How to Soundproof a Wall with DECIBOARD

📖 Reading time: 7 min and 9 sec

Tired of hearing every footstep, conversation, or TV show coming through your walls? We feel you! No one has ever resisted the desire to have their private corner at home, especially when it comes to shared buildings and neighbouring walls. Soundproofing is no longer a luxury - it’s a necessity. The new, unnegotiable reality. 

The world gets louder, but soundproofing solutions get smarter. The result? DECIBOARD™ wall panels - they have already made it possible to help thousands reclaim their peace and focus. In this guide, we’ll unpack how wall soundproofing works and how to do it right, considering your space and noise challenges.

 

Why Do We Need to Soundproof Walls?

Extra noise is a health hazard! Studies show that daily household noise, combining airborne and impact noise (like TV, dogs barking, high heels), can keep stress hormones elevated and disrupt sleep cycles, increasing risks for cardiovascular disease and mental fatigue. 

In Europe, over 40% of residents encounter >55 dB noise levels daily, with the WHO recommending keeping indoor levels ≤35 dB for working and ≤30 dB for sleeping.

Practical tip: Retrofit walls with acoustic panels (like DECIBOARD™) to reduce airborne noise. This not only protects health but also boosts productivity, privacy, and overall property value. Additionally, you can further increase the soundproofing effect by treating your space with acoustic wall panels. 

How to Soundproof a Wall from Noisy Neighbours

Noise transmission through shared walls remains a top complaint, especially in older flats with thin partitions and little insulation. Here’s an enhanced approach to proper soundproofing:

1. Identify the type of noise – Speech, TV, music, footsteps. Airborne noise (e.g., voices) travels differently than impact noise (e.g., bangs).
2. Choose dense mass-plus-elastic systems – Products like DECIBOARD™ are engineered to block airborne noise via gypsum fibre cores and elastic mounting, effectively reducing penetration by up to 30 dB.
3. Seal all gaps – Even tiny cracks around sockets or pipes can undercut performance. Use acoustic caulk and foam gaskets to seal every opening.
4. Layer & overlap – Double-layer plasterboard with damping compounds can increase STC up to 10 points, making loud speech barely audible.
5. Combine with acoustic panels – These treatments absorb internal reverberation, improving speech clarity and comfort.

Applying these strategies has proven results in homes across Europe, often cutting noise complaints by over 50%.

 

 

Soundproofing Walls in Different Rooms

The soundproofing needs of a room depend heavily on its purpose:

Bedrooms

Soundproofing bedroom walls is essential for uninterrupted, high-quality sleep, especially in urban areas or apartment buildings where noise from lifts or neighbours is common. DECIBOARD™ panels can significantly reduce airborne noise, such as voices, helping create a serene environment conducive to deep rest. In shared households, this also prevents disturbances from other rooms, like early-morning kitchen activity or late-night entertainment.

Home Offices

Remote work demands focus, and focus demands quiet. Soundproofing the walls of your home office with DECIBOARD™ helps isolate your workspace from daily household noise: think children playing, kitchen sounds, or phone calls in the next room. For professionals in law, therapy, or finance, it also ensures conversations stay private.

Living Rooms and Entertainment Spaces

These areas are often sources of high-volume audio - TVs, gaming consoles, home theatres. Without soundproofing, sound easily leaks into surrounding rooms, causing disturbance or conflict. Applying DECIBOARD™ panels on shared walls ensures that your movie night doesn’t interrupt someone’s study session or sleep. It also enhances in-room acoustics, offering a richer and more immersive listening experience, especially when combined with acoustic panels.

Children’s Rooms

Children generate a lot of joyful noise - playing, jumping, music, or even practising instruments. At the same time, they’re sensitive to sleep disruptions and overstimulation. Soundproofing their rooms with DECIBOARD™ serves both purposes: it keeps their activities from spilling into other parts of the home and shields them from external distractions. For families with multiple children, soundproofing between shared rooms can make a big difference in concentration and rest.

 

 

What's Behind the Soundproofing Panels for Walls 

DECIBOARD™

6+ Key Benefits of Soundproofing a Wall with DECIBOARD

1. Ultra-thin and effective soundproofing panels
   
2. Easy to install with the provided tools and materials
   
3. Provides both sound and thermal insulation
   
4. Recommended by acousticians for proven efficiency
   
5. High density for effective soundproofing
   
6. Delivery takes only 5-7 days
   

Let's explore the essential techniques and considerations involved in soundproofing a wall with DECIBOARD™. Additionally, we will provide step-by-step instructions on the installation process, as well as share some expert tips to maximise the effectiveness of DECIBOARD™.

 

 

Your Guide on How to Soundproof a Wall with DECIBOARD™

1. Measure the area of your wall

• Measure the width and height of your wall in meters.
• Use the formula: Width in meters x Height in meters = The area of your wall.
• Round up the calculated area to the next whole number.
  

2. Calculate the quantity of DECIBOARD™ needed

• Each DECIBOARD™ panel measures 94 x 64 cm.
• One box of DECIBOARD™ covers 1.08 sqm and contains 2 panels.
  
• Divide the rounded-up area of your wall by the coverage of one box to determine the number of boxes needed.
  

3. Calculate the weight of DECIBOARD™ panels

• Each DECIBOARD™ panel weighs 13 kg.
• One box of DECIBOARD™ contains 2 panels, so the weight of one box is 26 kg.

4. Order DECIBOARD™ panels and TEAF

• Place an order for the calculated quantity of DECIBOARD™ pane
• Consider adding TEAF panels for finishing the DECIBOARD™ wall.
  

5. Prepare for installation

• Ensure the power outlets on the wall are isolated at the mains.
• If required, move or install power outlets with the help of a qualified electrician.
  
• Shake the foam glue canister well before use.
• Watch the installation video below for additional tips.
  

6. Installation process

• Use a pull-saw provided to cut DECIBOARD™ panels as needed. One saw can last for at least 30 sqm of DECIBOARD™ installation.
  
• Install DECIBOARD™ panels on the wall.
  
• Apply the foam glue to the back of each DECIBOARD™ panel before attaching it to the wall.
  
• Ensure proper alignment and overlap the edges to prevent noise flanking.

 

 

Creating a peaceful and quiet living environment is within reach, thanks to the remarkable soundproofing capabilities of DECIBOARD™. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can transform your walls into effective sound barriers, significantly reducing the intrusion of unwanted noise.

DECIBOARD™'s unique composition and design provide an ideal solution for enhancing acoustic privacy in various settings, from residential homes to commercial spaces. Its versatility allows for easy installation on existing walls, making it an accessible option for anyone seeking a more peaceful living environment.

Remember, the power to shape your auditory experience starts with a single step, and with DECIBOARD™, that step will lead you to a brand new world of wellbeing.

 

Additional Reading & References

• Noise Pollution Effects: Environmental Protection Agency. Noise and Its Effects on Health. Available at: EPA Noise Pollution.

• Types of Noise and Their Frequencies: World Health Organisation. Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region. 2018. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe. Available at: WHO Noise Guidelines.

• IdealHome, “How to soundproof from noisy neighbours” (Aug 2023)

• Acoustic Science Fundamentals: Everest, F. Alton, and Pohlmann, Ken C. (2015). Master Handbook of Acoustics. 6th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

• Soundproofing in Architecture: Brown, A. L., and Lam, K. C. (2017). Noise Pollution: Effects and Mitigation. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

• ConSoundancy, “SounBip SF, “Science Behind Soundproofing” (2023)

• Bip SF, “Science Behind Soundproofing” (2023)