Calculators/ Interior/Soundproofing Calculator
Soundproofing Calculator
Materials for soundproofing a wall or ceiling.
Soundproofing Calculator
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Soundproofing works by mass, decoupling and sealing, in that order of importance. The single biggest mistake is leaving gaps: an unsealed outlet box or a quarter inch gap at the floor undoes most of what the expensive materials bought you.
How this is calculated
- Insulation absorbs sound inside the cavity but does little on its own: a bare stud wall is about STC 33, insulation alone takes it to roughly STC 39.
- Doubling the drywall adds mass. Resilient channel decouples the new layer from the studs, which is where the big gains come from.
- Mass loaded vinyl adds a dense limp barrier. It helps, but only after decoupling and sealing are already done.
- Seal every edge, seam and penetration with acoustic sealant. This is the cheapest step and the one that determines whether the rest worked.
Frequently asked questions
What STC rating do I need?
STC 50 is the usual code minimum between dwellings. STC 55 makes normal speech inaudible; STC 60 handles home theatre and drums.
Does egg carton foam work?
No. Foam absorbs reflections inside a room, which is acoustic treatment, not soundproofing. It does essentially nothing to stop sound passing through a wall.