ᐅ Poor external sound insulation with thermal insulation bricks
Created on: 26 Oct 2011 19:45
B
bauX2011
Our new house (built in 2011) was constructed using insulated bricks. Both the interior and exterior walls were finished with a breathable plaster. We now enjoy a very good indoor climate and effective thermal insulation, but unfortunately, we have been shocked to find that our exterior walls provide very little soundproofing against outside noise. In particular, the gable walls, which are perpendicular to the street, seem to capture the outdoor noise and amplify it almost like a resonance chamber. If you press your ear against one of these exterior walls as a car passes by, it feels as if the car is driving inside the wall. We have contacted the brick manufacturer about this issue. They are not aware of any sound insulation problems related to this product.
Has anyone else had similar experiences with insulated bricks? What measures have you taken to improve soundproofing afterward? We would be very grateful for any advice.
Has anyone else had similar experiences with insulated bricks? What measures have you taken to improve soundproofing afterward? We would be very grateful for any advice.
Hello,
What exactly is that supposed to achieve?
Seriously now. Either you actually have a structural issue, or you have extremely sensitive hearing—and no offense, but maybe you’re a bit sensitive.
These thermal insulation bricks naturally don’t offer optimal soundproofing, but it can’t be that bad. Getting professional advice beforehand would have been a good idea… but now the damage is done, and you should either accept it or hire an expert to assess whether there is a real defect.
But please don’t cover your walls additionally with expensive gypsum board.
Best regards
TomTom1 schrieb:
....adding mass, for example by installing gypsum boards (interior).
What exactly is that supposed to achieve?
Seriously now. Either you actually have a structural issue, or you have extremely sensitive hearing—and no offense, but maybe you’re a bit sensitive.
These thermal insulation bricks naturally don’t offer optimal soundproofing, but it can’t be that bad. Getting professional advice beforehand would have been a good idea… but now the damage is done, and you should either accept it or hire an expert to assess whether there is a real defect.
But please don’t cover your walls additionally with expensive gypsum board.
Best regards
E.Curb schrieb:
Hello,
What is this supposed to achieve?
Seriously though. Either you actually have a structural issue, or you have very sensitive hearing, and I mean that without offense.
These thermal insulation bricks obviously don’t provide optimal soundproofing, but it can’t be that bad. Prior consultation would have been helpful... but now the damage is done, and you either have to live with it or hire an expert to possibly identify a defect.
But don’t go and cover your walls with expensive drywall panels.
RegardsSo you mean you have no idea, no advice—and apparently no knowledge either—and what a homeowner should have done beforehand, you probably know now!
Well, thanks again for this "help."
Best regards,
TomTom1
H
Hans_Meier15 Nov 2011 16:06@bauX2011:
You definitely need an expert, preferably a publicly appointed and sworn specialist (official certification in sound insulation), to take a look at the whole situation. If they find any defects, they can provide an expert report.
If you haven’t paid your final invoice yet, it is within your rights to deduct the cost of the expert report from the next payment to your construction company.
Without an expert, your contractual partners will most likely not take you seriously at all!
This is the only way to have a chance to assert your rights and get the necessary corrections done. Unfortunately, this is quite common in construction.
You definitely need an expert, preferably a publicly appointed and sworn specialist (official certification in sound insulation), to take a look at the whole situation. If they find any defects, they can provide an expert report.
If you haven’t paid your final invoice yet, it is within your rights to deduct the cost of the expert report from the next payment to your construction company.
Without an expert, your contractual partners will most likely not take you seriously at all!
This is the only way to have a chance to assert your rights and get the necessary corrections done. Unfortunately, this is quite common in construction.
H
Hans_Meier15 Nov 2011 16:14Here is some information on this topic from
German Society
for Masonry Construction e.V.
1st edition 2006
Information sheet on sound insulation according to DIN 4109
"Protection against external noise:
The requirements of DIN 4109 for airborne sound insulation
of exterior building elements are specified as
the resulting sound insulation value of the entire exterior element
(e.g., exterior wall with window) depending on the relevant external noise level.
These requirements are currently undisputed and
considered to be the generally accepted state of the art.
Usually, the sound insulation of
the window determines the resulting sound insulation of the
exterior wall. With high external noise exposure
(noise level range ≥ V) and windows with high
sound insulation, careful design of the exterior wall is necessary.
If the external noise spectrum contains significant components
in the low-frequency range (≤ 200 Hz),
it is important to ensure that the sound insulation of the selected building elements
does not exhibit resonance-like dips in this range."
These resonances appear to be the case in your situation. However, this must be assessed by an expert!
German Society
for Masonry Construction e.V.
1st edition 2006
Information sheet on sound insulation according to DIN 4109
"Protection against external noise:
The requirements of DIN 4109 for airborne sound insulation
of exterior building elements are specified as
the resulting sound insulation value of the entire exterior element
(e.g., exterior wall with window) depending on the relevant external noise level.
These requirements are currently undisputed and
considered to be the generally accepted state of the art.
Usually, the sound insulation of
the window determines the resulting sound insulation of the
exterior wall. With high external noise exposure
(noise level range ≥ V) and windows with high
sound insulation, careful design of the exterior wall is necessary.
If the external noise spectrum contains significant components
in the low-frequency range (≤ 200 Hz),
it is important to ensure that the sound insulation of the selected building elements
does not exhibit resonance-like dips in this range."
These resonances appear to be the case in your situation. However, this must be assessed by an expert!
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