Sound proofing of condo?
Question:I'm considering buying a condo and here is what the builder told me about the common walls:
Common walls are:
Single layer of 5/8 inch drywall, row of steel studs with R-11 batt insulation, space of 6 inches, row of steel studs with R-11 batt insulation, single layer of 5/8 inch drywall.
How sound proof will this kind of wall be? Does anyone know what the STC rating of such a wall would be? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/sound_trans...
Am I better off going with a poured concrete wall or will this be just as good?
Thanks!
Answers:
The steel studs are probably 3 1/2" thick along with 6" of space between gives you 13" (if I added right) of insulated space! In the 6" space there is also a fire break that is made of two layers of gypsum board probably 3/4" thick. I wish the space between my neighbors and me was the same.
You have plenty of space and shouldn't (sic) hear much sound unless your neighbors play their music really loud. You are correct though that a poured concrete wall is best.
What you have is sufficent
go with the poured concrete. the framed wall will dampen normal talking, but if you have screaming kids or a very "loud" couple next door, your going to know all the gossip. to be honest, i dont see how people can live like that, your neighbors are literally feet from you.
I'm not an expert, but I just can't resist answer questions when it comes to things like this. It sound like soundproofing has not been considered. It sounds like construction in a home and how two rooms are separated by steel/wood studs and dry wall. I guess the insulation adds some soundproofing, but it doesn't seem like it would help that much. Ask about the soundproof rating of the insulation. If this is being built for you, I would ask that Styrofoam panels be installed on the wall of your unit that separates the two units. We had to do that to my boss' office at work. We just added the Styrofoam over the drywall and painted it, but that doesn't seem appropriate for a dwelling. I don't know about sound transference of a concrete wall, though it sounds like it would be better. Just a thought.
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