When people have a noise problem, their first thought is often: “I need soundproofing.” But what exactly does soundproofing mean? And who should you contact to determine what needs to be done?
That is where a soundproofing consultant, also known as an acoustical consultant, can help.
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What Is Soundproofing?
In practical terms, soundproofing means reducing unwanted sound transmission from one space to another.
Every building provides some resistance to sound. Walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, and other building components all reduce sound transmission to some degree. The question is whether they provide enough sound isolation for the space's intended use.
For example, ordinary construction may be perfectly adequate between two offices but inadequate between:
Soundproofing is therefore much more than adding insulation to a wall. It involves understanding how sound is generated, how it travels through a building, and what construction changes can reduce it effectively.
Soundproofing is a specialized area of building acoustics, a branch of acoustical engineering.
Sound Can Travel in More Than One Way
One reason soundproofing problems can be difficult to solve is that sound does not necessarily travel directly through the wall or ceiling separating two spaces.
It may travel through:
These indirect transmission routes are commonly called flanking paths.
Structure-borne noise creates another challenge. Footsteps, mechanical equipment, elevators, pumps, and other sources can generate vibration that travels through the building structure and radiates as sound elsewhere.
As a result, improving the most obvious wall or ceiling may not solve the problem.
What Does a Soundproofing Consultant Do?
A soundproofing consultant investigates the problem and determines what measures are likely to provide the required improvement.
Depending on the project, the work may include:
For new construction, the consultant can become involved during the design stage, when sound-control measures can usually be incorporated most efficiently.
For an existing building, the consultant investigates the problem and recommends appropriate modifications.
A professional soundproofing and acoustics consultant stays current with developments in building acoustics and soundproofing technology. This includes reviewing relevant technical literature, research, industry standards, manufacturer data, and specialized resources such as the Soundproofing Calculator website.
Why Not Simply Ask a Contractor?
A contractor can be very good at constructing a soundproofing assembly. However, deciding what should be built is a different question.
Before construction begins, someone needs to determine:
Where is the sound actually coming from? How is it reaching the receiving space? Which building components are responsible? What level of improvement is required? And which proposed solution is likely to achieve it?
Without answering these questions, you risk spending substantial money improving the wrong part of the building.
For example, rebuilding a wall may provide little benefit if most sound enters through the ceiling, ventilation system, windows, or a structural flanking path.
An independent acoustical consultant's role is to diagnose the problem and recommend an appropriate solution. The contractor's role is then to implement that solution correctly.
Soundproofing and Room Acoustics Are Different
People sometimes confuse soundproofing with sound absorption.
They are related, but they solve different problems.
Soundproofing primarily addresses sound travelling from one space to another.
Sound absorption controls sound within the same room by reducing reflections and reverberation. Acoustic wall panels, ceiling panels, and other absorptive materials can make a room less reverberant and more comfortable, but they generally do not provide substantial sound isolation between rooms.
This distinction matters because people often suggest acoustic panels as a solution to a sound-transmission problem when the real issue requires changes to the building construction.
When Should You Consider Hiring a Soundproofing Consultant?
Professional advice can be particularly valuable when you are planning or dealing with:
The larger the proposed construction expense, the more important it becomes to determine whether the proposed solution is technically appropriate before the work begins.
Getting Soundproofing Right, the First Time
Effective soundproofing requires more than choosing a product advertised as “acoustic” or adding another layer of material.
A successful solution starts with understanding the noise source, how it travels through the building, the required reduction level, and the limitations of the existing construction.
A qualified soundproofing or acoustical consultant can identify these factors and develop recommendations appropriate for the particular building and noise problem.
That professional assessment can be a relatively small part of the overall project cost—and can help avoid spending considerably more on soundproofing construction that does not solve the problem.
Failing to consult an acoustical consultant before construction begins can result in costly mistakes and expensive remediation. My article, “Botched Duplex Soundproofing,” describes a real-world example.
