ᐅ Sound Insulation for Upper Floor Partition Walls

Bauexperte schrieb:
That is why many builders of solid construction houses offer to build the interior walls of an attic floor (attic) as lightweight constructions. Yet again, many homeowners strongly object because a drywall-covered "wall" is not considered solid, stubbornly ignoring that there is hardly a better solution for their attic; sometimes it is really frustrating!

For me, all interior walls are installed as drywall partitions. If there are heavier loads (kitchen and bathroom), you just need to plan carefully in advance where to place them; otherwise, I see only advantages.

Bauexperte schrieb:
It is well known that

Is that really the case? Of course, we don’t know what the original architect told the OP at the time, but apparently the OP doesn’t remember the expert’s warning: "You can do it like that, but the soundproofing will be terrible [so if that matters to you, then…]".

In my opinion, that should have been exactly the architect’s responsibility! I mean, for the floor plan design you are (rightly) sent to the architect, but the builder is supposed to plan the soundproofing themselves?

Yes, that is correct.

Every architect – creative or not – understands the advantages and disadvantages of their preferred building materials and explains these to their paying clients. Only references guarantee independent architects a fulfilling professional life.

Why would the architect of the original poster not have addressed the issue of sound insulation in the house?

Regards, Bauexperte
Bauexperte

Bauexperte schrieb:
Why would the architect of the original poster not have addressed the issue of sound insulation in the house?

We can now take the original poster at their word:

andreasg. schrieb:
Unfortunately, the planning completely overlooked the sound insulation within our single-family house.

Or assume that their memory is mistaken or even accuse them of lying.

Personally, I can imagine that there are different kinds of architects (it goes without saying that there are quality differences, just as there is a range in high school and final exam grades). Of course, there may also be other reasons and circumstances involved.

Hello,

Bieber0815 schrieb:

And of course, there can be completely different reasons and circumstances.

This is the aspect that is often overlooked here, as the community of users tends to always trust the perceptions of other users.

Regards, Bauexperte

Bauexperte schrieb:
Hello,


In this specific case, it’s not simply the architect who decides, but you have made the decision about what should be installed in your house; even when you have a fixed-price contract with a general contractor. You could have asked ... Your planner could have explained the VDI 4100 standard to you. I also don’t see the need to be patronized everywhere and at all times; I don’t need people who, among other things, believe they have to do my thinking for me.

It is known that sound insulation no longer plays a significant role from about 30 cm (12 inches) thickness with perforated clay bricks (Poroton); consequently, 11.5 cm (4.5 inches) walls do not meet these requirements. That is why many builders of solid houses offer to build the interior walls of an attic floor with lightweight construction. Then again, many homeowners complain loudly because a wall covered with plasterboard is not “solid,” stubbornly ignoring that there is hardly a better solution for their attic; sometimes it’s really frustrating.

Get expert advice before you start experimenting. If a retrofit solution is possible, or if, for example, the floor insulation was done poorly, a professional will detect it and suggest alternatives that can help.

Happy New Year!

“It is known...”
Perhaps you can say that if you work in building consulting. But most people build a house only once, and although you can ask questions in forums, it’s simply impossible to think of everything.

If someone is now building or having built a solid house, they should reasonably expect that whispering or quiet reading in the neighboring room is not audible. I find it inappropriate to say “you only have yourself to blame.” The company should at least point out that narrow walls can lead to noise disturbances. If this is then ignored or a thinner wall is installed for cost reasons, that’s another matter.

Since we did much of the work ourselves, I also read extensively online. I was aware that aerated concrete performs significantly worse in sound insulation than sand-lime bricks. However, I did not expect it to be so dramatic.

Of course, you have to consider that aerated concrete does not have the same strength as sand-lime bricks. That’s why I already consider 11.5 cm (4.5 inches) walls borderline, especially if you want to attach heavy objects like a washbasin or cabinets in the bathroom.

To find a solution, I would start with simple improvements.
If you don’t hear anything downstairs when the children are playing upstairs, the floor is probably fine, so I would leave it alone for now.
You also said that the floor installer did a good job, so they likely installed an edge insulation strip properly, but maybe you remember that or can ask them.

FYI, we built with sand-lime bricks and are very satisfied with the walls. However, since the ceilings basically consist only of plasterboard, sound transmission from room to room was very noticeable, though not as dramatic as you described. That’s why we laid mineral wool, I believe 120 mm (5 inches) thick, under the ceiling/floor of the attic above the bedrooms and children’s rooms. Besides adding thermal insulation—which you will definitely notice in the attic (we have a warm roof)—the sound insulation has significantly improved (you no longer hear shower or normal noises like TV at normal volume in the next room at all (sometimes my wife does ;-p)), and the thermal insulation will save you money in the long run.

If you haven’t yet covered the attic floor with OSB boards or similar, this is a very simple and inexpensive way to improve sound insulation. Otherwise, you would need to remove the boards again and LABEL THEM (for example, marking them in rows with letter-number combinations so you can put them back in the correct order and avoid a puzzle), then install the mineral wool.

To get a (SUBJECTIVE) sense of whether this would help, one person can go into the attic while a second makes various noises or plays the radio in the attic below. Different tones (frequencies) should definitely be tested, as transmission can vary greatly. If the attic sounds quieter than the adjacent room, then the problem is more likely with the wall itself. In that case, you probably need to do work on both the ceiling and the walls.

For the walls, there is probably no simple, quick solution since doors, electrical installations, wallpaper, etc., would all have to be redone or modified.