There are many claims, statics, numbers and opinions on sound control wall layering. It is most confusing which materials and assemblies are the best way to go. Different testing methods, different claims from the same tests, competing manufacturers claiming to have the best solution, blogs and testimonies on the web, etc., etc. Without real world experience, gathering this conflicting information can produce a poorly informed decision, wasting precious time and money.
I have accumulated years of experience building wall systems. Additionally I have performed forensics on hundreds of different rooms, demolished failed walls and augmented thousands of square feet of sound control walls and ceilings. Let’s start at the beginning.
The best wall will have all of these characteristics; Stiff framing, high value insulation, entrapped air, decoupling, and mass. Plus a very important but often missed spec; the wall must not be the same on both sides. I emphasize this because it is the most common error I see. Any wall, tested with the same material on both sides then compared to adding one layer to one side will significantly test better due to the simple fact that they are not in tune with one another.
There is scientific proof engineered drywall is preferable over regular drywall. But the whole story is that drywall is a poor sound isolator, thousands of times more efficient than air as a conductor of sound. Testing proves viscoelastic glue in a constrained layer dampening system adds value. But may not be a pragmatic choice. Regardless of manufacturer's claims, there is very little said about
what the finished room sounds like.So here it is, drum roll please, …. Our minimum recommendation for walls in critical audio rooms is………DRYWALL / VINYL / DRYWALL. If you want to do more, great, there are lots of ways to go, and we can help. From my experience, whether you purchase from us or not, your best choice, best sounding place to start = Drywall / Vinyl / Drywall. Read Instructions for Sound Control Wall Layering found on the PLANS tab of our website and never, ever, ever, do the same thing on both sides of the wall or install drywall / soundboard / drywall. Rest assured there are many that may disagree and there are many people that believe Elvis is alive.
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