How to build a soundproof wall? How to choose soundproof wall materials?

Everyone has different housing needs. For those who are sensitive to sound or light sleepers, the most important factor is soundproofing. Noise from neighbors’ conversations, pets, or moving furniture can greatly affect the quality of home life. If you are troubled by noise, the following will share techniques for building indoor soundproof walls and selecting materials to help block unwanted noise and create a peaceful living environment!

How to Build a Soundproof Wall? 2 Methods You Should Know

To block sound transmission from adjacent spaces, an important principle is that the higher the material density, the better the soundproofing effect. For example, hollow doors have low density and are prone to sound leakage. Based on this principle, you can usually enhance density and soundproofing by either rebuilding the wall or applying specific materials to the existing wall. Here’s a detailed explanation.

Rebuild the Existing Wall into a Soundproof Wall

Poor indoor soundproofing is often due to walls that “leak sound.” Since sound can diffract and conduct very well, even a tiny gap in the wall can allow noise from neighbors to penetrate your space. To solve the problem fundamentally, you can choose to demolish the existing wall and renovate it into a soundproof RC wall or lightweight aggregate wall.

1. RC Wall

An RC wall is a reinforced concrete wall formed by pouring concrete over steel reinforcement. It offers excellent vibration resistance, waterproofing, and soundproofing, and has a very stable and strong structure. However, its disadvantages include being non-fireproof and heavy, which can place a load on the building.

2. Lightweight Aggregate Wall

Also called a high-durability wall, a lightweight aggregate wall is made from clay particles baked under high temperature and pressure mixed with cement. It is quick and easy to construct, with fireproofing, thermal insulation, load-bearing, and soundproofing capabilities. However, because it uses prefabricated construction, the material size is large and hard to transport, making construction costs higher than standard partitions or RC walls.

3. Brick Wall

In Taiwan, older apartments and high-rise buildings often use brick walls due to their affordability and decent soundproofing and moisture resistance. However, they take longer to construct, are heavy, can stress the building structure, and are prone to cracks or collapse during earthquakes.

4. Light Partition

Light partitions have become popular in recent years. They are built using lightweight materials such as wood, metal frames, or cement boards. Advantages include fast construction, lightweight, waterproofing, and moisture resistance. However, the soundproofing of the materials themselves is usually insufficient, so lightweight concrete, acoustic cotton, or glass wool is often added between the panels to improve soundproofing.

〈Further Reading: Where Can Light Partitions Be Used? A Complete Guide to Materials and Prices〉

Apply a Soundproof Layer on the Existing Wall

If you are limited by budget, construction time, or existing materials and cannot demolish the wall, you can apply a soundproof layer to the existing wall, such as acoustic cotton or soundproof blankets. This can achieve a certain level of soundproofing while also providing impact protection and aesthetic enhancement.

How to Choose Soundproof Wall Materials?

There are many materials for indoor soundproof walls, including glass wool, acoustic cotton, and soundproof blankets. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. You can refer to the summary below to find the most suitable material for your needs.

1. Glass Wool

Glass wool is primarily made from natural minerals such as quartz sand and limestone, combined with chemical additives like soda ash and borax. As an inorganic material, it can withstand high temperatures and provides excellent insulation and fire resistance. Its high-density, fine fiber structure converts the vibrational energy of sound waves into heat through friction with air pockets within the fibers, effectively absorbing and blocking high-frequency noise. Glass wool is ideal as a filler in soundproof walls or for vibration and noise reduction in vehicles and household appliances.

2. Acoustic Cotton

Acoustic cotton is mainly made from polyester fibers and foam materials. It is elastic, lightweight, and its structure can effectively block and absorb sound energy, reducing noise and echoes. Additionally, acoustic cotton can be decorated in various ways, such as painting or attaching wooden panels, making it both functional and aesthetic for soundproof walls.

3. Soundproof Blanket

Soundproof blankets, often used with wall panels, are made from rubber, plastic, polyurethane, or other materials to form a dense, smooth structure. Unlike acoustic cotton, which primarily absorbs sound, the main function of soundproof blankets is to block sound transmission and keep noise within a space. However, due to their smooth surface, sound reflection can sometimes occur.

4. Gypsum Board

Gypsum board is a common soundproof wall material made from natural gypsum. It is fire-resistant, moisture-proof, mold-resistant, and insulating. Depending on thickness, gypsum boards can achieve various levels of soundproofing, making them suitable for buildings that require good sound isolation, such as industrial plants, shops, and hotels.

5. Calcium Silicate Board

Calcium silicate board is a new type of eco-friendly building material made from calcium silicate and natural fibers. It is fire-resistant, durable, wear-resistant, shock-absorbent, and sound-absorbing. Its high density provides better soundproofing and thermal insulation, helping maintain indoor temperature stability while reducing noise transmission.

Comparison Table of Soundproof Wall Materials

4 Key Points to Consider When Choosing a Soundproof Wall

When choosing a soundproof wall, besides budget and soundproofing performance, you should also consider safety, earthquake resistance, and other factors. Evaluating these aspects will help you create a soundproof wall that meets your needs. Here are 4 key points to consider:

1. Safety: Ensure the materials meet national standards and do not release harmful substances.
2. Resistance to Climate Changes: Check the material's suitability for the environment. For example, in Taiwan, materials with good moisture resistance are necessary.
3. Fire Resistance: Ensure materials have excellent fire resistance to prevent fire spread in case of an accident.
4. Earthquake Resistance: Choose materials with good seismic stability to avoid cracking or collapse during earthquakes.

Conclusion

Soundproofing is a key factor affecting the quality of home life. Poor soundproofing allows noise to pass through gaps, disrupting daily routines and reducing living standards. If you want a quiet and comfortable space, we recommend Weiden Engineering. Our team has extensive experience in partition walls and has worked in biotechnology, commercial buildings, and precision technology sectors. Whether you need soundproof walls or fireproof partitions, we can help! Get a free consultation to have a professional design a partition solution tailored to your needs.

〈Further Reading: What Are Modular Panels? A Quick Guide to 4 Types of Modular Partition Construction〉