Facts About Soundproofing Every Homeowner Should Know

Tanya Ilieva - Last Update: September 12, 2024

📖 Reading time: 7 min and 35 sec

Soundproofing your home isn't just about adding insulation or blocking noise; it's about understanding how sound behaves and how you can control it to create a peaceful living environment.

Whether it's the constant building buzz, the loud elevator's work, the footsteps from the floor above, or the chatter of neighbours, unwanted noise can significantly impact your comfort and well-being.

Here are 20 scientifically proven facts about soundproofing that every homeowner should know, complete with data and statistics to help you make informed decisions.

#1 Sound Travels in Waves Through Different Mediums

Sound reproduces as mechanical waves through air, solids, and liquids. In solids, sound waves travel faster due to the closer proximity of molecules. For instance, sound travels at approximately 343 meters per second in air but can travel over 5,000 meters per second in steel. This means noise can easily pass through walls, floors, and ceilings, making soundproofing a multi-dimensional challenge.

Adding dense materials can significantly reduce sound transmission through walls and floors by adding mass, which restricts sound waves.

#2 Common Household Noises Can Reach Surprising Decibel Levels

Understanding decibel (dB) levels can help you assess the severity of noise problems. Normal conversation measures about 60 dB, while household appliances such as dishwashers and vacuums can range from 70-80 dB. Even the footsteps from an upstairs room can reach 30-40 dB. Sound insulation can lower these levels, bringing peace to your home. For example, adding insulation to walls can reduce airborne noise by 15-30 dB.

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#3 Structure-Borne Noise Is More Disruptive Than Airborne Noise

Airborne noise, such as the sound of voices or music, travels through the air and is transmitted directly to our ears. In contrast, structure-borne noise, like the impact of footsteps or door slams, travels through building structures, vibrating through walls, floors, and ceilings before reaching our ears.

Studies suggest that structure-borne noise can be more disruptive because it often produces lower-frequency sounds, which are not only harder to block but also more deeply felt by our bodies.

Our brains perceive these low frequencies differently, as they often evoke a sense of vibration or rumbling rather than a sharp sound. Low-frequency noise tends to linger, making it harder for the brain to "tune out" or ignore. This can cause heightened stress or distraction, especially during tasks requiring focus or relaxation, as our auditory system struggles to process these persistent, deep sounds.

#4 Human Hearing Is Most Sensitive Between 2,000 and 5,000 Hz

The range of frequencies that humans can hear spans from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, with the most sensitivity occurring between 2,000 and 5,000 Hz. This means that we are best able to perceive sounds within this range.

High-frequency sounds are more effectively reduced by soundproofing materials, while low-frequency sounds, such as bass, necessitate more robust barriers for effective blocking.

#5 Sound Transmission Class (STC) Is a Key Factor in Soundproofing

STC is a rating system that measures how well a building partition decreases airborne sound. A standard interior wall with drywall on both sides has an STC rating of about 33, which means loud speech can be heard and understood. Increasing the STC rating to 45 can make loud speech barely audible.

Adding an extra layer of drywall with damping compounds can increase a wall's STC rating by up to 10 points, significantly reducing noise transmission.

#6 Sound Leaks Through Electrical Outlets and Switches

Even small gaps in walls, such as those around electrical outlets, light switches, or cable openings, can act as pathways for noise to travel through. These gaps may seem insignificant, but they can let substantial amounts of airborne noise slip into neighbouring rooms, sabotaging the effectiveness of soundproofing efforts.

Sealing these gaps can significantly reduce noise transmission by creating a tighter barrier. In fact, addressing these minor leaks can improve overall soundproofing effectiveness by as much as 10-15%, as soundproofing is only as strong as its weakest point.

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#7 Bass Frequencies Travel Farther and Are Harder to Block

Low-frequency sounds, like the deep bass emitted by a subwoofer, pose a significant challenge for sound control due to their long wavelengths, which allow them to penetrate walls more easily than higher frequency sounds.

To address this issue, it is essential to employ effective measures such as the strategic placement of bass traps and the use of thick insulation within walls to absorb these low frequencies. Well-placed bass traps can contribute to a substantial reduction in low-frequency noise, with potential decreases ranging from 30% to 50%.

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#8 Sound Travels Faster in Hotter Temperatures

In warmer air, sound travels faster due to the increased speed of air molecules. This phenomenon becomes particularly noticeable during hot summer months, as outdoor sounds may appear louder, contributing to increased noise pollution.

To address this, implementing additional solutions such as installing acoustic panels or using dense window treatments can effectively mitigate the impacts of increased sound transmission in warmer air.

#9 Poor Soundproofing Can Lead to Stress and Fatigue

Excessive noise isn't just a minor annoyance; it can have profound effects on physical and mental health. Research has consistently shown that chronic exposure to high noise levels—whether from neighbours, traffic, or household appliances—can lead to elevated stress, anxiety, and even long-term health issues like hypertension and cardiovascular problems. Sleep disruption, often caused by noise levels exceeding 40-45 dB, is particularly harmful, leading to fatigue, irritability, and decreased cognitive function.

Effective soundproofing in key areas like bedrooms and living spaces can dramatically improve overall well-being. Reducing noise levels to around 30-40 dB—considered optimal for a restful environment—can significantly lower stress and promote better sleep quality.

