Have you ever wanted to soundproof a room and thought to yourself if cinder block walls are soundproof? Well, in this article, we have asked the experts and did our research on whether or not cinder block walls are soundproof. Join us as we discuss the topic below.
Cinder block walls are one of the most common materials used for soundproofing rooms. This is because of its thickness, durability, and affordability. But there are still some modifications that you would have to add to achieve total soundproofing.
Soundproofing tips, other materials used for sound blocking, and devices used for listening through walls are only some of the sub-topics that we will be discussing below. So if you are interested, continue reading to learn more about cinder block walls and soundproofing.
How to soundproof cinder block walls?
We all know the robust qualities of concrete because it is used for heavy-duty construction that is designed to take a beating every day.
Concrete walls do have tons of benefits, however, do not offer true 100% soundproofing. No matter how big or thick a cinder block wall may be, it will not prevent sounds from going through.
We know that you may be confused as we did say earlier that cinder block walls are one of the most common materials used for soundproofing, but it is only one of the major parts of a system that ultimately suppresses sound, which we will be explaining below.
It is the air gaps in walls that will ultimately trap the sound and make it soundproof. You can have this addressed while a wall is being constructed, but there are still methods that you can do to existing walls. And in this section, we will be discussing some from both methods.
Soundproof Drywall
This type of drywall is different from others as it is thicker and more sturdy because of the triple-layer construction used for its construction.
Soundproof drywall panels are made out of two layers of traditional 1/4-inch drywall or sheetrock with an additional rubber-like sheet placed in between, that helps in dampening sound.
Paired with a cinder block wall, the soundproofing quality of this is instantly effective as drywall is commonly used in schools to separate classrooms, for example.
This type of drywall is also common in basement remodeling. An additional feature to this is the aesthetics of drywall, as it is very easy to decorate.
Acoustic Slab
This is a type of insulation used in walls that has two purposes: one is insulating or protecting walls from damage brought about by moisture; the other is offering extra soundproofing in your walls. As this is insulation, it is designed to be placed inside your walls.
An acoustic slab is often a composition blend of wool, glass, and mineral fibers. They can also be used as insulators for ceilings and floors, making a room more soundproof.
Since it is made out of glass and wool blend, not only is it naturally fire-resistant, but it is also often recycled materials.
The low thermal conductivity that acoustic slabs have makes it an easier alternative to regular insulators. Making it a great value for the cost.
Resilient Channels & Sound Isolation Clips
One of the most effective ways of soundproofing is wall decoupling, it is essentially making two separate walls which also separates the vibration caused by sound -making it an amazing soundproofing construction technique.
One type of wall decoupling is by making resilient channels and sound isolation clips. When you say resilient channels, these are metal channels screwed to the studs. These metal channels would then be installed to drywall, making the drywall and studs contactless with one another.
While isolation clips use a furring channel, also called a hat channel, where drywall is installed that avoids contact from the studs. This is an easier way as clips are only installed in studs instead of a whole metal channel running across the studs.
How do you soundproof a shared wall?
Soundproofing can come in handy especially if you are sharing a wall with your neighbor. It is one way of keeping your privacy and also avoiding any disturbance to your neighbor as well.
If you like playing instruments, particularly loud ones, it would be wise to have your room soundproofed. So in this section, we will be teaching you some very easy hacks that you can do yourself to achieve soundproofing for your walls.
Install sound barriers on your wall
Unbeknownst to everyone, there is a very common household item that nearly everyone has that has great sound suppressing qualities making them great sound barriers for your walls; these are paper egg trays.
Paper egg trays can be used as a piece of soundproofing equipment and can be an alternative to the foam strips that are usually used for soundproofing. As real dedicated soundproofing equipment can be a bit expensive, carton egg trays offer a bang for the buck alternative.
You can put adhesive on them and stick them on your walls. they are also very easy to decorate as you can paint them with any color you want.
Click here to see paper egg trays on Amazon.
Invest in wall hangings
Another great choice for simple soundproofing is simply hanging things on walls. Now, this is a tricky one as you would need to see if your wall is sturdy enough for plenty of wall hangings, as the more wall hangings, the better the sound dampening.
Another thing to consider is the weight of the object being hung. The heavier and the bigger the object hanging on the wall, the better the suppression.
If you are deciding to do this, check first if your wall can bear the weight that you are about to put and you would have to do some wall drilling to insert the holders of the hangings.
Soundproof curtains and carpets
One obvious hack to achieve soundproofed shared walls is by simply putting up soundproof curtains paired with thick carpets on your floor.
Thick and heavy drapes like winter curtains are good examples of soundproof curtains as they are made with extra layers compared to normal ones.
If you have hardwood floors, the carpet will help you contain the sound and also serve as a great heat insulator.
What is classed as unreasonable noise for neighbors?
It depends on how tolerable your neighbors are. Some neighbors are more sensitive to noise compared to others. You can also be disturbing your neighbors without you even noticing it, especially if they are shy or introverted.
The best way is to always practice courtesy and respect. Understand that you are not the only person living in your street or the apartment complex. Be wary of playing any loud music or videos especially late at night or very early in the morning.
Practice respect and put yourself in their shoes. Most apartments or condos also have rules when it comes to noise, we highly recommend that you follow this to avoid any scuffle with your landlord and your neighbors.
When dealing with noise-sensitive neighbors, it is best to try the tips and tricks to soundproof your walls that we have mentioned above. This can save you from any altercations with your neighbor and also gives you a sense of freedom of being as loud as possible inside the comfort of your personal space.
In conclusion
Cinder block walls are good in soundproofing, but they are not 100%. There are a ton of things that you can do to make a concrete wall soundproof, even existing ones.
It is also a smart move to add some sort of soundproofing especially if you are living with a shared wall. In this way, you will not just have extra privacy, but also not be a disturbance to your neighbor.
Here are some previous articles that we have written about cinder blocks and walls that might interest you, go ahead and check them out.