok on second floor floors just for this reason as it can help to ensure that those below aren’t annoyed or awakened by high heals walking above.
7. Low frequencies like those that come from subwoofers are a challenge regardless of the techniques used. The low frequencies can easily penetrate even the most effective sound proofing materials. That said, when it comes to these low frequencies, it’s all about relative sound reduction, which brings us to our last point.
8. Sound proofing is a misleading name. It should be called sound emission reduction. In the end, there is no way to truly “sound proof,” only methods to reduce the total amount of sound that will escape a room. If you blare the speakers, the sound will still escape but compared to a normal room, the volume level outside of the room will be far below an obtrusive level.
If you’re in need of any sound proofing services, trust no one but the pros at Gamma Tech Services. We are Naples’ go to technology pros including installation of sound proofing materials. Give us a call today!