Basement Soundproofing FAQs

Basement Soundproofing for Recording/Practice Studios

Q:    I could use your professional advice about how to best soundproof the sound leaks in the adjoining wall between condo basements before constructing a proper acoustic wall on our side for a recording/practice studio we are building. We will have double 5/8 inch drywall separated from the studs by isolation clips, and there will also be an airspace between the poured concrete wall and the studs. As it now stands, there is a two inch space between the top of the poured concrete wall and the underside of the main floor flooring that has sufficient enough air leaks that a listener in the adjoining basement can hear an electric guitar as if it were in the same room. It makes sense to me to first do something to correct this before building our studio wall. There are some boards filling in this space now. What product(s) and techniques do you suggest?

A:    It's best to stud the wall out and caulk with an acoustic sealant. Use a double layer of studs if necessary. You're going to have to stud it out eventually anyway. Run 2 inch x 4 inch studs around the perimeter of the wall and seal with an acoustic sealant. Then add 16 inch on center studs with staggered horizontal braces. Stud isolators would help with vibration. You might also consider using QuietBarrier™ nailed to the studs which will add an STC or Sound Transmission Class of at least 31. If you later add your 5/8 inch floated wall you're easily up around an STC of 60 which will give you the desired results you need.

Here are links to the materials I mentioned:

Acoustic Sealant:

www.soundprooffoam.com/acoustical_sealant.html

Stud Isolators (U-Boats)

www.soundprooffoam.com/stud_beam_isolators.html

QUIETBARRIER™:

www.soundprooffoam.com/quiet-barrier.html



Mike Crabtree, Key Accounts