#10 Reverberation Time Affects Room Acoustics and Speech Clarity

The reverberation time refers to the length of time it takes for a sound to decrease in level by 60 decibels in an enclosed space. High reverberation times can lead to undesired echoes and decreased speech intelligibility. One effective way to mitigate this issue is by incorporating sound-absorbing materials into the space, which can help reduce the reverberation time, resulting in an overall improvement in the acoustics of the room.

Acoustic panels are known to effectively decrease reverberation time, potentially reducing it by up to 50%. This reduction can significantly enhance the clarity of sound, making it an attractive solution for improving acoustics in various spaces such as home theaters and offices.

#11 Soft Furnishings Absorb Sound

Soft materials such as curtains, rugs, and upholstered furniture play a significant role in reducing noise levels within a room by absorbing sound waves. They effectively minimise sound reflections, resulting in a quieter and more comfortable environment.

Thick curtains have the potential to reduce noise by up to 7 decibels, making them a valuable addition to any space where noise reduction is desired. By incorporating heavy drapes and plush rugs into your decor, you can naturally dampen sound, creating a more acoustically pleasing atmosphere.

#12 Plants Can Reduce Noise Levels

Research has shown that indoor plants can absorb, diffract, and reflect sound waves, reducing noise levels. While the effect is modest (usually around 2-5 dB reduction), plants can contribute to a quieter environment.

Positioning plants in areas where sound reflections occur can enhance their noise-reducing effects.

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#13 Soundproofing Floors is Crucial, Especially in Multi-Level Homes

Impact noise from upper levels can be a significant disturbance. Using materials like dense underlayments and floating floors can reduce impact noise transmission by up to 75%.

A floating floor system decouples the flooring from the subfloor, significantly reducing sound transmission between levels.

#14 Doors are Weak Points in Soundproofing

Hollow-core doors offer little resistance to sound, with an STC rating of around 20. Replacing them with solid-core doors can improve the STC rating to 30-35.

Installing door sweeps and acoustic seals can prevent sound from leaking through gaps, reducing noise transmission by up to 10 dB.

#15 The Ceiling Can Transmit Sound

Ceilings have the potential to allow sound to pass through and between floors. One effective way to address this issue is either soundproofing the floor above or installing ceiling soundproofing solution like C-MUTE System.

To double the effect of soundproofing, you can add acoustic panels on the ceiling. They serve as an additional barrier and are specifically designed to absorb sound, making them particularly effective in rooms with high ceilings. By utilising acoustic hanging baffles in your space, you can significantly enhance sound control and create a more pleasant and peaceful environment.

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#16 White Noise Machines Only Mask Unwanted Sounds

White noise machines are not a soundproofing method; instead, they work by producing a consistent ambient noise that can effectively mask disruptive sounds.

Research studies have demonstrated that these machines have the potential to improve sleep quality in noisy environments by as much as 38%. However, don't rely on this as a permanent soundproofing solution.

#17 Double Stud Walls Enhance Sound Isolation

Double stud walls are one of the most effective methods for reducing sound transmission in residential and commercial buildings. By constructing two separate sets of wall studs with a gap in between, sound waves are significantly impeded as they attempt to travel through the structure.

This physical separation prevents sound vibrations from easily transferring between the inner and outer walls, effectively creating a buffer zone. The air gap between the walls, along with insulation materials helps absorb both airborne and structure-borne noise, dramatically improving sound isolation.

This method can achieve impressive Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings of 60 or higher, where loud speech and most household noises are not just muffled but rendered completely inaudible.

For comparison, a typical wall with a standard STC rating of 33 allows loud speech to be easily heard and understood, whereas a double stud wall reduces such sound to a whisper—or eliminates it entirely. Additionally, this construction technique is commonly used in home theatres, recording studios, and multi-family homes where enhanced privacy and noise reduction are paramount.

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#18 Cork is an Outdated Sound Absorber

While cork was once a popular choice for soundproofing due to its natural composition and unique cellular structure, it has become outdated compared to modern sound-absorbing materials.

Over time, cork's elasticity deteriorates, leading to reduced effectiveness in dampening sound. In fact, its ability to absorb noise diminishes significantly, leaving you with a thick, ineffective layer on your walls, floors, or ceilings.

Although cork can initially reduce noise by up to 10 decibels, modern materials offer far superior and longer-lasting soundproofing performance without the risk of degrading over time.

#19 Mass Matters for Soundproofing

The heavier and denser a material is, the more effective it is at blocking sound. This principle is known as the "mass law" of soundproofing, which states that doubling the mass of a barrier can improve its soundproofing effectiveness by up to 6 decibels.

Dense materials are commonly used to block both airborne and structure-borne noise. In residential soundproofing, adding heavier layers, such as double layers of drywall or using heavy acoustic panels, can significantly reduce noise transmission, especially for low-frequency sounds like bass.

#20 Room Size and Shape Play a Crucial Role in Acoustics

Sound behaves differently depending on the size and shape of the room. If possible, avoid perfectly rectangular and square shapes, as well as straight lines of walls, ceilings, and floors, if you construct your space.

Large, open spaces allow sound to bounce around more, creating echo and reverberation. Installing acoustic panels on walls and ceilings in larger rooms can help reduce these reflections, improving overall sound quality. For smaller rooms, fewer panels may be needed, but strategic placement is essential.

Remember, soundproofing is not just about blocking noise; it's about enhancing your quality of life, and it usually involves good acoustics too.

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