In this blog, we will discuss in detail, all the possible ways through which, we can make a brick wall soundproof.
The hustle and bustle of external disturbances will be greatly stifled, and your space will no longer be an echo chamber for your every word or movement. Soundproofing brick walls can turn a rather uncomfortable living situation into a contented one, where the hustle and bustle of external disturbances will be greatly stifled.
When it comes to soundproofing your area, there are a few things to remember. We’ve gathered some of the most beneficial and practical strategies to help you achieve the calm atmosphere of your dreams, whether you’re attempting to construct a quiet environment in which to focus and work or simply seeking to obtain some well-deserved privacy from neighbours.
How to soundproof a brick wall?
You’re probably thinking about what you could do to soundproof a brick wall once it’s been constructed. Perhaps many of these processes were not included in the construction process, or these planned stages were just insufficient. Rest assured that there are still a few options available.
When attempting to soundproof a wall, the density of the wall will be the most important thing to consider.
It’s critical to comprehend all of the underlying concepts of soundproofing in connection to the requirements of the wall or room in question since one could waste a lot of money on the process only to have the soundproofing issue persist.
On a very serious note, a professional opinion is a must before doing anything by yourself, as this will at the very least provide expert insight on what will and will not work for the building structure.
Due to its physical properties and characteristics, soundproofing a brick wall provides unique obstacles, making it particularly easy to soundproof.
Following are the best possible ways through which we can make a brick wall soundproof, cheaply and effectively.
- Soundproofing Sealant or Caulk
- Adding a Drywall Layer
- Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)
- Insulating the Wall
- Decoupling
Soundproofing Sealant or Caulk
If the wall has any fractures or holes through which sound waves can pass, they should be sealed before proceeding with more complicated solutions.
Soundproofing sealant is quite inexpensive, may be used to close up any spaces that allow for ‘flanking,’ and can serve as a good starting point for other soundproofing techniques.
How to apply a soundproof sealant?
Following is the stepwise procedure:
- Place the sealant into a caulking gun.
- Look out for the wholes where sound is leaking.
- Press the sealant into the hole and fill them up with multiple coating
- It will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to dry the sealant.
| Material Needed | Tools Required |
| Soundproofing sealant | caulking gun. |
Adding a Drywall Layer
This approach is common and successful, and it works by adding heft and thickness to the sound waves, reducing their travel distance. It’s a fantastic long-term solution because it’s easy to do and doesn’t require tearing down the original brick wall.
Increasing the overall mass of the wall will help to create an atmosphere where sound vibrations are more difficult to flow through or bounce about. Only very low frequencies will be able to slip through.
Sound will bounce off the drywall before reaching the brick wall if you add a layer of double drywall that is distinct from the brick wall.
Although two layers of drywall are the most popular, you can add as many layers as you need, and applying Green Glue during the process will provide an additional barrier.
Resonating frequencies can be reduced by treating the wall with soundproofing materials like Green Glue. The wall will need to be padded with drywall before being treated with soundproofing material, and then a layer of drywall will be fixed following treatment.
Green Glue might help to reduce the transfer of low frequencies to the wall. Green glue has the power to transform soundwaves into heat and is particularly excellent in dealing with low-frequency sound energy and reducing sound in the building’s interior.
It’s inexpensive and recommended if you’re having trouble with low noise frequencies.
How to use Green Glue?
This is a three-step procedure for using green glue.
- On the backside of the second drywall, apply many coats of green glue; preferably, 1-2 tubes should suffice.
- Now press down this drywall on top of the existing wall, keeping in mind that it will dry in 15 minutes.
- Attach the second drywall to the existing drywall with screws.
As a result, green sealant can help us damper soundwaves and minimise resonance indirectly and is the most appropriate method for soundproofing existing walls.
| Materials Needed | Tools Needed |
| Green Glue | Dispensing gun |
Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)
Mass loaded vinyl is an excellent source of non-resonant mass and comes in a variety of types and price ranges. It’s made of vinyl, which has a lot of mass and is naturally dense, but still has a lot of flexibility.
