Partitions.
The requirements for partitions are not very high, so most of those being built fully comply with them. So, for example, a partition built of brick with a thickness of 12 cm or a frame (made of steel or wooden profiles and filled with mineral wool) with a thickness of 12.5 cm has sound insulation indicators above the established norm. Partitions separating sanitary facilities should have increased soundproofing characteristics, but these requirements, unfortunately, are not always taken into account. As a rule, all internal partitions are erected of the same thickness.
According to the established norms, internal partitions in a private house must meet the following requirements:
solid partition without doors – at least 41 dB,
separating sanitary premises from residential – at least 45 dB. These requirements are met by a wall constructed of 17.5 cm (41 dB) cellular concrete blocks, 18.8 cm (43 dB) of ceramic hollow blocks or a 12.5 cm (45 dB) light frame wall.
Overlappings.
Often, noise can propagate through ceilings that have insufficient sound insulation. The soundproofing characteristics of floors are more dependent on the material and their design. An overlap is considered good, which is able to dampen impact noise.
According to the established sound insulation standards for detached private houses, they must have a reduced impact noise level of not more than 67 dB, as well as a sound insulation level from airborne noise of 50 dB. If the premises are interconnected through an internal staircase, then the requirements regarding sound insulation from airborne noise in this case are not imposed.
In most cases, there is no sound insulation in the ceilings at all, so we can hear rustles, steps and bumps perfectly. This noise can be reduced by laying a layer of heat-insulating material on the floor, which at the same time is an excellent sound insulation. It is necessary to use an insulating material that has sufficient elasticity and compressive strength. In addition, it is possible to increase the sound insulation of floors using the so-called floating floor, in which its design is not rigidly connected to other structural elements of the house.
Reinforced concrete floor slabs.
The most common in private construction are reinforced concrete floor slabs. When performing soundproofing measures on reinforced concrete floors, it is necessary to apply soundproofing according to the principle of a floating floor, since it is the most effective for this type of floors. When using an elastic soundproofing material, it must be placed between the floor slab and the floor structure, which excludes the transmission of various sounds from the floor surface to the load-bearing elements of the building, and it is quiet in neighboring rooms.
This sound insulation is recommended to be made of low-density fibreboard or modern polymer elastic materials, usually at least 2.5 cm thick. Interior details and acoustic comfort. Any household appliances installed in the room create noise. We are accustomed to many noises and consider them quite natural, such as the noise from the refrigerator, fan, washing machine or dishwasher. The noise level from these devices can be significantly reduced by a properly executed layout of the room, the use of sound-absorbing finishing materials, as well as furniture and various interior items. So, for example, books, carpets, tapestries, heavy curtains, upholstered furniture have a strong noise-absorbing effect.
In some cases, various screen partitions are used to effectively combat noise, separating rooms or separating a zone with a high noise level, for example, in a large kitchen-studio, you can use a decorative partition to separate the installation site of the refrigerator, washing machine and dishwasher. For effective soundproofing of the bedroom from the noise of external rooms, it is recommended to install a sliding wardrobe on the entire wall, from the side of the greatest source of noise. Noise protection of engineering systems. A large source of noise in apartments and private houses can be water and sewer pipes, as well as other engineering systems.
To protect against noise from water pipes mounted directly on the walls, it is recommended to use special boxes made of plasterboard boards, which will reduce the noise from the water flowing in the pipes. Annoying trumpet sounds associated with improper pipe installation (hydrobang) can be dampened slightly by using felt or rubber pads to prevent transmission of the blow from the pipe to the wall. It is recommended that the points of contact of engineering communications with the wall be sealed not with a hard solution, but with mineral wool or elastic mastic. All noisy appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators or freezers, should be placed on anti-vibration pads or rubber mats.
The recuperator, hydrophone and power unit of the central vacuum cleaner of the house cleaning system are recommended to be located in a special room with good sound insulation of walls, ceilings and entrance doors. It is necessary to choose a room away from bedrooms, children’s rooms and other rooms intended for relaxation. If forced ventilation is installed in the house, pay special attention to the connection points between the fan and the blowers, which must be made exclusively with the help of elastic elements (gaskets). In addition, it must be remembered that with a very large air flow, a continuous sound of the operating ventilation system can be heard, to prevent which it is necessary to provide for the installation of special noise-damping elements in the ventilation duct.
If ventilation is carried out naturally, then it is necessary to additionally soundproof the ventilation duct with a special material that dampens noise from outside the room. External protection. In no case should you forget about external noise protection. So, the sounds that come from the street or from neighbors can disturb and annoy you.
They completely destroy the harmony of silence in the garden or on the terrace, you constantly feel like a hostage to the external noisy environment. For effective external protection against noise, you can use shutters or roller shutters on the windows, tightly closing the window openings and reliably protecting them from noise. In a yard with blocked buildings and a small width of the site, it is recommended to install decorative noise protection shields, as well as plant lush greenery, which will contribute to effective sound damping. In addition, you can build a waterfall or fountain in the garden, the noise of which soothes and “clogs” external extraneous annoying sounds.
In order to get maximum protection from noise, you need to follow all our advice, do not neglect anything, because only the whole range of soundproofing measures will help you get the maximum effect and give peace and comfort to your home.