does cavity wall insulation provide good sound proofing?

Question

Modern houses seem to have cardboard walls, Is Cavity Wall insulation an effective way of reducing neighbour noise or are the benefits minimal

Answer 1

Anything to break up the empty airspace will help. Fire resistant foam is best, fiberglass nice and loose, but completely filling the cavity. If you want to be creative with materials, consider a carpet for the wall.

Answer 2

If the wall is 6" or thicker, yes cavity insulation will significantly reduce through wall noise. Unfortunately most internal walls are 4" thick.

The best way to reduce sound is to build a a insulated double wall where the framing of the first wall is parallel but at least 1 cm from the framing supporting the other side. The wood, framing supporting a standard wall is the major conductor of sound through the wall. By breaking the through the wall framing most of the sound will be stopped. Insulation then adds to the reduction.

Answer 3

I'm a custom builder, and my homes are exceptionally quiet. There are a couple ways to accomplish this.

Wall cavity insulation will help, but it works best if it dampens sound vibrations in the drywall attached to it. Fiberglass does not do that very well, but sprayed cellulose insulation does a terrific job of it. This method is easy to use in new construction, but not in remodel. The insulation is sprayed in wet with a dilute adhesive. It sticks to the outer wall, and becomes a "cake" after drying. The walls have to closed on one side (usually the outside) and be fully stud-space exposed inside.

A second method is to use a double layer of drywall. This adds mass and has a good sound deadening effect, but less than the cellulose method. It also costs more and complicates finish because the wall is thicker, but can be done as a remodel step.

Answer 4

You can fill an empty, unobstructed cavity by using a 3" hole-saw at the top and stuffing fiberglass, mineral wool or cellulose in small enough clumps that it falls to the bottom of the cavity. Some places require more "noggins" than others, so you might have to repeat this halfway down the wall to fill the bottom cavity. I like to top off the fill with clay cat litter, sand or dry mortar mix; the added mass compacts the rest of the fill and the added friction helps damp vibrations.

Answer 5

Any insulation will help prevent sound from passing from one room to another.

I would seriously consider replacing the windows first before I pay someone to insulate the walls

Answer 6

I think cavity walls are the external walls to a building which face the outside. The internal party-walls between houses in a terrace or between flats have to comply with fire regulations and as such I don't think they can have spaces in them. (UK)

Answer 7

no you need something much denser..best is rock wall ..very dense and works well first fix metal studs and infill really tightly with drywall screws plasterboards to steel studs finish off to suit your self

Answer 8

polystyrene is better and insulates the home too

Answer 9

I'm not entirely sure...but I suppose so.