MLV can be used on walls, floors, and ceilings that are isolated. Its mass relative qualities are what allow it to reduce sound transmission and deal with excessive noise.
It comes in a range of shapes and sizes, and the cheapest MLV is made from less expensive materials. Some types of high-quality MLV are extruded and contain polymeric plasticizers that give the MLV strength and stability.
MLV can be used to soundproof existing walls or surfaces, and it works equally well when positioned loosely or tautly against the soundproofing region, as well as when attached to framings or between layers of drywall.
As a result, you can install it in whatever method is most comfortable for you and best suits the wall or space in the issue.
| Material Needed |
| Mass loaded vinyl |
Insulating the Walls
Adding insulation to the internal space of the wall, depending on how the wall was built, maybe a viable alternative. This will require the services of a professional, but it is relatively inexpensive and takes little time to execute.
Fibreglass is popular because it dries quickly, and cellulose is more environmentally friendly.
Decoupling
The basic concept of decoupling, as mentioned in the core elements of soundproofing, is to accept soundwaves and break the wavelength to stop the soundwave and its associated vibrations from moving.
Because soundwaves are contained within the air chambers, they are less likely to pass through the other side of the wall. The procedure requires the construction of two walls separated by a small space. Because the goal of decoupling will be lost if an air chamber is missing, loosely fitted insulation between studs is widely thought to be crucial for its efficacy.
Decoupling can be done through different methods such as:
A room within a room
Double stud wall
The Staggered Stud Wall
Sound Isolation Clip
Another good technique to decouple single walls is to use studs, which can be used to dampen sound. The sound isolation clips are inserted into the hat channels, and the drywall is screwed to the channel to avoid contact with the studs.
Decoupling methods are all more complicated approaches to soundproofing, and some aren’t cheap or straightforward. It may not be possible to tackle these ways right once, so it’s a good idea to start with some of the simpler options. It is, nevertheless, extremely effective.
Conclusion
Sound is produced by a variety of sources and must travel via continuous media to reach its destination. The medium could be anything that can operate as a conductor for soundwaves, depending on the medium’s particular physical features.
Air is one of the major media through which sound vibrations travel, even though there are numerous types of mediums that can work as a conductor for sound. The sound will continue to travel by bouncing off molecules and particles it encounters.
When it comes to soundproofing, the goal is to ensure that soundwaves and related vibrations are controlled to the point where sound from outside sources is blocked and soundwave movement within the room is controlled.
When evaluating any of these options, the factors of soundproofing play an important role, and because successful soundproofing requires a combination of these elements, a combination of solutions may be more effective overall.
There are several options for soundproofing a brick wall, but the ideal method will depend on the characteristics of the room or wall in issue, the budget, the timeframe, and the level of soundproofing required.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How to Soundproof a Brick Wall?
How to soundproof a brick wall?
There are several options for soundproofing a brick wall, but the ideal method will depend on the characteristics of the room or wall in issue, the budget, the timeframe, and the level of soundproofing required. However, we have discussed all the possible solutions in detail in this blog.
Is double brick wall soundproof?
Due to the high density of the mass in a double brick wall, double brick prevents sound from travelling through it. The air or insulating air in between the walls further prevents the noise from passing through it. But, of course, it also depends upon the intensity of the sound, which can be heard on either side of the wall.
How thick is a double brick cavity wall?
A typical cavity width of a brick wall is 50mm.
Why is there space between brick walls?
The masons need to leave 1” of air space between the frame and the brick wall. Brick and mortar are very porous and will let the water pass through, during the process this 1” gap plays a vital role in draining the moisture out of the cavity.
How much does a brick wall reduce noise?
Due to the mass, it possesses a brick wall is supposed to reduce the amount of noise up to 50%. Doesn’t matter how small or tall the wall is it the wall itself and concrete will always, reduce the amount of noise coming from the traffic and outer intrusive.
How wide is the gap between bricks?
The standard brick joint is 3/8 inch. Proper brick bond is important in even distribution of load, strength and ultimate waterproofing from an architecture point of view. Keeping all these factors in mind 3/8 inches is the perfect gap joint between bricks.
