Wall

Domestic noise comes from a variety of source, not just noisy neighbours. A common problem is the sound of noisy appliances, especially washing machines and shower pumps, reverberating around a room or cupboard and then transmitting the noise throughout the house. If the neighbours are the problems, it can be resolved by using acoustic wall insulation to soundproof a party wall, floor or ceiling. Thin plasterboard wallboards backed with glass mineral wool will provide both acoustic and thermal insulation.

They are designed to save on any reduction of space in the room and cut down on transmitted TV noise and conversation. Earth wool flexible slabs are a combination of wool and rock minerals and are available in a wide density range as well as in rigid and semi-rigid varieties. They will work well in older homes as they are rot-proof and will not encourage fungal or mould growth. As they are non-wicking, they add a waterproof protection to the building. New builds or new flat conversations have to comply with current building regulations concerning noise.

This is where high performance plasterboard is an ideal method of soundproofing. The boards are made from aerated calcium sulphate di-hydrate - essentially a foamed standard plaster mix - that is mixed with fibres and fillers and contained between tough linings and edges that are bound. The plaster-filler-fibre composite is bound and stabilised with starch. These boards weigh 10 kg and are designed specifically for domestic applications. They can be fitted to ceilings, lining systems and stud partitions.

The boards can also be plastered, although the plaster coating should not be thinner than 2 mm. Barrier mats provide a good solution to noise from steel fittings and vibrations from plumbing, as well as around the casings of machinery on industrial premises. They provide a high quality acoustic insulation across a wide frequency range. The matting can also be attached to ceilings with very little loss of height and works well as a barrier curtain in office premises. The matting is about 2 mm thick, is flexible and can be laid in place easily. The matting can be fitted on masonry walls by attaching it to pre-installed timber battens.