Does cavity wall insulation also act as soundproofing?

Question

I've recently bought a house and spent a fair amount decorating it. I've now moved in and discovered my neighbours make a hell of a lot of noise. I want to try and reduce this noise without having to put up soundproofing panels and having to redecorate.

Answer 1

to some degree it does, it is all according to the R factor of the insulation. Higher the R factor , the better the sound breakdown. Standard construction for walls are 2x4 inside and out {I am going to assume you are talking about outside walls} if the walls are 2x6 frames, then you can add extra layers of insulation to cut back on the outside noise also you can use expandable foam on outside walls "only" for insulation and it works better for breaking down the noise. You put the foam inside the walls by drilling a small hole in the drywall and spraying it inside the cavity. If you have never done this before, recommended to get a professional to do it because you could damage your walls real easy and end up costing more. Inside walls are a little bit more, you can add pictures, wall hangings or put up sound proof tiles thats about all you can do.

Answer 2

Cavity Wall Sound Insulation

Answer 3

I believe it will have a small effect on some types of sound but any noise transmitted through the structure (low frequency and vibration etc) will go through the wall ties. (sorry if this isn't 100% but it has been years since I did acoustics!)

As far as I am aware, cavity insulation (assuming you are talking about injection types) is to the external walls only (as it involves drilling holes in the fabric) and, as such, will not help the internal wall that is presumably the problem ... the foam doesn't go right around the house to any extent.

Your choices seem to be asking your neighbours to cool it or maybe strapping and insulating the internal wall although wall hangings might help also.

Sorry it isn't an easy fix.

Answer 4

I would say cavity wall insulation doesn't sound proof, but helps a little. (We've just had it done and its like lots of cotton wall. )

Also, I think you'll find, you can't put it in internal walls (as there's usually only one wall between you and the house next door), hence why its called cavity wall insulation as it goes in between your outside external brick wall and the walls inside your house. I've never heard of it being put inbetween internal walls to be honest.

Depending on what sort of noise the neighbours are making, I would go next door and politly ask them to tone it down a little, especially if its late at night. I could be that if the house has been empty, they may not have realised the noise volume they have.

Also do they have kids. If this is the case, then I think you may have a problem !!!

Answer 5

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RE:
Does cavity wall insulation also act as soundproofing?
I've recently bought a house and spent a fair amount decorating it. I've now moved in and discovered my neighbours make a hell of a lot of noise. I want to try and reduce this noise without having to put up soundproofing panels and having to redecorate.

Answer 6

Do not leave windows open, that's stupid. The condensation is due to temp. differences ie glass of ice water will sweat. There are some window insulators that are relatively inexpensive that will help this problem if not fix it. These kits contain heat shrink plastic that will make the window more efficient thus controlling the problem. Any person who lives in that house will have had the same problem and it can lead to a mold growing which can become hazardous to your health. Make sure you do everything possible to minimize moisture, make sure dryer vent is going to the exterior and vent in bathroom is turned on while showering and so forth. Good Luck and be safe.

Answer 7

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I think that your surveyor is probable right The average person gives off 17 litres of vapour in the course of 24 hours, add to this bad vapour management of household appliances and one gets the problem that you have. Before you take the advice of the many here, you should check you vapour management capabilities. Is there an extractor fan in the bathroom and is it dimensioned to do the job, is it humidity controlled "that means" does in starts automatically when the room humidity rises? Is there an extractor fan over the cooking hob and is it used? Is laundry dried indoors or do you use a non condensing clothes drier? However there is a very good solution to the problem of poor vapour management and that is to install a "Heat Recovery Unit" such a unit will constantly exchange the air inside the house keeping it vapour free.The unit works by extracting the inside air. This air is then passed through a heat exchange condenser. The heat that is extracted here is then mixed with fresh air and then pumped back in to the house. Air from the inside of the house and air from the outside are never mixed, it's only the heat that is transferred from the outgoing to the incoming air. Such a unit can have a positive effect on ones heating bills,because it cost money to make vapour. Did your surveyor not mention this possibility?

Answer 8

WHEN I HAD MY HOUSE BUILT I HAD INSULATION PUT BETWEEN THE INTERIOR WALLS. THIS MAY HELP SOME BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS WORTH THE EXPENSE. YOU MAY NEED TO TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBOR AND ASK THEM TO LOWER THEIR NOISE. IF THIS DOES NT WORK CALL THE POLICE AND MAKE THEM TAKE ACTION. MOST CITIES HAVE NOISE ORDINANCES.

Answer 9

It will to a degree. See below...

Answer 10

to some extint yes